Open Air Equity Partners - Venture capital firm
Open Air Equity Partners
Capital for connecting people and things to achieve transformational results C2FO is the world's only global, collaborative exchange for working capital Participants are buyers and suppliers who use the market to increase profit, and accelerate cash flow between themselves C2FO is Collaborative Cash Flow Optimization Learn more CommerceSignals is a real time exchange for transactional data CommerceSignals allows businesses to optimize and monetize their data assets through a real time exchange platform that provides a marketplace for buyers and sellers based upon relevance and use Learn more Gift Card Impressions (GCI) is the leading Gift Card packaging and merchandising solutions provider They build customized solutions to deliver strategically focused; brand-differentiating concepts that drive incremental gift card sales by making your products stand out at 3rd party point-of-purchase, in your stores and online GCI’s solutions make the gift-giving occasion more memorable and personalized using the latest technologies to appeal to all five senses! They provide the most strategic, innovative and cost-effective solutions to achieve your specific objectives Gift Card Impressions…where innovation meets gifting Learn more Gogo (IPO 2013) turns a commercial airplane into a Wi-Fi hotspot with true inflight Internet access Passengers with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, can surf the Web, check e-mail, instant message, access a corporate VPN and more Gogo Inflight Internet is available on all AirTran Airways and Virgin America flights, and select Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways flights Learn more HYLA Mobile, formerly eRecyclingCorps, is one of the world’s leading providers of products and services that capture, extend and optimize the life and value of used mobile devices The company is transforming the wireless ecosystem by helping consumers realize and immediately take advantage of the residual value of used devices and providing a reliable and responsible way of collecting, processing and distributing used mobile phones Learn more InSequent provides a SaaS mobile marketing solution for Local/SMBs The platform converts existing desktop websites into mobile optimized versions in under 1 minute just by entering your URL The included Content Management System contains simple-to-use tools to edit your content with little to no technical skill necessary Along with total website management there is a complete SMS suite for customer engagement, keywords, short codes, QR Codes, Mobile Coupons, opt-in widgets and much more A truly turn-key platform designed for local business to quickly and easily get mobile and engage with customers on the largest channel there is InSequent sells direct and through channel partners such as ReachLocal, McClatchy, Digital First Media and others Learn more
Main Street Data is an agriculture data analytics company that has the largest and highest quality data set of corn, soybean and wheat yield, as well as related naturally-occurring variables at the granular resolution of 150 square feet Through data science and machine learning, the company creates tools to help farmers optimize production and maximize the price received for their crops Learn more Pepper has created a simple yet powerful operating system and service delivery platform for the IoT, offering partners a world-class user experience coupled with an extensible architecture Combining a comprehensive service delivery platform and a unique flexible tile-based software framework, Pepper provides enterprise partners the ability to launch scalable IoT products, experiences and services Pepper enables options which range from basic single-function solutions, to rich, sophisticated systems that seamlessly orchestrate many connected end-points, services, and integrations Learn more RedStone Logistics is a unique, third-party logistics company specializing in Logistics Management Services, RedStone Logistics serves the full spectrum of the transportation element the supply chain: small package, less-than-truckload, truckload, expedited shipments, even air shipments Learn more Store Financial (acquired by Emerchants 4/28/16) is an innovator of electronic card payment programs that processes about $2 billion in B2B payments each year The company delivers private-label payment card solutions to some of the largest corporate brands around the globe We manage more than 650 payment programs including incentive, loyalty, gift and disbursement programs for more than 450 brands in the U S , Canada and Europe Store Financial enables redemption, controls the use and automates settlement of funds without the need for POS integration or IT development We issue payments in four currencies: USD, CAD, EUR, and GBP Our onsite technical and customer service teams offer support in five languages, with 24/7 support in English and French Learn more Zave Networks (acquired by Google 9/2/11) offers a revolutionary technology point-of-sale platform that for the first time ever connects digital marketing and advertising with physical in-store sales, delivering on the promise of "clicks to bricks " Zave's unique platform enables marketers, retailers, and product manufacturers to create, distribute, and process digital coupons, promotions, and incentives real-time at the point of sale in a way that's convenient and simple for consumers Retailers and manufacturers are able to measure, in real-time, the effectiveness of their efforts, including which of their promotions is leading to actual retail sales Zave Networks is the first solution that closes the redemption loop, allowing for unprecedented marketing insights and optimization Learn more As mobile data usage proliferates, carriers are faced with a key challenge: how to extract revenue from mobile data usage Lack of visibility into what mobile users are doing with data, which applications are being consumed and how usage correlates with user demographics and location have made it impossible to build actionable user profiles Zettics (a merger between Ground Truth and Umber systems) provides the first, intelligent monitoring and analytics solution that works across applications, devices, networks and locations It provides a clear, accurate and ongoing picture of mobile data usage Learn more Zubie is a mobile and Internet services company focused on maximizing connected-car capabilities for consumers and businesses The company, formerly known as GreenLight Connectivity Solutions, was formed in 2012, and is headquartered in Charleston, SC, with offices in the Minneapolis area Learn more Ron LeMay serves as Managing Director and Co-Founder of OpenAir Equity Partners as well as Chairman of many of its portfolio companies OpenAir Equity Partners specializes in “Internet of Things” and related data science investments with portfolio companies that focus on connected car, home, aircraft and ag machinery businesses
Ron’s unique expertise in the wireless industry has helped place OpenAir Equity Partners portfolio companies at the forefront of transformation Previously, Ron served as President – COO of Sprint As the first employee and CEO of Sprint PCS, Ron guided the company from start-up to $10B in annual revenue faster than any company in U S history He also served as CEO of Japan Telecom, where he orchestrated the company’s turn-around and successful sale to SoftBank In addition, Ron is a Co-Founder of GoGo Inflight Internet Services, the leading broadband in-flight Internet service Ron currently serves on the boards of GoGo Inflight Internet Services, Zubie, and Hyla Mobile, and has served on 8 public company boards and numerous private company boards over the last 20 years
A native of Arkansas, Ron attended Southern Arkansas University where he earned a bachelor’s degree and was named Outstanding Business Student He also attended the University of Arkansas School of Law where he graduated with honors Ron and his wife reside in Kansas City and spend time enjoying their seven grandchildren
Kathy Walker is a managing director at OpenAir Equity Partners and serves on both public, private and not for profit boards She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Adtran, Pepper, as well as Zubie In addition, she is the President of the Board of Trustees at the Missouri School of Science and Technology as well as a member of South Dakota State University’s Council of Trustees She is also a board member for the NACD Heartland Chapter and serves as chair of the programming committee
With over 25 years of technology experience in the communications sector and 9 years of board service in public and private companies, Ms Walker is a well-regarded expert in technology based services and enjoys the challenges of supporting early stage firms in the mobility, IoT and data analytics space Her extensive career in telecommunications spanned many technology introductions and included roles that were both strategic and operational Her final role at Sprint was the combined responsibilities of both Chief Network Officer and Chief Information officer
Ms Walker is a graduate in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State University and holds her Master of Science in Engineering Management from Missouri S&T She resides in Olathe, KS
Lance is a seasoned and respected investor in the technology and innovation space He is the founder of October Capital, a privately funded venture firm that invests primarily in innovative, technology-enabled businesses Lance possesses an operational expertise, entrepreneurial mindset, and collaborative approach that make him stand out as a leader in the venture capital market and causes him to be a highly-sought-after board member Known for his hands-on leadership style, Lance has mentored numerous successful entrepreneurs and management teams Among Lance's accomplishments:
As an advocate of entrepreneurship and venture investing, Lance is an oft-requested speaker and panelist He has worked diligently for more than 10 years to stimulate innovation in the Midwest through entrepreneurship and venture investment Lance holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas He lives in Kansas City with his wife and five children, including two sets of twins
Scott is a knowledgeable and connected wireless investor, with more than 16 years of wireless operating experience Prior to joining OpenAir, he served as founder and general manager of Sprint Nextel Ventures, the company arm tasked with seeking out and securing high-potential ventures and investments With 11 years of Sprint leadership in venture capital, business development, sales, and marketing roles, Scott is considered a wireless industry influencer, with a solid record in leading dozens of wireless market business deals, partnerships, and investments Among Scott's accomplishments:
