Chad Summe and Mike Veith, Partners at eGateway Capital, discuss their investment strategy and process, emphasizing the importance of regional and relationship-based sourcing. They share their unconventional paths to investing and highlight the firm's focus on growth stage, enablement technologies. They explore examples such as Overhaul, a supply chain visibility company, and Firework, a digital video commerce company. The speakers also discuss the challenges of growing as an emerging manager and share personal hobbies and life lessons.
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Quick takeaways
Investing in growth-stage enablement technologies for digital supply chains, marketing, and commerce.
Importance of regional and relationship-based sourcing in the Midwest for supply chains and commerce.
Being a firm that actively partners with portfolio companies, providing access to network and expertise for growth.
Deep dives
Investing in Growth-Stage Enablement Technologies for the Future of Commerce
One of the main themes discussed in this podcast episode is investing in growth-stage enablement technologies that drive the future of digital supply chains, marketing, and commerce. The guests, Chad Sumi and Mike Bief, partners at e-gateway capital, highlight their investment strategy and process. They talk about the importance of regional and relationship-based sourcing in the Midwest, and the value-add opportunities that arise from the region's significance in supply chains and commerce. Overall, their focus is on supporting companies that are solving important problems and driving advancements in the digital transformation of commerce.
Chad Sumi's Non-Traditional Path to Investing
Chad Sumi, one of the guests, shares his unique background and non-traditional route to investing. He started his career in the Naval Academy and served in submarines before transitioning to Procter & Gamble. He gained valuable experience in consumer understanding and brand marketing in the baby care division, which sparked his interest in the tech space and digital solutions. He then moved on to work at coupon.com, where he played a pivotal role in digitizing promotions and pioneering retail media platforms. This diverse background eventually led him to co-found e-gateway capital.
Mike Bief's Journey as an Investor and Builder
Mike Bief, the other guest, shares his journey in the investment world and his passion for building businesses. He started in the private equity space and later worked at Merrill Lynch and in the independent investment realm. He emphasizes the importance of taking a stand and serving and partnering with others. Mike highlights the significance of being thesis-driven in their investments and mentions the unique elements they bring to the table as an operator-led investment firm. His focus is on creating a special type of firm that is research-driven, focused on specific sectors, and truly partners with portfolio companies to help them grow.
Building a Firm and Not Just a Fund
The guests discuss their vision of building a firm rather than just a fund. They believe in creating lasting significance and being more than a mere source of capital. They highlight the importance of alignment and partnership with their portfolio companies, actively adding value by providing access to their network and expertise. Their goal is to be on the field, working directly with portfolio companies to help them scale and grow. They also emphasize the value of the Midwestern region and its potential as an undercapitalized hub for commerce. Building awareness of the region's strengths and nurturing its growth opportunities is a core part of their mission.
Investment Strategy and Focus on Growth Capital
The podcast delves into e-gateway capital's investment strategy, which centers around growth-stage enablement technologies for the future of commerce. They focus on four distinct investment pillars: how things are made, how things are marketed, how things are sold, and how things are distributed. Some specific examples of their investments include companies like Overhaul, a supply chain visibility and security platform, and Firework, a shoppable video commerce company. Their aim is to invest in companies with validated products, established market fit, and demonstrated potential in driving growth and innovation in their respective sectors.
Today's Sponsored Insight features Chad Summe and Mike Veith, Partners at eGateway Capital, a Cincinnati based, thesis-driven firm that focuses on growth stage, enablement technologies that drive the future of digital supply chains, marketing, and commerce.
Our conversation covers their path to creating eGateway, their investment strategy and process. Chad and Mike highlight the firm’s regional and relationship-based sourcing and value add opportunities that benefit from the importance of the Midwest in supply chains and commerce.