Downing Capital Group

Exciting news from Bloomwell Autism Therapy! On January 6th, Bloomwell opened its first clinic in Woodbury, Minnesota, marking a major milestone in their mission to provide life-changing autism therapy to young children. We’re so proud of Logan Pratt and the entire Bloomwell team for their dedication and expertise as they continue to provide compassionate care and meaningful support to families. This marks the beginning of our journey to make ABA Therapy more accessible to families across the U.S. Congratulations to the Bloomwell team on this major achievement!

The Downing Capital Group US team gathered in Upstate New York last week for an inspiring retreat! From sessions like "Building Companies We Are Proud Of" to "Enhancing Efficiency with AI and Automation," we did a deep dive into strategy, culture, and innovation. It’s always energizing to connect and plan during these retreats. Here’s to continuing to build something extraordinary together!

Last week, our LatAm team came together in S?o Paulo for a mix of productivity, collaboration, and fun. ?? From brainstorming sessions to team-building activities, this meetup was a great reminder of the power of in-person connection. These moments of working, sharing ideas, and simply enjoying each other’s company strengthen not only our team but the culture we’re building at Downing. Looking forward to many more moments like this!

We’re proud to announce our investment in Maro, a game-changer in cybersecurity innovation. At Downing, we back bold ideas and exceptional leaders, and Maro fits the bill. After months of careful vetting, we stitched together an A+ team with an A+ idea: ?? Visionary Leadership: Jadon Cruz Montero, Craig Stevenson, and Gwen Betts bring a rare combination of technical expertise and creative brilliance ?? A Critical Mission: 68% of breaches stem from human error. Maro is tackling cyber human risk with a fresh, behavior-driven approach. ?? A Novel Perspective: Maro’s approach won’t just educate; they’ll provide social engineering safeguards, engage and reward employees, and give leaders powerful insights into security behaviors. We believe Maro is set to redefine how companies manage cyber human risk in a hybrid world and to ensure they adapt, grow, and thrive with security as a business enabler. Read on about the genesis of Maro, and how the team plans to rewrite cybersecurity’s human story: #BackingInnovation #NextGenCybersecurity #DeRiskedSuccess #MaroLaunch

??? Holiday Cheer from Cedar Brands! ??? We’re proud to spotlight the incredible work of Cedar Brands, one of our portfolio companies dedicated to scaling innovative, high-quality products that elevate everyday experiences. Cedar Brands is making an impact with three standout brands: ?? Nuzzie, offering premium weighted blankets and bedding products designed for comfort, relaxation, and better sleep—helping individuals and families embrace cozy moments during the winter months. ?? Jabaloo, focusing on thoughtfully crafted products for babies and toddlers, designed to bring joy and delight to families everywhere. ?? Country Kitchens, blending timeless design with modern functionality to create high-quality kitchenware that makes every home chef’s experience enjoyable and effortless. As we reflect on this season of giving, we’re excited to see Cedar Brands continue to grow and make a difference in the lives of so many families. Happy holidays from all of us at Downing Capital Group!

We are thrilled to introduce our new Ideation Principal, Marah Formanek, who joins us with a wealth of expertise in business strategy, venture building, and leadership. At McKinsey & Company, Marah specialized in helping companies rapidly launch new ventures and transform their operations. With a background in strategic finance and equity research, Marah has supported a wide range of startups and established companies, helping them navigate complex growth and innovation challenges. Marah’s proven success in launching high-impact ventures will be a strong addition to the team. We’re excited for the future and look forward to the incredible contributions Marah will bring to our team!

? Exciting updates from Wellnest Fertility!? We’re thrilled to share that Wellnest has launched its virtual clinic and is already assisting families who are pursuing IVF treatment! Construction of our first physical clinic in Ogden, Utah is almost complete, and we’re set to open our doors early 2025! ?? Read more about Wellnest's journey in the article “Why We Chose to Open Our Fertility Clinic in Northern Utah”—a glimpse into our mission to bring accessible and compassionate fertility care to this amazing community. Additionally, we’re proud to highlight some of Wellnest's past media coverage: ?? Heather (Hagg) West, PhD (CEO) and Dr. Nastaran Foyouzi (Medical Director) on ABC 4: https://lnkd.in/e7w4SCkY Wellnest is focused on reimagining fertility care with an emphasis on empathy, expertise, and inclusivity. As we near the grand opening, it’s amazing to reflect on how far we’ve come since we started our ideation process back in 2022.?It’s been an incredible journey, and we can’t wait to open our doors in just a few months! ??

When we decided to create Portoro, we set out with one goal: to transform the vacation home experience for both homeowners and guests. Led by Sam Heffernan, our research team spent months refining the idea and addressing key pain points we saw in the market. We knew vacation homeowners struggled with the complexities of property management and maximizing rental income, while guests wanted a more seamless, personalized experience. Through dozens of interviews with property managers, homeowners and travelers, and analyzing data from over 1,000 bookings, we pinpointed the need for a seamless blend of technology and high-end service. We’re thrilled to partner with Dustin Abney and the incredible team at Portoro. By combining automation with a human touch, we created a solution that not only drives higher returns for homeowners but also guarantees a unique experience for guests. Today, with over 500 properties in top-tier destinations, Portoro is the result of countless hours of collaboration, iteration, and a shared vision to reshape the vacation rental landscape. Here are a few sneak peaks of some of our favorite available homes ??

Extending a warm welcome to our newest Investment Intern Sanchie Shroff! Sanchie is an MBA Candidate at Harvard Business School and a campus investment partner at the MBA Fund. Sanchie graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University, where she majored in Business and Finance. She started her career as a consultant at McKinsey & Company then worked with WestBridge Capital and SoftBank as an Investment Associate.?We look forward to the great contributions she'll bring to our investment team. Welcome aboard, Sanchie!

We are thrilled to welcome our newest Investment Associate Intern, Julie K.! Julie is an MBA Candidate at Columbia Business School, where she is a Columbia Venture Fellow. She graduated from Amherst College with a degree in Neuroscience and began her career at Clarion (now Lumanity), a life sciences consulting firm based in Boston, before becoming an investor at FemHealth Ventures.?We look forward to the great contributions she'll bring to our investment team. Welcome aboard, Julie!