Bradley Palmer Founder and Chairman of Palm Ventures

Bradley Palmer is the founder and chairman of Palm Ventures, established in 1992. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Before founding Palm Ventures, Mr. Palmer was a Senior Associate at James D. Wolfensohn, Inc., a strategic advisory and investment banking firm. He also served as Vice President in the Acquisition Finance division of Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company. Early in his career, he started a multi-location restaurant business in the Midwest, which he successfully sold.

Palm Ventures Overview

Palm Ventures is an active family office investment company managing capital for the Palmer family. The firm partners with management teams to build substantial value and create positive social impact. Investments span from incubation and seed stages to growth equity, buyouts, distressed situations, and small public companies. The primary focus is on companies that generate predictable revenue streams in fragmented industries and have a transformative impact on society.

Investment Sectors

Palm Ventures concentrates on six key sectors:

Education: Investing in innovative educational institutions and services.
Business Software and Services: Supporting companies that enhance business operations through software solutions.
Health Care / Health and Wellness: Focusing on businesses that promote health and well-being.
Human Resources: Investing in firms that improve workforce management and development.
Financial Services: Backing companies that offer innovative financial solutions.
Renewable Energy: Supporting initiatives that promote sustainable energy sources.

The firm is also open to opportunities in other industries, including distressed investments.

Investment Philosophy

Palm Ventures is guided by three fundamental principles:

Annuity Revenue Streams: Investing in businesses that provide products and services to other businesses, generating consistent revenue.
Growth through Add-On Acquisitions: Accelerating growth by acquiring complementary businesses.
Resource Access: Providing portfolio companies with resources in technology, marketing, product development, business development, and human resources.

The firm takes a value-added approach, leveraging strategic investors, retired executives, and accomplished operating professionals. Where possible, Palm Ventures seeks to invest in existing businesses as a platform to achieve substantial efficiencies and growth through technology application, add-on acquisitions, and bundling of related services.

Team Members

Rob Pflieger: Chief Investment Officer focusing on private and public equity investments. Before joining Palm Ventures, he founded Crystal Brook Capital Partners and held positions at Artha Capital Management and Coeus Capital. He holds a BBA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Jason Woody: Senior Managing Director focusing on investments in education, business services, and renewable energy sectors. Prior to joining Palm Ventures, he was an associate with Dubilier & Company and an analyst at Chase Securities Inc. He holds a BS from Cornell University and an MBA from Babson College.
Joshua Horowitz: Portfolio Manager overseeing hedge fund and constructive activist investments. He previously served as Director of Research for Inverlochy Capital and worked with a boutique European investment bank. He holds a BS in Management from Binghamton University.
Matt Wiant: Entrepreneur in Residence with 30 years of experience in consumer products and services. He has held various leadership roles, including President and COO of Murray's Cheese and CEO of The True Citrus Co. He began his career as a Food Process Engineer at Kraft/General Foods.

Contact Information

Website: http://www.palmventures.com
Address: 19 West Elm Street, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, US
Phone: (203) 302-7000

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When was Palm Ventures founded?

A: Palm Ventures was established in 1992.

Q: What industries does Palm Ventures invest in?

A: The firm focuses on education, business software and services, health care/health and wellness, human resources, financial services, and renewable energy.

Q: Who leads Palm Ventures?

A: Bradley Palmer is the founder and chairman of Palm Ventures.

TL;DR

Palm Ventures, founded by Bradley Palmer in 1992, is a family office investment company based in Greenwich, Connecticut. The firm partners with management teams to build value and create positive social impact, focusing on sectors such as education, business software and services, health care, human resources, financial services, and renewable energy. Guided by principles emphasizing consistent revenue streams, growth through acquisitions, and resource access, Palm Ventures leverages strategic investors and experienced professionals to support its portfolio companies.