Bantam Group

Overview

Bantam Group is a private investment firm based in Westwood, Massachusetts, dedicated to supporting early-stage companies through active involvement and mentorship. The firm invests its time, money, intellect, and, at times, soul into emerging companies, primarily in the technology sector. Their commitment is deep, aiming to develop personal relationships with entrepreneurs and serving as mentors, coaches, and advocates for the company, its founders, management team, and shareholders. In most cases, their role is advisory, acting as catalysts for growth. However, when appropriate, they provide specific services ranging from interim management to the negotiation and structuring of financial and strategic partnerships. Over the past 20 years, Bantam Group has helped countless entrepreneurs realize their dreams and goals. Their investments are not limited to one industry; they are drawn to novel concepts and big ideas, as well as simple, mundane concepts executed with passion. The firm's only prerequisites, regardless of market, product, or technology, are that the people they work with be of high integrity and be candid and sincere in their communications. They seek to engage in business relationships defined by natural rapport and mutual respect, not relationships based solely on their roles in the business. Their investments have included software, web services, materials/semiconductor, energy, security, analytical instrumentation, business services, life science, and retail/consumer sectors. Most of their investments are near greater Boston, preferring situations where they have a chance to get to know the founder in person or where they already know board members or other investors close to the company. They will make exceptions to this if they have deep knowledge or strong interest in a particular market or technology. Bantam Group's role is normally that of investor and advisor. In cases where they develop a personal relationship with the entrepreneur, they also provide additional hands-on services and act as a catalyst to spur growth. In past engagements, their role has been to serve as mentor to the founder(s), coach for the management team, pro-active advocate for the entrepreneur, the company, and its shareholders, provide access to a network of experienced investors, prospective team members, professional service providers, and strategic partners, and structure and negotiate to successful conclusion financings, strategic partnerships, and acquisitions. For the last 20 years, Joe Caruso has served as mentor, coach, and personal advisor to CEOs and entrepreneurs. In recent years, he has served as investor, advisor, and active director with dozens of companies, public and private. Joe is currently a member of Launchpad Venture Group and was previously a member of Walnut Ventures, Common Angels, eCoast Angels, and a principal of Brookwood Partners, all investment groups for early-stage companies. He also maintains an active consulting practice dealing with structuring and negotiation of acquisitions, strategic partnerships and financings, and issues related to dispute resolution. He has served on dozens of boards over the years and is recipient of the Leadership in Private Corporate Governance award from the National Association of Corporate Directors New England Chapter. He is a graduate of Northeastern University (BSEE with honors) and the Harvard Business School (MBA). He has served as advisor to Northeastern’s School of Technological Entrepreneurship, and serves as a mentor for Boston University’s entrepreneurship program, the Boston TechStars program, and Mass Challenge.

Investment Focus

• High integrity
• Candid and sincere communication
• Natural rapport and mutual respect

Portfolio Companies