Contact US

SELECTED PAST VENTURES

Featured Innovative Companies (Clients and In-House Ventures):

Shopping Delivery Service Inc. Founder & Investor: Developed an optimal business model and negotiated all pilot and customer partnerships, including discussions with QVC senior executives to launch a local delivery service for non-perishable foods dubbed the "Virtual Pantry" Founded this early online grocery delivery service in the early 1990s that partnered with local stores to deliver goods directly to customers’ doorsteps. Secured a pilot program with Pathmark Stores to launch one of the industry’s first grocery shopping and delivery services. Expanded through strategic pilot programs with complementary retailers such as The Coffee Beanery, Blockbuster, Wendy’s, Cinnabon, MailBoxes Etc., Toys "R" Us, as well as a marketing agreement with Christiana Mall (Delaware’s largest shopping mall). SDS also provided corporate catering services to clients including DuPont, Conrail, and several Delaware state government agencies. Ceased operations due to a combination of financial difficulties and the structural challenges of the early e-commerce grocery model — one that was capital-intensive, heavily reliant on ongoing venture funding, and arguably ahead of its time. Company contracted out certain operational components in return for perpetual revenue-sharing agreements or ongoing service rights Early 1990s Startup Tested Grocery Delivery Years Before the Digital Boom MARCH 1994 - Content-aggregation article inspired by a March 1994 featured story from Entrepreneur Magazine and a story by Mark Marymount of the Delaware News Journal The PopsyCakes Company Majority Shareholder & Management: Acquired majority ownership stake; negotiated all retail and strategic marketing partnerships, and secured product placement on a nationally #1-rated FOX show Creator of the original “cupcake on a pretzel stick”, a unique and eye-catching dessert concept that gained national attention after being featured on FOX’s #1-rated show The Five. Successfully retailed products nationwide through top-tier outlets including HomeGoods, Six Flags, and Mall of America. The cupcakes became a popular party highlight among high-profile clientele, including NBA star Dwyane Wade and other nationally recognized figures. Acquired by Unique Pizza Corp. PopsyCakes: From Novelty Treat to Nationwide Sensation in Just a Few Years MARCH 3, 2016 Dealer Information Solutions, Inc. Co-Founder: Focus: developing the rollout strategy & securing dealership partners, including negotiating the development contract with Chrysler Inventory management software analyzes dealership performance by make, model, and trim, including sales, costs, days to turn, and gross profit. Offers customizable reports on ROI, inventory aging, and more. Co-developed "U-TOPS" for Chrysler (Used Vehicle Total Order Planning System). Powerful inventory management tool used by thousands of dealers nationwide. U-TOPS has helped boost used-vehicle gross profit by 17%, cut over-aged inventory by 20%, and reduced inventory age by 14 days, leading to a 20% increase in annual turn rates. The firm also partnered with GMMDA (General Motors Minority Dealers Association) to develop a separate inventory management solution, tailored to support GM dealerships. Dealer Information Solutions: Turning Inventory into Insights MARCH 21, 2004 - THE NEWS JOURNAL PTseats.com Investor Online ticketing platform specializing in poker tournament seat reservations. Company operates as a secondary market ticket broker, facilitating the purchase of seats for sold-out events. Partnered with casinos such as The Isle Casino & Racing at Pompano Park in Florida and the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, allowing players to securely reserve their tournament seats online using major credit cards. PetConciergeClub.com Founder & CEO PetConciergeClub.com is a next-generation, digital-first marketplace redefining pet care through personalized services, lifestyle integration, and on-demand convenience. Designed for the modern pet parent, the platform offers an end-to-end solution that spans the full lifecycle of pet ownership. Making pet care more knowledgeable, accessible and affordable. "Customizing Pet Care Throughout The Pet Lifecycle". Investment Firm Acquires PetConciergeClub.com to Expand Digital Pet Care Ecosystem iTrackr.com Major Shareholder & Management: Focused on creating the vertical strategy and establishing retail implementation partnerships Engages in the development, marketing, and commercialization of an online product and inventory search application for retailers and consumers. Operates itrackr.com, a social networking platform that enables users to locate products and services available in brick-and-mortar stores within their local communities, based on real-time inventory data and geographic location. Early adapters included Best Buy & Radio Shack Cyber Hunting - iTrackr helps consumers bag just what they’re looking for APRIL 2009 - NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION MAGAZINE PriceDrive.com Co-Founder & VP - Business Development; Joining the company at the pre-seed stage and playing a key role in its early formation and growth. He was actively involved in the strategic development and execution of the company’s business plans, helping to shape its market positioning and operational direction. Founded in 1999, PriceDrive.com was an early adopter of data-driven technology and services within the automotive industry, pioneering the use of real-time market intelligence to optimize used vehicle acquisition, pricing, and inventory management. The company developed a platform that aggregated dealer accounting system data and translated it into actionable insights, enabling dealerships to reduce days-to-sale, increase margins, and make smarter purchasing decisions. Backed by the venture capital arm of media giant Landmark Communications. PriceDrive — An Early Adopter Transforming Automotive Market Intelligence (1999) Dealerwire.com Management & Lead for acquisition: Evaluated potential growth strategies for the company, concluded that acquisition was the optimal path, identified a prospective acquirer, and led the acquisition discussions Evaluates a dealership’s sales and inventory performance by vehicle make, model and trim, including information about unit sales, costs, days to turn, and front-end gross profit. The solution reviews actual vehicles on the lot and provides specific recommendations for vehicles that should be added or deleted to improve a dealership’s profitability and return on investment. Acquired by DealerTrack Holdings DealerWire Acquisition Strengthens DealerTrack’s Vehicle Inventory Solutions AUGUST 2006 - F&I MAGAZINE The Yankles Movie Lead for the DVD deal with Mark Cuban: A 2009 film about a college baseball team from an Orthodox Yeshiva. The film, shot in Utah with a predominantly Mormon cast, won several awards at film festivals. Did not receive a theatrical release. Cast stars included Brian Wimmer, Bart Johnson and Don Most. Magnolia Home Entertainment acquired the rights and released it on DVD in 2012 From the Diamond to DVD: The Yankles Partners with Magnolia Picture - A Unique Baseball Comedy-Drama (2009) Antoine Amrani Chocolates Restructuring & Strategic Management: As part of an operational restructuring initiative, optimized production and cut costs while maintaining quality, boosting margins and revenue, strengthening key retail partnerships, and repositioning the brand for acquisition. Antoine Amrani Chocolates is a premium producer of gourmet and artisan chocolates, known for its luxurious, handmade confections. The company operated through a boutique retail location and a robust direct-to-consumer online store, with additional distribution through prestigious retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Dean & DeLuca Trendsetters represented Antoine Amrani Chocolates in a strategic advisory and positioning engagement BackStopDaily.com Co-Founder: Online, tournament-style daily fantasy sports platform designed to deliver both cash and non-cash games for social, promotional, and charitable purposes. Combines advanced analytics, athlete insights, and real-time baseball statistics. Developed strategic marketing partnerships, including with Phillies great Darren Daulton, and forged a pilot program with Harrah’s Entertainment for Chester and Atlantic City locations (dubbed “Fantasy Sports Central” — dedicated spaces within the properties to host fantasy-themed crowds on select days of the week, featuring a customized platform for patrons and fantasy players, including drinks and food specials and opportunities to earn casino points) BackStopDaily.com: Bringing Smarter Fantasy Sports to Life Lenny Dykstra's Car Wash & Wax Kit Creator & Strategist: Developed viable extension of the car wash business, overseeing all aspects of product formulation, packaging, and establishing retail partnerships "Grand Slam" Car Wash & Wax Kit, inspired by Lenny Dykstra’s successful Southern California car wash chain. The product was marketed through QVC, Pep Boys, and other automotive retailers. One highly reputable industry expert praised the car wax and wash as a high-quality product—delivering a long-lasting shine and protective finish, all enhanced by a rich cherry scent that leaves vehicles looking and smelling showroom-fresh. Discontinued product line based on its heavy reliance on athlete tenure for promotions during the post launch phase. The firm also co-managed several of other Dykstra’s business ventures. Turning Car Wash Success into Retail: The Grand Slam Car Wash & Wax Kit Venture CarsArrive Network, Inc. Inception Advisory: Provided strategic guidance and business focus to develop a viable concept for investors and market entry Automated vehicle-shipping platform that facilitates digital vehicle movement analysis. Platform connects shippers and carriers to optimize load management and track shipments. CarsArrive is North America's largest automated vehicle transport provider, delivering over 3 million vehicles annually. The company operates a vast network of more than 30,000 transportation service providers, including 4,500+ registered carriers with access to over 30,000 trucks, ensuring reliable and efficient vehicle logistics across the continent. Acquired by OPENLANE, Inc. ("OPNN") CarsArrive: Driving Innovation and Leadership in North America’s Vehicle Transport Sector Hughes Supply, Inc. Logistics Consultant (Hired by SVP - Corporate Relations): Streamlined supply chain inventory management and delivery operations across distressed distribution centers nationwide, enhancing efficiency and service reliability. Distributor of HVAC and electrical supplies servicing residential, commercial, light industrial, and government markets. Specialized in a broad product range including faucets, valves, hand tools, and heaters, along with delivery and consultation solutions. Acquired by Home Depot, Inc. Other Notable Ventures & Initiatives ScoutLit Athlete performance tracking application developed to support real-time metrics, analysis, and player development insights for scouts, coaches, and teams. Evolution Media Group Creator of Q-Builder, a software platform enabling college students to create customized educational tools and study aids. Acquired by Cendant Corporation VoiceFlash Networks Provider of cutting-edge speech recognition, wireless communication, and Bluetooth™ integration technologies. Piloted at the ARCO Arena to demonstrate voice-controlled venue services. Sears Roebuck Co. – “Store to Door" concept Originated and developed the “Store to Door” local delivery concept for Sears (piloted at select Delaware stores), seeking to pioneer same-day and next-day local delivery long before it became an industry standard Shopping Delivery Service Adds Sears to Beta Partner Program, Expanding “Store to Door” Local Delivery Initiative MARCH 1992 - THE NEWS JOURNAL Miscellaneous Notables about our Founder: Venture Capital & Investment: Raised $70M+ in venture capital across multiple startups and business ventures; served as an investor and was actively involved in the SPAC raise with Allied Esports Entertainment Philanthropy: Co-Founder of the Darren Daulton Foundation (supporting patients and families affected by malignant brain cancer) Entrepreneurship & Mentorship: Entrepreneur mentor at the Enterprise Development Corporation of South Florida (supporting 300+ startups annually and contributing to over $500M in economic impact since 1994) Public Service: Elected Delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Small Business (contributing to national small business policy recommendations) Franchising: Partner in a business venture involving ownership of three Quizno's restaurants, with exclusive territorial rights in Southwest Florida Selected Sports & Entertainment Business Affairs Clients: Individual Athletes & Personal Brands • Pete Rose • Curt Schilling • Lenny Dykstra • Tommy Lasorda • Darren Daulton • Eric Lindros Media, Entertainment & Personalities • Fred Rubino (Comedian) • Jill Nicolini (TV Personality) • Dorothy Krysiuk (Broadcast Journalism) • Mike Missanelli (Sports Radio Personality) • Simon Cowell (TV Personality) Sports, Food & Lifestyle Brands • Paul Wahlberg (Wahlburgers Corporation - Burger restaurant chain) Organization & Sports Properties • Philadelphia Union • Philly Sports Holdings • Florida Marlins • Miami Dolphins • Miami Heat • Houston Astros • Baltimore Orioles Non-Profit / Civic Organizations • Curtis Sliwa (Guardian Angels)