It’s all about the people. ⚡️

We’ve now backed 22 Nashville startups- and every single one started with a relationship, not a pitch deck.

My simple thesis for writing a check:

1️⃣ I have to be able to help first- with customers, talent, or capital. At least two out of three.

2️⃣ You have to give and get from our founder community at The Lighthouse.

3️⃣ I have to believe in you-both in your “why” and in the way you’re building.

That’s it. No complex spreadsheets, no formulas. Just people, purpose, and a willingness to bet on builders who make this city better.

Nashville has something real happening here, and I’m lucky to play even a small part in it.

Founders We've Backed

• Jimmy Speyer building GlassHouse- outbound sales software that finds qualified prospects near your existing customers and gets you in front of them first.

• Cooper Lycan building SoBet- a competitive social betting app.

• Sammy MacFarlane building Morrow- a financial platform for the American worker.

• Jack Genet building InRev- the modern surety underwriter.

• Matt Peltier building Cohesive.

• Brad Shepard building Lahzo- ai sales agents.

• Chris Brown building Grouped- where artists can build and engage their fan community.

• Grace Hanson building Elysian- revolutionizing TPA claims handling by seamlessly merging AI innovation with human expertise.

• Daniel Alfi building Fifr- automated financial strategy.

• Brooke Tuttle building Offload- vertical saas for the oversized freight industry.

• Joe White building Send It- marketplace connecting hospitals with doctors.

• Ross Miller building Vivy- GLP-1 companion app.

• Daniel Steele building Listening Post- chief ai officer in a box.

• Joey Kim building Longview- ai driven home restoration.

• James Chester building WVN- insights for the brick and mortar retail world.

• Mike Audi building Watt Data- target the right person at the right time.

• Patrick Girouard building District Cover- data driven small business insurance.

• Luis Martinez-Moure building Pathway- ai agents for restaurants.

• Tristan Wilson building Edgevanta- ai agents for civil estimating.

I like to get to know my founders outside of Zoom calls…dinner, yoga, triathlons, conferences, you name it!!!