Participated · Seed · Jun 2026

StratusGrid builds Stratusphere, an AI-driven services platform that discovers cloud optimization opportunities, plans and routes approvals, supports execution of approved changes, monitors results, and verifies savings in complex AWS and Azure environments. The company emphasizes closing the loop from visibility to verified outcomes by enabling safe, approved execution of infrastructure changes so engineering teams can stay focused on feature delivery. StratusGrid reports that its approach has helped customers save millions of dollars in large-scale cloud environments and is particularly focused on private equity-backed software companies. The business was bootstrapped prior to raising its $3 million seed and is now using the financing to accelerate product development, grow engineering capacity, and scale go-to-market efforts. StratusGrid is headquartered in Chattanooga, Tenn., and positions Stratusphere as an AI-native execution layer for cloud optimization.

Participated · Seed · Apr 2026

Sage Haven offers a messaging and voice calling app designed as a slow, protected on-ramp for children’s first years online. The product includes AI moderation that blocks harmful messages before they are sent, AI nudges to encourage kinder communication, and a parent hub that lets caregivers approve contacts, monitor messages, and receive AI-powered alerts and weekly recaps. Children receive a free Sage Haven number that aggregates messages from iMessage, Google Messages, and other platforms so kids are protected regardless of what other families use. The company was founded and is led by Kate Doerksen and her sister Anne (Anne Pizzuti) and announced it is live following a beta period. Sage Haven is registered as a Public Benefit Corporation to legally prioritize kids’ mental health and well-being. The articles do not provide revenue, user, or valuation metrics.

Participated · Seed · Mar 2026

Rebel Audio offers a 360-degree podcast creation suite that consolidates recording, editing, cover art generation, transcription, clipping for social, and publishing into one platform. The product is heavily AI-driven, with features including an AI assistant for show names and descriptions, AI-generated cover art with moderation, AI transcription, dubbing, translation, and opt-in voice cloning for ad reads. Monetization tools are integrated from the start, including advertising, brand partnerships, dynamic ad insertion, and listener subscriptions. The company launched a private beta with a waitlist and plans a public rollout beginning May 30; pricing is tiered from a $15/month Basic plan to a $70/month Pro plan. Rebel Audio was developed with Lattice Partners and will migrate Jared Gutstadt’s Audio Up catalog—featuring shows with talents like Machine Gun Kelly, Anthony Anderson, Dennis Quaid, Jason Alexander, and Luke Wilson—onto the platform. The company has also added industry veterans to its team and advisors such as Mark Burnett to support growth and content partnerships.

Participated · Seed · Jun 2024

AnyCreek is a guide-centric platform based in Memphis, TN that connects adventurers with guides and outfitters for fishing, hunting and other guided experiences. Led by CEO Benjamin Lazarov and CTO Nick Larson, the company provides a guide-facing SaaS suite including calendar management, payments, referrals and easy guide assignments, SEO, marketing, customer communication, CRM and 24/7 support. Guides and outfitters use the platform to manage operations, save time and grow their businesses while making it easy for customers to discover and book trips. AnyCreek raised $1.8M in Seed funding in the latest round, bringing its total funding to $3.3M. The company intends to use the funds to continue enhancing its technology and to expand into additional markets and offerings.

Participated · Grant · Oct 2023

Innerworld provides 24/7 peer-to-peer support groups in social virtual worlds, where users interact as anonymous avatars and receive live, evidence-based tools from guides trained in Cognitive Behavioral Immersion (CBI). The platform combines immersive technology with live cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and was beta-tested with over 10,000 people during development. CEO and founder Noah Robinson authored studies published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research and Games for Health showing CBI is linked to reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms and benefits people with substance use disorders. Innerworld was co-founded by singer-songwriter Jewel, who serves as Chief Strategy Officer. The company is advancing clinical validation: it recently received a $2.0M grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to fund a randomized controlled trial at the University of Southern California. That trial will be led by Robinson as Principal Investigator with USC co-investigator Dr. Iony Ezawa.