Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
This newsletter highlights some exciting news for Cortado. To begin, we recognize one of our limited partners, Renzi Stone. Next up is the news of our investment with Satellite, a career acceleration program for professionals that launched its first pioneer program in Tulsa. Joining our Investment Committee is Sean Kouplen, the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and CEO of Regent Bank. Cortado also welcomes Melissa Bergkamp to our team as an Agtech Advisor. We wrap up the newsletter by discussing how QSBS benefits venture capital investors through tax benefits and then the publication of Cortado’s new website.
What Lies Ahead
- LP Highlight: Saxum to Acquire VI Marketing
- Cortado Announces Next Investment: Satellite
- Sean Kouplen Joins Investment Committee
- Melissa Bergkamp, Agtech Advisor
- Nathaniel Harding Discusses Oklahoma’s Burgeoning UAV Ecosystem
- Potential for No Capital Gains Tax for Venture Capital Investors
- New Website
LP Highlight: Saxum to Acquire VI Marketing
Cortado has dozens of investors that provide a great network of leaders and innovators to position our portfolio companies for accelerated growth. Renzi Stone is one of Cortado’s LPs, or Limited Partners, that invest in Cortado and provide invaluable knowledge and advice for portfolio companies. Cortado Ventures wishes an enthusiastic congratulations to Renzi Stone on the news of Saxum acquiring Oklahoma City-based VI Marketing by the end of this year. Following the closing of the acquisition, Stone will serve as Chairman and CEO of the new entity.
“If Oklahoma is ever going to diversify its tax base and create jobs that reflect the opportunities of a changing global economy, then the work of Cortado is supercharging with the capital, networks and future focus needed — where the Oklahoma I love becomes a place where entrepreneurs thrive. I predict our strong creative community will support this kind of growth,” states Stone.
Cortado Announces Next Investment: Satellite
Cortado Ventures has funded Satellite, the New York-based career acceleration platform for professionals. Satellite’s world-class team is developing an end-to-end solution that supports the training, build-out, and management of distributed revenue and customer success teams in low-cost cities. Satellite launched its Pioneer program in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is partnered with top startups and tech firms from New York City, Silicon Valley, and other tech hubs in order to offer top-tier career opportunities to their students.
By understanding what tech companies need in new hires, Satellite prepares individuals for a successful career in tech sales. The company’s tech and uniquely positioned team address a massive and expanding market. The Satellite network of tech innovators includes Atento Capital, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and some of the best tech companies in the world.
Sean Kouplen Joins Our Investment Committee
Our team is excited to announce the addition of Sean Kouplen, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and CEO of Regent Bank, as an independent member of our Investment Committee. Sean has extensive experience in private investments and capital markets. Sean’s business and leadership experience will help us further achieve our goal of positioning our portfolio companies for accelerated growth.
Melissa Bergkamp, Agtech Advisor
Cortado welcomes our newest advisor, Melissa Bergkamp out of Harper, Kansas. Melissa is Vice President of Sales for Harper Industries, Inc., where she leads a sales force engaged in domestic and international markets for agriculture production and horticulture maintenance. With a background in pragmatic marketing and extensive ties in the ag world, Melissa strives to align consumer challenges and market trends with manufactured solutions to offer greater efficiencies in the field.
Melissa is involved in her family’s livestock and feed production operations. A recent graduate of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program, advocacy for feeding a growing population and the influence of rural America remain at the center of Melissa’s focus. Today, she serves on the Board of Governors for the National Truck Equipment Association’s (NTEA) Generation Next, influencing industry recruitment, retention, and advancement.
Nathaniel Harding Discusses Oklahoma’s Burgeoning UAV Ecosystem
Did you know that Oklahoma offers roboticists wide-open areas to safely launch and test innovations? Oklahoma’s geography and superior engineering talent is attracting venture capital dollars from around the globe. In an article by Oliver Mitchell, Cortado’s Managing Partner Nathaniel Harding discusses how Oklahoma’s culture of innovation and technological development gives them an edge in how the avionics and aerospace sectors grow.
“It’s no surprise that our state is seeing innovation happen across drones, aviation, and robotics Our unique edge is developing technologies that solve real challenges being faced by the industry. We’re used to building things, and our historic strength in avionics and aerospace gives Oklahoma an edge in shaping the future in these sectors.”
Potential for No Capital Gains Tax for Venture Capital Investors
Most venture investors are aware that deploying capital in early-stage, high-growth companies provides the opportunity to earn high-value returns. However, investors may not know that investing in venture capital is smart and tax-efficient because there are no taxes on capital gains after 5 years up to $10 million by investing in a fund like Cortado’s which holds qualified small business stock (QSBS). QSBS refers to shares of a qualified small business as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Investors that meet specific criteria are eligible for tax benefits if they hold qualified small business stock. The amount of a tax break the investor receives depends on when they purchased the stock and how long they held it. Qualified startups and qualified existing businesses that want to expand their operations may raise initial or additional capital through a QSBS offering.
We are not tax advisors, so please talk to your tax advisor on any tax issue or advice.
New Website
Our new website is up and running! On our new website, you can find information about what our team has to offer, Cortado’s investment criteria, team member biographies, and more. Visit us at https://cortado.ventures/
Thank you for reading our October newsletter. We’ll send monthly updates about our progress, entrepreneurship, startups, the local economy, and tech in Oklahoma and beyond. Stay in touch with us through social media, or pitch us your idea.
We are accepting more investors in our fund. For accredited investors wanting to learn more, contact investors@cortado.ventures.