
A failed flower business sharpened Stephen Hicks’s views on cash. The Southridge founder’s career runs through small-company finance, Ridgefield philanthropy and a securities case with lasting consequences.

After learning the limits of mutual funds at Sentry Investments, Blair Driscoll helped build FAX Capital around money that could stay put. His career follows a practical question: what can a smaller business become when its investor has time to wait?

After decades investing in small companies, Mike Balkin moved into the CEO seat at Horizon Technology Finance. His next act puts a growth investor’s instincts to work in a business where the money must come back.