Episode 32: The Future of Work – GrayHawk Capital

May 17, 2021 | Community Connections Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

EP32 The Future of Work – GrayHawk Capital

In this episode of Water Cooler Conversations, Kyle is joined for a special show by co-host Scott McIntosh, and they speak with Brian Burns and Sherman Chu from Grayhawk Capital, Arizona’s largest Venture Capital fund. They explore the world of businesses raising capital in Arizona and what the current and future state look like. They discuss the investor and CEO relationship and how important it is to have a strong strategic and personality fit way before deciding if they monetary deal makes sense for both parties.

Learn about the world of Venture Capital Financing in Arizona and how the current entrepreneurial ecosystem is set up better today than it ever has been in the past to support growth stage businesses, and how to get connected to these resources as a CEO or growing business.

Grayhawk Capital provides venture capital to outstanding early and growth stage companies located in the Southwest. The partners of Grayhawk Capital have experience managing 10 separate venture funds, totaling more than $525 million with a collective 80+ years of experience.

Grayhawk is currently investing an $80 million fund. Our investment philosophy has remained consistent through the years and we target companies with the following type of characteristics: – Serial entrepreneurs and exceptional management teams – Dynamic, rapidly growing technology markets – Innovative and disruptive product offerings.

The current sectors for investment include mobile computing, cloud/SaaS, security, enterprise & application software, business intelligence, healthcare IT, and financial.

Sherman I. Chu (56), Managing Member, co-founded Grayhawk Capital in 1999. Mr. Chu has more than 29 years of venture capital and private equity experience. In addition, Mr. Chu has 23 years of experience working with or managing SBICs.

Prior to co-founding Grayhawk Capital, Mr. Chu was a Partner at CEP from 1995 to 2008. Mr. Chu started his venture capital career at Banc One Capital Partners where he joined as an Associate in 1991 and later became Assistant Vice President.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Chu held financial positions within various industries ranging from technology-based start-up companies to the banking industry.

Mr. Chu has served on the boards of 16 privately held companies. Mr. Chu holds a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Arizona.

Brian N. Burns co-founded Grayhawk Capital in 1999. Grayhawk Capital is managing its fourth venture capital fund, Grayhawk Venture Fund III, LP. Mr. Burns has more than 30 years of private equity and venture capital experience.

Prior to co-founding Grayhawk Capital, Mr. Burns served as Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the investment subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp., a $3 billion NYSE company, from 1998 to 2000.

Mr. Burns was a CPA for 35 years and started at Arthur Andersen & Co. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arizona State University and has served on the board of 18 privately held companies.

Follow Grayhawk Capital on LinkedIn and Facebook.

The Future of Work is MAC6.  The traditional commercial real estate model is in a state of disruption. Are you paying rent that is too high for underutilized space? Are you struggling to maintain culture with a working from home workforce? Are you looking for an innovative approach, flexible workspaces, a thriving community, and seamless virtual technology?

Located in Tempe, 10 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and 15 minutes from Arizona State University, the MAC6 Entrepreneurial Center campus offers 85,000 square feet of traditional and non-traditional private office flex-suites, 25,000 square feet of co-working desks, workstations and fully furnished private offices, a focus on health, wellness and productivity, including a 24×7 on-campus gym, virtual AND In-Person Meeting and event spaces.

MAC6 is ideal if you are looking for a move in ready private suite ranging from 850 to 16,000 square feet, and a flexible and productive place to grow your business, or for your working from home employees.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn.

During his early career, Scott McIntosh grew McIntosh Engineering to become a global leader in the sustainable development of deep underground mining projects worldwide.

Following a successful acquisition and exit, Scott shifted his purpose to Advocating Capitalism as a Force for Good, through for-profit MAC6, and non-profit Conscious Capitalism Arizona, both co-founded with Scott’s business partner and son Kyle McIntosh.

Locally owned and operated, MAC6 offers 150,000 square feet of Co-Working and Co-Manufacturing workspace in service to entrepreneurs, professional advisors, and mid-market businesses, or as a productive alternative for larger business employees currently working from home.

Leveraging his experience and deep commitment to learning, Scott offers mentorship and much more through the MAC6 Leadership Academy, fueling Scott’s passion to help leaders and leadership teams break through ceilings to growth.

More Podcast Episodes

Episode 29: The Future of Community with Lava Sunder

Apr 6, 2021

E29 The Future of Community with Lava Sunder On this episode of The Future of Work, we explore what the future of community looks like with our guest, Lava Sunder from Culdesac. Lava shares with us the details of the new car-less, people centered community being built...

Episode 28:The Future of Financial Planning with Austin Peterson

Mar 26, 2021

E28 The Future of Financial Planning with Austin Peterson On this episode of the Future of Work: Water Cooler Conversations we are joined by Austin Peterson of Backbone Financial. He shares his how growing up and spending time on a farm influenced his work ethic and...

ABOUT OUR CO-HOSTS

Kyle McIntosh

With a background in marketing, in various for profit and not for profit companies, Kyle McIntosh wondered, “How can I pair the passion and commitment to community progress of a non-profit with the sustainability and reach of a for profit company?” From this question and perspective a mission evolved to tear down the false distinction between the two sectors and to promote companies with Conscious Capitalism® business models through MAC6.

Kyle is the President and Creative Excitant of MAC6.  Day to day, his main operational role is on the “spaces” side of the business, focusing on creating thriving communities in the commercial office buildings, the co-working space, and the co-manufacturing space.  The other role that he plays is that of EOS implementer, working with clients to bring the Entrepreneurial Operating System, from the book Traction® to their businesses.  Additionally, he sits on the boards of Conscious Capitalism Arizona, telling the stories of good businesses in Arizona, and The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, sustaining Tempe’s quality of life and keeping our community and economy vibrant.

Kyle loves Arizona and wants to see us all collectively find great success based on the awesome things that are happening here every day.

Follow MAC6 on Facebook and Twitter.

Jennifer Burwell

Jennifer Burwell joined MAC6 in 2013. Jennifer is their VP and Director of Programs. She uses her experience in real estate, team development and management to seamlessly integrate each of the MAC6 business units to assure they are all focused on the long-term company vision. She is also a student of human behavior.

As a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, she uses her knowledge to facilitate culture-focused leadership programs with organizations of all sizes to integrate the company’s values and create higher-performing teams.

To learn more about MAC6 Communities, call 480-293-4075 or find them on Facebook.

 

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

MAC6 offers flexible spaces and programs to help your team grow, and a community of thriving businesses, just like yours.  Advocating Capitalism as a Force for Good, MAC6 is Accelerating the shift to Conscious Capitalism (where Purpose and Profit Unite) through Creativity, Collaboration, Community and Change.