Female Founders Fund
Founders Forum Group is a global community and group of businesses empowering entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys. They champion entrepreneurial innovation and prioritize the needs of founders through networking & events, education, professional services, investment, and philanthropy. The group's vision is to create an environment for collaboration among founders, investors, CEOs, and leaders to discuss the future of tech-enabled industries, new technologies, and evolving business models. The organization convenes invitation-only forums in various locations to unite successful founders, thought leaders, and investors to address significant questions. They aim to be key drivers of the startup ecosystem, enabling connections, deal-making, and supporting entrepreneurs through various stages of their company lifecycle, from pre-seed to post-exit.
Fiedler Capital
Fiedler Capital is a pre-seed VC firm focused on funding breakout companies on the peripheries of Europe. They aim to be the first check investor for overlooked founders from these ecosystems. They back founders who are defying the odds and building significant companies.
Fifty Years
Fifty Years is a pre-seed and seed-focused VC firm that invests in founders using technology to solve significant global challenges. Their investment strategy centers around backing scientists, engineers, and hackers who are building massive businesses while addressing critical issues such as the climate crisis, disease, connectivity, and malnutrition. The firm's ethos is deeply rooted in supporting founders; they see themselves as founders and are backed by a network of successful founders of billion-dollar tech companies who provide mentorship and guidance to their portfolio companies. They aim to be more than just investors; they want to provide a cheat code for starting a deep tech startup.
Final Frontier
Final Frontier is a Nordic VC fund focused on backing visionary founders building critical space and defence tech to help Europe regain control of its future. They believe Europe has the potential to lead again in these sectors, and their investments reflect this ambition. They aim to support startups across the space and defence technology value chain, from satellite systems and propulsion to drones, cybersecurity, and autonomous platforms. The fund focuses on pre-seed and seed stage companies, preferring teams with working prototypes ready for real-world deployment. They are particularly interested in companies that contribute to European sovereignty and address critical needs in the space and defence sectors. Their long-term strategy involves scaling up fund sizes over time to continue supporting companies as they grow.
Flori Ventures
Flori Ventures is a seed-stage fund investing in entrepreneurs building the future financial system and climate crisis solutions. They aim to back founders and leaders who tap into financial and climate innovation to solve real-world problems at scale. The firm believes in supporting founders from pre-seed to pre-series A stages. They have backed 80+ startups with $30M+ to help founders solve impactful problems in big markets.
Founders Forum Group
Founders Forum Group (FFG) operates as a global community and a group of businesses aimed at empowering entrepreneurs across all stages of their journey. Their core strategy revolves around building and leveraging a peer-to-peer network of inspiring founders, pioneering investors, inventive CEOs, and impactful leaders. FFG facilitates connections, knowledge sharing, and deal-making through invitation-only forums held in iconic locations worldwide, addressing critical questions facing the tech industry. They are not solely an investment firm but provide investment opportunities, educational programs, professional services, and philanthropic initiatives. They aim to be key drivers of the startup ecosystem and provide opportunities for making friends, doing deals, and celebrating life, according to testimonials on their website. The group focuses on creating an environment where founders can openly discuss challenges and build relationships that can lead to business transactions. They support entrepreneurs from pre-seed to post-exit, evidenced by the range of services and businesses within the Founders Forum Group ecosystem, including venture studios, seed programs, and accelerator programs through Founders Factory. Their geographical footprint spans across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA). They also highlight specific locations such as London, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Tel Aviv, Mumbai, Paris, and Hong Kong. FFG also operates London Tech Week through a joint venture and spearheaded the relaunch of Tech Nation. They operate multiple sub-businesses and events and support entrepreneurs with a variety of needs. Their approach combines networking events, early-stage investment (through Founders Factory and firstminute capital), and community building to create a comprehensive platform for entrepreneurial success. The quotes from founders in various stages and industries emphasize the impact of the network on their journey and how it acts as a place where business relationships and deals are fostered. They aim to be more than just investors, as they also prioritize building relationships and supporting the personal and professional growth of their members.
Garage Capital
Garage Capital is a venture capital firm built by founders, for founders, with a focus on helping best-in-class Canadian and YC startups jump from garage to growth. The firm appears to invest broadly, with a particular emphasis on companies pushing boundaries and tackling ambitious problems, as evidenced by their "Moonshots" portfolio. The firm's website prominently displays a large portfolio across a multitude of verticals. The investment philosophy appears to prioritize supporting founders early in their journey, providing them with the resources and network necessary to scale their businesses. The "built by founders, for founders" motto suggests a commitment to understanding the unique challenges faced by early-stage companies and providing tailored support.
Graduate Entrepreneur
Graduate Ventures is a venture capital firm based in the Netherlands that partners with founders from day zero, from the first idea to scalable growth. They focus on backing ambitious founders who are turning breakthrough ideas into globally scalable companies. The firm combines early-stage capital with hands-on support and a powerful alumni network to accelerate the entrepreneurial journey. They aim to unlock the full potential of founders by providing not only funding but also access to experienced entrepreneurs, experts, and peers, fostering a collaborative environment for growth and shared insights. Their investment strategy centers on providing Pre-Seed and Seed stage funding to startups in the Netherlands. Beyond capital, Graduate Ventures emphasizes the value of its extensive network, comprising over 200 alumni. This network facilitates connections, knowledge sharing, and access to trusted discussions on critical topics like talent acquisition, funding strategies, and go-to-market approaches. The firm actively connects portfolio companies with high-profile individuals and ensures consistent access to the right resources and relationships, driving their businesses forward. Graduate Ventures' approach is community-driven, leveraging a unique combination of alumni, students, and professionals to support the fund's operations. Alumni serve as the backbone, bringing capital, knowledge, and network to the next generation of founders. The firm also involves a student investment team to provide a fresh perspective and support pre-seed fund operations. The firm highlights its experienced professionals with startup and investing expertise who manage the organization and seed fund.
Greylock Israel Partners
Greylock Partners focuses on partnering with founders at the earliest stages, with over 80% of their investments being the first check into a company at the Pre-Seed, Seed, or Series A stage. They emphasize building partnerships with founders from the very beginning, often even before a formal idea or business plan is fully realized. They are particularly focused on AI-first companies and prioritize selective partnerships, deep engagement, and a commitment to excellence. Greylock's investment approach is centered on identifying opportunities where software can reshape existing industries and create entirely new ones. They achieve this through a deeply focused strategy concentrated on key domains. They provide bespoke support to founders through the Greylock Edge program, a 3-month company-building initiative that helps pre-idea, pre-seed, and seed-stage founders refine their foundational decisions from inception to product-market fit, including flexible financing options. They focus on founders and companies that are disrupting or creating markets. The firm also demonstrates a long-term perspective, often investing in companies that go on to become industry leaders. They emphasize the importance of a strong partnership between the firm and the founders, aiming to be more than just a source of capital.
HAX
HAX is a hands-on venture capital firm that focuses on pre-seed startups solving hard problems with hard tech. They operate at the intersection of science and engineering, addressing real-world, industrial-scale problems that require more than just software. HAX seeks founders tackling significant physical challenges in areas such as plasma, critical minerals, climate infrastructure, chemistry, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. They provide more than just capital, building an entire engineering organization around the startups they invest. HAX offers a six-month residency at their 35,000 square-foot facility in Newark, NJ, providing access to space, tools, and technical expertise to help founders turn research into prototypes and prototypes into real products. Complementing the Newark operation are design, engineering and manufacturing experts in Pune and Shenzhen. They believe in investing not just in startups, but in the infrastructure, expertise, and ecosystems that support them. HAX also developed the HAX Plasma Forge in Princeton, NJ, to give founders access to world-class plasma physics expertise, supporting innovations in manufacturing, materials, semiconductors, and energy. As part of SOSV, the world’s most active pre-seed deep-tech venture capital firm, HAX leverages SOSV's global network and resources. Their approach is to provide hands-on support for hard-tech founders through rapid prototyping, de-risking technology, and achieving traction. HAX aims to bridge the gap with experience and infrastructure, bringing together engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs to support early-stage hard tech startups. HAX supports early stage startups working on hard tech. They have brought together the people, resources, and investment capital with the goal of enabling the next generation of hard tech startups. HAX startups include Verdex Technologies, 3DK Tech, ACiiST Smart Networks Ltd., and Aeromutable.
HAX (SOSV)
HAX, a part of SOSV, is a venture capital firm focused on pre-seed startups solving challenging real-world problems with hard technology. The firm emphasizes bridging the gap between scientific research and industrial-scale application, providing hands-on support for founders working at the intersection of science and engineering. HAX aims to tackle significant physical challenges in areas like plasma, critical minerals, climate infrastructure, chemistry, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, recognizing that these areas demand more than just software solutions. Their strategy involves de-risking technologies through rapid prototyping, access to specialized resources, and technical expertise, and assisting founders in achieving market traction. HAX offers more than just capital; they build an entire engineering organization around their portfolio companies. This support includes a six-month residency at their 35,000 square-foot facility in Newark, NJ, providing access to tools, space, and technical depth necessary for turning research into prototypes and prototypes into viable products. Complementing the Newark operation are HAX's design, engineering, and manufacturing experts located in Pune and Shenzhen, offering a global reach for their support infrastructure. The firm's unique approach involves a hands-on approach, addressing the specific needs of hard tech startups, differentiating it from traditional venture capital firms. HAX's focus extends to building ecosystems that support deep tech innovation. An example of this is the development of the HAX Plasma Forge in Princeton, NJ, in partnership with the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. This initiative aims to provide founders with access to world-class plasma physics expertise, facilitating advancements in manufacturing, materials, semiconductors, and energy. By creating dedicated infrastructure and access to experts, HAX aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of plasma-based technologies and other hard tech ventures. HAX seems to invest in companies that have a focus on the future of industry and global challenges such as decarbonization and energy transition. They look for female founders and companies based in specific locations that they are working to build up as hubs.
HBAN
HBAN (Halo Business Angel Network) is an angel investing network operating across the island of Ireland. Their investment thesis revolves around connecting angel investors with high-potential startups, fostering a thriving angel investment ecosystem focused on deal flow, policy advocacy, education, and promoting inclusivity and diversity. They aim to provide access to curated deal flow, best-in-class education, and a network of like-minded investors. HBAN's strategy includes building a strong network of startup hubs and partnerships across the island, enabling access to a large startup community and a continuous pipeline of investment opportunities. HBAN's activities extend beyond simply providing capital. They actively advocate for policies that benefit angel investors, representing their views to the government and providing data-informed policy recommendations. They also offer comprehensive angel education programs, catering to both new and experienced investors. These programs aim to equip investors with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed investment decisions. HBAN facilitates various events, including networking sessions, educational workshops, and fireside chats, to further connect and educate the angel investor community. Their mission encompasses deal sourcing, investor education and government relations. The firm also champions inclusivity and diversity within their investment activities. They support startups across various sectors and investment stages, typically focusing on pre-seed to Series A rounds. Through their activities, HBAN aims to stimulate innovation, support economic growth, and contribute to the development of a vibrant startup ecosystem in Ireland.
HBAN Medtech Syndicate
HBAN (Halo Business Angel Network) connects angel investors and syndicates to startups across the island of Ireland, focusing on fostering a thriving angel investment ecosystem. Their strategy centers on providing curated deal flow, best-in-class education, and a strong network to both investors and startups. They aim to create value by offering access to early-stage investment opportunities, supporting policy advocacy for angel investors, and providing educational resources to enhance investment decision-making. HBAN's impact is demonstrated through significant investments to date, a large membership of angel investors, and backing notable exits and promising ventures. HBAN operates across multiple hubs in Ireland, ensuring deep integration within local startup ecosystems. Their team has strong connections with accelerators, universities, VCs, and incubators, which allows them to provide premium deal flow to their members. The network also focuses on inclusivity and diversity, demonstrated by the portion of companies receiving investment being led or co-led by women. Furthermore, HBAN acts as a bridge between startups and a broad range of resources. They help startups get pitch-ready and guide them through the investment process. The network actively promotes government policies that support angel investors by working with ScaleIreland and other organizations. HBAN also facilitates events, networking opportunities, and fireside chats to connect investors and startups. Their investment strategy often includes participation in pre-seed to Series A rounds, targeting ventures with large and growing market opportunities. HBAN emphasizes the importance of early-stage angel support, focusing on insight, belief, and creating an advantage for the next generation of founders, as exemplified by their investment in Jarvio. They also support follow-on rounds and portfolio companies.
HEARTFELT_/APX
APX is an earliest-stage venture capital firm based in Berlin, backed by Axel Springer and Porsche. The firm focuses on supporting and partnering with ambitious pre-seed startups from Europe and beyond, often acting as their first investor. APX invests in exceptional founder teams building startups with digital business models. They emphasize being a long-term partner to their portfolio companies, providing support beyond just capital. The firm aims to be one of Europe's leading earliest-stage VCs, cultivating a growing family of startups and founders. Their investment strategy focuses on identifying promising digital business models and providing the resources and network necessary to help these startups succeed from their earliest stages. They operate as a pre-seed investor, helping startups at the very beginning of their journey.
HTGF | High-Tech Gruenderfonds
HTGF invests in tech founders who have the courage to shape the future. They focus on pre-seed and seed stages, providing a strong network in business and science, experience in scaling startups, and in-depth tech know-how. Their mission extends beyond their track record, aiming to sustainably strengthen the technological backbone of Germany as a business location and create international market leaders. They invest across all major tech fields from software to hardware: From AI, deep tech to biotech. They have over 300 years of investment experience. They believe that long-term success is only possible if the impact of technologies and business models are considered from the start and managed responsibly, integrating ESG measures into their processes since 2019. HTGF contributes at the fund level, including active risk management, measuring and offsetting carbon footprint, vegetarian catering, and environmentally friendly travel policies. They also provide a healthy work environment for their employees, with flexible working hours, company bicycle leasing, subsidized sports memberships, and the maximum employer subsidy for the Deutschlandticket. They actively advocate for practical requirements for founding teams in relevant areas within their network, ensuring standardization and transparency in ESG reporting. They offer ESG Due Diligence before investing and provide ESG Support for Impact after the investment, supporting companies to set up sustainably from the very beginning. They help startups to collect relevant data for annual ESG reporting, helping them present themselves transparently and convincingly to customers and investors.
Heliad Equity Partners
Heliad Equity Partners focuses on providing generational founders with access to capital markets. They invest in early-stage companies through their fully owned early-stage investment vehicle, Collective Ventures, supporting founders from pre-seed to Series A. They also make growth-stage and beyond investments directly from their balance sheet, utilizing an evergreen structure that allows for long-term partnerships, even beyond an IPO. Heliad emphasizes its ability to support companies through various stages of their growth, without being constrained by typical fund life cycles. They aim to be more than just investors, acting as partners to help companies reach their full potential.
IFG Ventures
IFG Ventures, operating under the brand Cur8 Capital, focuses on providing access to private wealth management and alternative investments to a broad range of investors, including those with smaller initial investment amounts. Their investment strategy emphasizes ethical and Sharia-compliant investments, with a strong commitment to supporting minority founders (63% of their venture portfolio). Cur8 Capital offers access to various asset classes, including Private Equity, Real Estate, Venture Capital, and Fixed Income, each with distinct target returns, liquidity profiles, and risk levels. They aim to build diversified portfolios that meet individual investor goals, leveraging a network of world-class fund managers and in-house investment expertise. They prioritize quality investments sourced through deep networks and rigorously screened for ethical compliance. The firm lowers barriers to entry by offering low minimum investment amounts (starting from £5k) and installment payment options. They emphasize tax benefits for UK investors, particularly through SEIS/EIS eligibility for startup investments, providing significant Year 1 tax rebates and tax-free gains. Cur8 Capital emphasizes flexibility by offering installment plans, liquidity pools, and regular liquidity windows for income funds, allowing investors some control over early exits. Their investment strategy extends beyond financial returns to include positive social and environmental impact, enabling businesses, empowering communities, and advancing a sustainable future. Cur8 Capital fosters a community ethos through its affiliation with IFG, which provides access to a global network of mission-aligned investors and insights into fast-growing global markets. They cater to both experienced and new investors, offering financial coaching, prompt customer support, and a supportive Telegram community. The firm has a track record of successful startup exits that delivered strong investor gains, and its real estate portfolio has consistently met dividend targets. By providing worldwide access to investments, they are enabling individuals from around the world to participate in opportunities that were previously reserved for high-net-worth individuals or institutional investors. In summary, Cur8 Capital aims to democratize access to alternative investments, providing retail investors access to institutional quality investment opportunities with focus on ethical and sustainable investments. Through a combination of technology and financial expertise, they manage to source deals, provide fractionalized access, and offer value-added services to their members. The firm serves as both a feeder fund into other VC funds, and manages a limited amount of capital directly in house.
Ideon Science Park
Ideon Science Park is a Skåne-based tech and deep tech science park focused on catalyzing innovation and turning scientific research into sustainable businesses. They partner with Lund University and other organizations to support startups and companies throughout their growth journey. Ideon provides various services, including startup and acceleration programs, networking opportunities, access to funding and investment, pitch training, and cybersecurity support. They aim to foster a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry experts. Through initiatives like Skåne Capital Day, co-created with HETCH, MINC, and Krinova, Ideon connects pre-seed startups with investors. They have a strong focus on collaboration, talent attraction, and supporting the growth of companies in the Skåne region.
Innovestor
Innovestor is an active Finnish investment manager with a mission to "Make Good Money" by investing in businesses that create a positive impact with good returns. They focus on building a powerful community of entrepreneurs, investors, and partners to drive productivity improvements, job creation, economic prosperity, and sustainable solutions. The firm aims to support companies throughout their lifecycle, not just a single funding round, with venture capital funds being a key tool for scaling their impact. They prioritize transparency and alignment of interests for all key stakeholders. Innovestor invests in early-stage technology and life science & health startups through their venture capital arm. They also focus on cashflow-generating, energy-efficient commercial real estate properties with long-term value appreciation potential. Additionally, they're committed to supporting the clean energy transition via investments in integrated battery storage (BESS) and solar panel solutions, aiming to create a virtual power plant capable of balancing the grid. Furthermore, the firm provides corporate venturing services, offering access to the European startup market through advisory, scouting, and partnership guidance. Their venture capital investments target companies with innovative solutions and sustainable business practices. In real estate, the emphasis is on properties that enable businesses and communities to thrive. For energy storage, their approach involves integrating local solar energy production with battery storage and AI-optimized capacity aggregation to meet the flexibility needs of the energy market. Innovestor introduced Finland's first Angel Co-Fund in collaboration with Business Finland Venture Capital to bolster the Finnish startup ecosystem. They also operate the PALO Accelerator Program, which targets pre-seed sustainable tech startups. Through these initiatives, Innovestor seeks to support the growth of companies and make a positive impact on society.
Inter Invest Group Investment Management Company
Inter Invest Group Investment Management Company appears to focus on tax-advantaged investments and wealth management solutions for individuals. They offer various investment products including PER (Plan d'Épargne Retraite - Retirement Savings Plan), Loi Girardin (tax incentive for investments in French overseas territories), Private Equity, and Nue-Propriété (bare ownership real estate). Their investment approach seems tailored to individuals looking to reduce their income taxes and prepare for retirement. The firm also offers structured products with capital guarantees and optimized performance, as well as SCPI (Société Civile de Placement Immobilier - Real Estate Investment Trust). Their services target retail investors, offering investment options starting from relatively low amounts (e.g., €10,000). They provide personalized subscriptions and simulation tools to cater to individual investment needs. The awards and client testimonials suggest a reputable standing within the French investment community. The firm's strategy appears to be centered around providing access to investment opportunities that offer tax benefits and long-term growth potential. Their product offerings span across different asset classes, enabling them to cater to a wide range of investment preferences and risk profiles. The focus on Loi Girardin suggests expertise in navigating the complexities of French tax regulations. The availability of Private Equity investments indicates a focus on potentially higher-return opportunities, albeit with corresponding risks. Inter Invest's marketing emphasizes reducing current income taxes and retirement planning, with specific promotions aimed at the 2026 tax year. They actively promote their accolades from various financial publications and client satisfaction ratings. The inclusion of 'Solvest Seleny III', a structured product with a subscription deadline, indicates their ongoing development and promotion of specialized investment solutions. The repeated emphasis on awards for Girardin industriel (industrial Girardin) further supports their specialisation in this tax incentive scheme.
Jetpack Ventures
Jetpack Ventures operates as both a company builder and an early-stage investor. They focus on turning innovative ideas into market-leading technology companies. Their approach combines company building and investing under one roof, utilizing a framework designed to accelerate and de-risk the startup process. They emphasize a hands-on, collaborative approach, acting as co-founders and angel investors, providing resources, playbooks, systems, talent, and capital to accelerate growth. Their strategy involves identifying unique ideas they are passionate about and assembling full-stack teams with exceptional talent. They provide comprehensive support across all aspects of the business, from MVP development to product-market fit and scaling for growth. Their support includes access to their network and resources, enabling founders to concentrate on product development. They prioritize speed, focusing on launching products and validating business models quickly. Jetpack Ventures also makes pre-seed and seed investments through their angel syndicate, targeting founders with passion and strong founder-market fit. They are often among the first investors, supporting startups that have participated in top accelerators and raised funds from prominent venture capital firms. They believe in the power of distributed teams and a remote-friendly approach, emphasizing talent over location. Jetpack Ventures aims to turn the art of launching a startup into a repeatable science. They invest in and build companies that they believe can evolve into world-class organizations, leveraging their experience and knowledge to guide startups through the challenges of growth and scaling.
Knoll Ventures
Knoll Ventures is a strategic capital provider for early-stage technology companies, specifically those in the B2B space. They aim to back "outliers" – creative thinkers, change-makers, and innovators who challenge the status quo. Based in Atlanta, GA, the firm focuses on Pre-Series A investments, recognizing the unique challenges faced by founders at this critical stage. They strive to be the first call founders make when seeking actionable advice, emphasizing a long-term perspective in their partnerships. Their investment approach involves leading or co-leading rounds ranging from $500,000 to $3,000,000 in B2B technology-enabled companies at the pre-seed, seed, and post-seed stages. Knoll Ventures looks for passionate founders with a clear understanding of customer pain points and a compelling vision for the future. They focus on aligning themselves with founders through a deep understanding of round objectives and a scalable investment structure. The firm's commitment extends beyond just writing a check, with a focus on adding value through growth strategy execution, strategic introductions to their network, and support for follow-on fundraising. They actively involve themselves in round objective setting, alignment of interests, and syndicate construction prior to investment. Post-investment, they provide guidance on growth strategy execution, facilitate strategic introductions, and assist with follow-on fundraising. Knoll Ventures emphasizes the importance of making meaningful connections for their portfolio companies, particularly during the critical early stages. By specializing in Pre-Series A companies, they have developed a unique perspective on the challenges founders face at this stage and aim to provide tailored support and guidance. They closed their second fund in Spring 2022 to further support founders at the earliest stages of growth.
Lanai Partners
Lanai Partners positions itself as an "entrepreneurs’ community VC" aiming to back Spain’s most ambitious founders. They emphasize a hands-on approach, leveraging their experience as founders and operators to advise and support their portfolio companies. Their focus is on investing in founders rather than just projects, looking for winning teams and supporting them in achieving their goals. They are proud industry agnostics, demonstrating a willingness to invest across various verticals. They bring over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, having founded multiple companies generating over €100m in annual revenues and employing over 500 people, and leverage this operational know-how to add value to their investments. Lanai Partners was launched in 2017 and has built a portfolio of over 50 companies. They are committed to being a partner in the early stages of the entrepreneurial journey, specifically at the pre-seed stage. The firm's website highlights the significant impact their portfolio companies have collectively achieved, including generating over €1 billion in revenue, raising more than €2 billion in capital, and employing over 15,000 employees. This showcases their ability to identify and support high-growth potential startups. They also emphasize their experience working together as founders and operators for 12 years. The partners' backgrounds include significant roles at companies like Airbnb, Uber, and KPMG, demonstrating their diverse experiences and networks, which they use to support their portfolio. They not only bring financial investment, but also offer strategic guidance, operational expertise, and access to a wide network of contacts.
Latitud Ventures
Latitud Ventures focuses on supporting startups in Latin America from the very early stages, "from inception to conviction." They aim to provide initial funding to help founders build an MVP and validate their hypotheses. They appear to be backing LatAm-born founders conquering the globe. The firm also runs a Fellowship program to help refine startup ideas, provide access to a community of founders and exclusive content. They invest in the pre-seed stage and are proud to be the first check into companies.