Rockfish Interactive, a growing digital branding agency that recently opened a Cincinnati office, is expanding deeper into entrepreneurial territory with a VC division.
The company just launched
Rockfish Brand Ventures to help fund digital startups focused in the consumer internet, mobile and retail sectors. In addition, Rockfish Brand Ventures will offer tech and marketing support.
"This allows us to be a better partner with our clients. With the pace of change in the digital realm, if we want to be a true digital innovation partner we have to have our finger on the pulse of startups and emerging media," said Rockfish Interactive Chief Marketing Officer Dave Knox, who works in Cincinnati and sits on Rockfish Brand Ventures investment committee.
The Northwest Arkansas-based, multi-media consulting and technology agency is among Inc. 500's fastest growing U.S. companies. It counts Fortune 500 companies like Walmart, Sam's Club, Cisco, Procter & Gamble and Tyson Foods among its clients. In addition to Cincinnati, Rockfish has offices in Little Rock, Dallas and San Francisco.
Rockfish Ventures is exploring new territory in becoming an investment partner with the same types of clients Rockfish Interactive has helped create marketing campaigns and brand identities. Though Rockfish has national reach with investment in companies across the country, it offers Cincinnati startups another place to seek VC funding in their backyard.
Rockfish Brand Ventures plans to make about 10 investments in the next 12-24 months and will partner with other VC firms and investment groups.
"From day one, Rockfish has been committed to digital innovation on behalf of our clients and our own company," said Rockfish Founder and CEO Kenny Tomlin. "In only five years, we have incubated and launched more than 10 brands and proprietary technologies, while simultaneously becoming one of the fastest-growing and award-winning digital agencies. This is a natural evolution to our model."
Rockfish Brand Ventures isn't just offering dollars, an Advisory Board of industry veterans in technology, venture and marketing will also offer support to new companies.
To find out more, or to apply, contact Rockfish
online.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Rockfish Interactive CFO Dave Knox
You can follow Feoshia on Twitter
@feoshiawrites
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