We believe great companies are built everywhere. Capital should find them.

WHO WE ARE

The Heartland has world-class entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators. But too often, they lack the visibility and connectivity needed to attract the capital and talent they deserve. SmartMoney Group exists to change that.

WHAT WE DO

Intelligence first. Stories always. Education for the long term.

INTELLIGENCE

We make the ecosystem visible. Rankings, reports, and pipelines that show where the Heartland's capital and companies actually are.

MEDIA

We tell the stories the numbers can't. Podcasts and features that put Heartland founders in front of the audiences they deserve.

EDUCATION

We develop DealMakers.Founders who know how deals work, raise faster, and keep more. We teach what the deal table taught us.

THE VISION

Helping the Heartland connect and attract more capital.

OUR PEOPLE

Jeff (J.D.) Davids

Founder & Managing Partner

Dave Burkus

Executive Chairman

Shrey Kukreja

Venture Analyst

Olivia Baine

Associate Producer

Speaking
JD at the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center, San Francisco.
Jeff (J.D.) Davids · Founder & Managing Partner
A billion dollars of hard-won lessons, told from the stage.

Twenty-five years on both sides of the term sheet, distilled into talks that are candid, specific, and useful the morning after. JD keeps a limited calendar each year, and brings the deal table to the podium.

Select Stages & Appearances