Keiretsu Forum and Keiretsu Forum Midwest + Northeast represent a global investment community of accredited investors, venture capitalists, micro-funds, family offices, and corporate/institutional investors. The parent organization was launched in 2000 and has become the largest global investment network with members spread over 50 organizations, on 4 continents. Keiretsu Forum members invest in diverse high-quality opportunities, positioning itself amongst the topmost active venture organizations in the world. Keiretsu Forum is known for its rigor in selecting and curating deal flow that is presented to its members monthly. The Midwest + Northeast Gateway was established to draw upon the uniqueness of both the Midwest and Northeast investor networks, providing its global entrepreneurial deals with tangible and strategic market insights, access and knowhow.
“Keiretsu” Definition
Keiretsu is a Japanese term describing a group of affiliated corporations with broad power and reach. Keiretsu Forum is described as a conglomeration of individuals or small companies that are organized around private equity funding for mutual benefit. Keiretsu Forum believes that through a holistic approach that includes interlocking relationships with partners and key resources, they can offer an association that produces the highest quality deal-flow and investment opportunities.
Keiretsu Forum Midwest + Northeast
The Keiretsu Forum Midwest + Northeast (KFMWNE) Gateway extends into over 30 cities from Kansas City to New York and Boston, and from Nashville to Minneapolis. It represents a significant portion of the global Keiretsu Forum deal flow, reaching across North America and numerous other parts of the world. Neither a broker dealer nor a banker, KFMWNE serves as a host to a diverse investor community, facilitating highly curated deal flow from across the world. After progressing through our application and rigorous screening process, companies are invited to participate in a 5-day roadshow to meet our investors in Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Chicago, Westchester NY and Boston. With investors spread out across over 30 cities in the United States and abroad, members can attend Forums both in-person as well as virtually.
The economic diversity of the Midwest + Northeast Gateway is incomparable. As an economy, it would be the 5th largest economy in the world. From advanced manufacturing to life sciences, fintech to fashion tech, consumer products to farm tech, this sector of the north American industrial base is leading the way to innovation and quality of life.
We have built a remarkable investor community across the Midwest + Northeast Gateway and would be delighted to explore how we might get you to become a part of this community.
For more information, please contact: info@kfmwne.com
Our Focus
KFMWNE members enjoy curated deal flow from around the world. Curated company deal flow is typically Series Seed to Series B+. We believe that our members will be drawn to companies they understand. As such, we will often see companies across the life sciences spectrum (medical devices, therapeutics, and diagnostics), advanced manufacturing, robotics, cleantech and all alternative energy, smart cities and smart transportation, consumer products, fintech and fashion tech. A detailed breakdown is available in our portfolio.
Monthly Forum
The “Forum” is a monthly showcase for KFMWNE where our members and their guests gather together to network and attend curated company presentations from an array of industries that are brought together from diverse geographies. Given the extensive member footprint, KFMWNE organizes a monthly roadshow, whereby companies travel from city to present to and network with our investors. During the course of the roadshow, Forums are showcased either virtually, in-person, or both
Summits and EXPOs
KFMWNE also showcases a variety of Thought Leadership Summits – once a year in specific industries, including life sciences, CPG, Advanced Manufacturing and Cleantech. These Summits are full day events designed to touch upon cutting edge topics in the industry. Best efforts are made to host these Summits in different parts of the Midwest + Northeast investor network.
A 3-Day EXPO is held once a year that draws the members community together from around the country to meet and participate in workshops, attend company presentations, enjoy company showcases, and network extensively.
Locations
Keiretsu Forum Midwest opened its doors in the spring of 2016, launching its first location in Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequent locations were established across the Midwest and Northeast parts of the country.
Forums are currently held in the following cities: Minneapolis/ Cincinnati/ Chicago/ Westchester NY/ Boston
Members in Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis, Louisville, Nashville, Cleveland and Greenwich will also host investor gatherings to attend Forums Virtually.
Headquarters for Keiretsu Forum Midwest are in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Our Team
Sotiris is a futurist, strategist, public speaker, problem solver and entrepreneurial investor. He has led investment opportunities from large scale, multi-billion-dollar public infrastructure projects around the world to early stage companies in Tech, Life Sciences, CPG, Space, Automation and Robotics. He is constantly seeking cutting-edge entrepreneurial ventures with massive growth potential to nurture and grow. He is president of Keiretsu Forum Midwest and Lambousa Enterprises.
He previously served as a Principal at PwC in a variety of global and national roles and as Managing Director at the law firm of McKenna Long & Aldridge (now Dentons US), focusing on procurement advocacy,
governmental affairs and Public-Private Partnerships. Earlier, he was Global Vice President for public sector strategy at CA Technologies, Inc.
He began his career as a university professor at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, where he created his first technology innovation lab.
Entrepreneur & Due Diligence Director
Jacob Rayyan is a current PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. He wishes to pursue a career in the VC space performing scientific due diligence. His academic background includes a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and a Master’s in Neurobiology from Northwestern University. Jacob’s current research pursuit involves studying the connectivity of memory-related brain areas in epilepsy patients. His previous work included studying motor deficits in patients with Parksinon’s Disease and identifying new therapeutic targets in patients with terminal brain cancer.
Jacob is actively involved in numerous organizations on campus including internships with the Emory’s Office of Technology Transfer and the biotech consulting clubs at both Georgia Tech and Emory. He has volunteered as a DD fellow for Keiretsu Mid Atlantic before assuming the role of Entrepreneur & Due Diligence Director for Keiretsu Forum Midwest + Northeast. He wishes to continue doing scientific due diligence after the conclusion of his PhD either in the VC or PE space.
Nicole is a seasoned professional in the pharmaceutical industry with extensive experience. She started her career as a quality control scientist at an international generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, and currently holds a pivotal role with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Development Team’s GLP/QA unit, focusing on CVV development for influenza vaccines.
Nicole has earned a Master’s of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Florida and a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry from Hofstra University. Throughout her scientific career, she has authored notable publications in the Journal of Medical Virology and with the American Chemical Society.
Beyond her scientific achievements, Nicole serves as the Membership and Events Director for Keiretsu Forum Midwest + Northeast. Her approachable demeanor and commitment to both the venture capital space and member development are invaluable assets to her role at Keiretsu Forum.
Contact Us
phone: +1 (513) 384-9850
email: info@kfmwne.com