{"id":1389,"date":"2018-03-01T13:23:08","date_gmt":"2018-03-01T18:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/win\/?p=200"},"modified":"2024-01-08T16:50:31","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T21:50:31","slug":"nc-state-mba-startup-tethis-receives-wolfpack-investor-networks-largest-capital-raise-to-date","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/win\/nc-state-mba-startup-tethis-receives-wolfpack-investor-networks-largest-capital-raise-to-date\/","title":{"rendered":"NC State MBA Startup Tethis Receives Wolfpack Investor Network\u2019s Largest Capital Raise to Date<\/a>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo matter what the entrepreneur is telling you at the front of the room, it probably won\u2019t be the same going forward,\u201d says Joe Sinsheimer, managing director of the Wolfpack Investor Network (WIN), with offices in the James B. Hunt Library on Centennial Campus.<\/p>\n

His statement comes from experience. In his role with WIN and prior roles in investment organizations, Sinsheimer has seen many startups pivot from their initial plan. \u201cThere are always variables; the world changes,\u201d he said. That requires the entrepreneur to be flexible and open to taking a venture in a new direction. It also requires a supportive network that provides not only funding but also mentorship and coaching.<\/p>\n

Sinsheimer cites Tethis as a prime example of a startup making that pivot well. The company was co-founded by Scott Bolin (MBA \u201912) based on work he and fellow students did in their technology, entrepreneurship and commercialization (TEC) concentration team project while in the NC State Jenkins MBA program. Bolin now is Tethis\u2019 chief executive officer.<\/p>\n

Making the Pivot<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Tethis team initially developed a business concept based on using a corn-based fiber \u2013 developed by professors Joel Pawlak and Richard Venditti\u00a0in NC State\u2019s College of Natural Resources \u2013 to filter pollutants out of water used in the fracking process.<\/p>\n

As Sinsheimer said, in the startup world, things change, and Tethis responded. It now is using the technology to produce a biodegradable absorbent material for diapers and is exploring potential uses in other fluid absorption products.<\/p>\n

Tethis made its pivot about three and a half years ago, Bolin said. \u201dWe were fortunate to be able to meet with a few diaper companies back then who were able to help us map out the features they really liked about our technology, which let us hone in very quickly as we pivoted.<\/p>\n

That was about the time that Tethis began working with WIN, and the pivot made it more attractive to members of the WIN network, which recently participated in a $17.6 million capital raise for the company \u2013 WIN\u2019s largest investment in a single venture.<\/p>\n

Early on, Tethis had benefited from mentorship provided by NC State alumnus Chris Evans, an experienced entrepreneur in the area who served as Bolin\u2019s mentor through the Triangle-based Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network and now serves as executive chairman at Tethis.<\/p>\n

Diligence and ROI<\/strong><\/p>\n

WIN\u2019s diligence process provides investors with an analysis of each investment opportunity, including its risks and rewards. A key part of the diligence is completed by WIN\u2019s Associate Team: graduate-level students, faculty and staff from the NC State Poole College of Management, the College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and others.<\/p>\n

Lisa Chang, director of Technology, Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (TEC) in Poole College, leads the WIN diligence program. A licensed pharmacist and program director with more than 20 years of management experience, she coordinates with department heads across campus to identify top STEM and MBA students to work on WIN\u2019s Associate Team and supervises their work in the diligence process. She also recruits faculty to assist with WIN\u2019s initial processes for screening applicant companies.<\/p>\n

\u201dThe opportunity for interdisciplinary teams of NC State graduate students to work with an angel network has been incredible,\u201d Chang said. \u201c Many of them have entrepreneurial aspirations themselves, and the unique inside view of how growing companies operate that they get through WIN is both a great reality check and inspiration.<\/p>\n

\u201cWIN members really appreciate the detailed reports that the students produce, and use them to guide their investing decisions. Universally, our MBA and STEM students have told us the due diligence process is one of the most rewarding experiences they\u2019ve had at NC State, a true reflection of Think and Do that they can apply to their future careers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

As of mid-February 2017, WIN, which launched in December of 2016, had 118 investor members and had invested in 11 deals with 10 portfolio companies representing a wide range of sectors. It also is working collaboratively with the Duke Angel Network (DAN) and the Carolina Angel Network (CAN) to establish the new Triangle Venture Alliance (TVA). Through this alliance, all three networks will share best practices, resources and ultimately investment opportunities.<\/p>\n

Also on the WIN leadership team are: Abby Phillips, program coordinator; steering committee members Raj Narayan, associate director of the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science; Lewis Sheats, Poole College associate professor of entrepreneurship, executive director of the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic and assistant vice provost for entrepreneurship; Tom Miller, senior vice provost for academic outreach and entrepreneurship, and Wade Fulghum, director of the Office of Technology Commercialization and New Ventures.<\/p>\n

Alumni Engagement Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a significant group of alumni wanting to invest in ventures being launched by their fellow NC State alums,\u201d Sinsheimer said. The majority of WIN\u2019s investors are in North Carolina, but it also has members in Atlanta, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Philadelphia. WIN members \u2013 whether as investors or startups \u2013 must have an NC State connection, such as being alumnus, faculty member, employee, retiree, board member or other affiliation.<\/p>\n

For investors, WIN provides its members \u201cunique deal flow,\u201d he said, meaning proprietary access to strong investment opportunities that have been prescreened, \u201cbringing only the most credible deals to WIN members.\u201d<\/p>\n

WIN also enables its members to bring their expertise into the university\u2019s ecosystem as mentors and coaches, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuccessful alumni are trying to create a virtuous circle,\u201d Sinsheimer said, one that is \u201cspinning out companies, sharing proceeds with the alumni base and investing in future entrepreneurs.\u201d The university also benefits because in many cases \u2013 like Tethis \u2013 the University Endowment is co-investing with the WIN membership.<\/p>\n

Alumni engagement is a big plus for Tethis, Bolin said. Beyond WIN\u2019s financial investment, \u201cI\u2019m most excited about having a broader network of supporters. We\u2019ve already reached out to a few about connections and insights.\u201d<\/p>\n

This kind of engagement reflects the evolving role of the university as an engine that drives economic, societal and intellectual prosperity through innovation, Sinsheiner said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want technology to stay on campus. We need to get it off campus, to create jobs. That\u2019s a challenge because commercial and research worlds are different places. WIN is trying to break that down in terms of capital resources, and we have a lot of alumni and retirees that think investing through WIN is a way to give back.\u201d<\/p>\n

IN THE PHOTO<\/h4>\n

Diligence Team Members, left to right<\/em>: London White, HiTEC Scholar and Diligence Team Leader; Mackenzie Urquhart, NC State Poole College junior majoring in finance and intern; and WIN Diligence Team members Joshua Lissauer, Jenkins MBA; Rob Ascenzi; Gary Sanguinetti and Andrew Bowker, Jenkins MBA program; and John Bowen, graduate student, chemical and biomolecular engineering, College of Engineering.<\/p>\n

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