Three local financial and venture capital experts have formed Tryon Capital Ventures to offer small to mid-size N.C. companies access to an investor network and growth mentoring.
The founders are Pete Coker, Robbie Hardy and Peter Reichard. The three say they created Chapel Hill-based Tryon as a boutique merchant banking firm that helps start-up and small to mid-size companies increase their financial stability, grow or execute a successful exit strategy.
“We do our best work with companies in crisis or that are at an inflection point in their life cycle,” says Coker. “They are experiencing a lull or decline in growth, entering a new market or facing new competitive issues. Whatever the crisis, we can bring the area’s broadest investor network to the table, we can offer unusual and creative financing solutions and we can mentor these companies through their crisis for quick recovery and a clean start on renewed business health and growth.”
Coker has held senior positions at several financial services companies, including investment banks and asset management firms on Wall Street. He also serves on the board of directors of the N.C. State University Investment Fund and several start-up companies.
Hardy has held senior management positions with international consulting firms, was an MIS director in state government, and founder and CEO of several start-up technology companies. She also founded a seed stage capital fund specializing in high tech, bio-tech and life sciences investments in RTP and serves on the board of directors for a number of start-up companies and the executive board of directors for the CED.
Reichard has served as president of the Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, is a trustee for the Southern Growth Policies Board at Guilford Tech Community College and sits on the board of N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry.
Tryon Capital: www.tryoncapital.com
