We intend to partner with founders, employees, and shareholders to provide capital and unlock liquidity in the long path to building an enduring business. We believe that our approach, which allows private companies to access the public markets without requiring an initial public offering (an “IPO”), will help facilitate the discovery and development of unique opportunities. Importantly, participation in public markets will provide capital to support expansion, recruit talent and conduct M&A.

Increasingly, the Innovation Economy drives the broader global economy. From 1999 to 2018, the domestic Innovation Economy GDP grew at a rate that was four times that of the total domestic GDP growth rate over the same period. Ten years ago, Innovation Economy businesses represented two of the top 10 companies in the world by market capitalization. Today, the five largest companies in the world are members of the Innovation Economy. The continued formation and growth of private technology business, cultivated through entrepreneurship, and funded by venture capital and other forms of private market capital has been driving the expansion of public technology companies.

Kevin Hartz, our co-founder, chairman and CEO, is the former CEO of  Eventbrite (NYSE: EB), a global self-service ticketing platform. Spike Lipkin is our co-founder and serves on our board of directors. He is an entrepreneur and investor. Mr. Lipkin is the co-founder and CEO of Newfront Insurance, a technology-enabled insurance brokerage. Troy B. Steckenrider III is our co-founder and CFO and serves on our board of directors. Previously, Mr. Steckenrider was Chief Operating Officer of ZeroDown, a fractional home ownership service.