For Founders, By Founders
Our Philosophy
Entrepreneurs are like artists; you have a passion to create and a need to get through “the noise” to be heard or seen. We know how much noise there is in today’s world. However, within that noise there are leaders and founders moving in the currents of powerful long-term trends that will recreate our economy and our world. DTN Ventures wants to invest in you, invest into these trends. As a team that has started our own businesses, worked with dozens of founders, and has a diverse network of advisors, we are here to help cut through the noise and empower you to create, build, succeed. Everyone has a story to tell. We want to be part of the story you are about to write.
The DTN Difference
What We Offer
The DTN team has been investing in the private markets since the mid-2000s across a number of different verticals, including Media & Entertainment, Logistics, Infrastructure, Telecom, Technology Renewable Resources, and Energy & Power. Our most interesting investments have operated at the intersection of one or more of these verticals. Our most successful endeavors have occurred where nascent opportunities driven by talented founders and managers were allowed to grow organically into mature, multi-billion-dollar enterprises without the pressure of an arbitrary exit timeline. DTN looks to continue this tradition seeking early-stage opportunities that have broad secular trend support.
This One's for Brett
Inspiration
Brett D. Hellerman was our friend and mentor, he gathered a team and held them together like a family. Brett had a terrific laugh and sense of humor. He lived boldly by principles like “Don’t bet against Brett” and “Damn the naysayers”. He was a serial entrepreneur whose infectious enthusiasm and energetic intellect touched everything he did, and everyone he worked with. He loved a great idea, he executed with class, and ties weren’t optional. Brett founded many companies, but the creation of Wood Creek Capital Management in 2006 was the beginning of an era. A family and culture was born, and many of its members now form DTN.
Brett was passionate about learning, writing, and educating. For many years he wrote a monthly Commentary sharing his thoughts about current events impacting the investment world and distributed it to his widespread contacts. He created a “Reading Day” where the group would research and come together to discuss, present ideas and just think without distraction. Brett was theatrical and creative and had a larger-than-than-life personality that drew people to him.
Brett is deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to cross his path.