Clients
Mercato Partners invests in high growth technology and consumer businesses nationwide. These companies are profitable or on the path to sustainable cash flow with $5 to $50 million in revenue. While Mercato generally invests in later financings as a minority shareholder, we are active participants in a company’s growth. Mercato investment candidates seek growth capital to fuel continued expansion through channel building, broader distribution, new product launches and acquisitions. Companies often seek partnership with Mercato Partners during the critical shift from direct to channel sales. This transition from a direct sales model to selling products through hundreds of resellers, channel partners and distributors is a moment of significant revenue inflection. This inflection point is where Mercato Partners invests. Sales expansion is the priority and speed and efficiency are critical.
Around the world today, over 1 billion people cannot find enough clean water to meet their most basic needs. According to the United Nations, this “global water crisis” will dramatically worsen in the coming decades. The earth holds sufficient water supplies to sustain our growing populations, but we must innovate better ways to tap, manage, and safeguard those supplies.
Given this critical need, the scientific team at Willowstick Technologies is immensely proud to have developed a revolutionary water mapping system known as AquaTrack™.
AquaTrack uses the magnetic fields created from electrical current flow to characterize water systems deep beneath the surface of the earth. It then generates maps of those systems, providing invaluable information to those trying to improve their understanding of the local hydrogeology, remediate subsurface pollution, diagnose the problem of reservoir seepage, and more.
The System
AquaTrack electrodes are placed anywhere they make direct contact with the groundwater network. This can be through springs, existing wells, or exploratory drill holes. The electrodes then charge the network with a low voltage electrical current. This current will flow through the water, gathering in areas of greatest concentration. As it snakes its way throughout the network—over an area of up to 1,000 acres—its sends out a magnetic message signaling key data about the groundwater, such as its location and shape.
The trick is to accurately capture and analyze that signal. AquaTrack accomplishes this by relying on the transformer theory. This theory holds that when a charged coil is positioned near a second coil, that second coil picks up the emitted magnetic field of the first. The connection of water, wire and electrode forms the first coil; the AquaTrack receiver is designed to serve as the second. True to the transformer theory, the receiver accurately registers the magnetic field of the electrode loop. The field data is then filtered through a series of expertly designed controls, thus ensuring the reliability of the data from which the AquaTrack maps are rendered.
Willowstick
The AquaTrack system incorporates a variety of devices, each carefully selected to play its role and all smoothly incorporated to the whole: Three magnetic sensors, oriented in orthogonal directions, receive the signal. A Campbell Scientific CR1000 data logger collects, filters and processes the sensor data. A Global Positioning System (GPS) instrument locates and maps the field measurements. And a Windows-based, Allegro CE handheld computer couples and stores the GPS data with the magnetic field data. All of this equipment is tightly integrated and mounted on a single surveyor’s pole, which makes its easily portable to even the most remote and inaccessible locations.
The Advantages
The most basic water-investigation technique is exploratory drilling. This is a hit-or-miss process of simply sinking a shaft to see if it intersects with water. This procedure is time consuming, expensive and environmentally traumatic—ill suited for both developing nations and ecologically sensitive locations. Until now, the alternatives were a variety of geophysical approaches such as resistivity surveying, which uses surface electrodes to charge the ground, measuring the resistance encountered by the electricity to determine where water is most likely to be found. These technologies enjoy certain advantages over exploratory drilling, but they are only effective at relatively shallow depths or are limited by other factors that often render the data inconclusive.
In contrast to these, the AquaTrack technology involves a minimally invasive procedure, which returns exceptionally accurate images from great depths (> 1 km). It is quick, inexpensive and environmentally benign.
The technology has proved extremely versatile. In early 2006, it was able to chart the seepage paths under a number of leaky dams in northwest England. This information, which traditional mapping methods had proved incapable of providing, helped conserve a highly valuable resource and protect the general public. In December 2005, AquaTrack determined the relationship between a disappearing stream in Pennsylvania and the abandoned coal mine shaft that lurked beneath the stream bed. It also has the capacity to delineate the pollution plume of contaminated groundwater, locate geothermal resources and accomplish a variety of other imaging tasks.
The Update
The AquaTrack system was substantially reworked in March of 2006 to improve on its existing design. The original instrument box, constructed of aluminum, was replaced by a new box crafted out of a PVC material. This change enhanced the instrument’s sensitivity to the magnetic field and reduced the overall weight of the equipment. The instrument programming has also been altered to take more readings at shorter intervals, thus producing more accurate, higher quality maps. To improve safety and avoid the small extant risk of electrical shock, a ground fault interrupter has been included as part of the AquaTrack system. Also of note are Willowstick’s improved capabilities to produce three-dimensional models of ground water systems and to achieve real-time characterization.
Willowstick
As a result of these modifications, the latest version is significantly more effective and safer than the original design.
Willowstick Technologies takes its name from the ancient practice of using the branches of willow trees to locate subsurface water. We have come a long way since those days; satellite locators, handheld computers and other innovative technologies based upon sound physical principles have replaced magical divining rods. But the quest remains largely the same: to make the most of the precious water lying hidden under our feet. AquaTrack’s remarkable ability to peer beneath the earth’s surface marks the latest step forward in our historic effort to understand the planet’s water resources.
Company Background
Willowstick Technologies is a leading provider of next generation, subsurface water mapping services. We have developed a patented geophysical technology, known as AquaTrack, that efficiently maps, tracks, and monitors groundwater resources.
In addition to our AquaTrack technology, we are also capable of employing traditional geophysical technologies such as: Self Potential, Electrical Resistivity including our unique RaMPS methodology, magnetics, electro-magnetics and gravity.
Willowstick was formed in June 2004 when Amp Capital Partners, a venture capital firm focused on renewable energy and natural resource projects, acquired a controlling interest of the AquaTrack Division of Sunrise Engineering. The AquaTrack Division of Sunrise Engineering was formed in 2001, when Dr. Jerry Montgomery and Rich Montgomery, the co-founders and inventors of the AquaTrack technology joined Sunrise.
vSpring is a traditional early-stage venture capital firm with over $350 million of committed capital under management. Specifically, we target information technology and life sciences companies headquartered in the Intermountain West region. We look for companies with the potential to transform their markets and create lasting value. Our primary areas of focus include enterprise software, networking and communications, security software, Internet, mobile computing, drug discovery, drug delivery, diagnostics, and medical devices, all markets where the firm has deep experience.
Our strategy is to be the first investor in these companies and to provide a level of operational assistance that creates additional value. We take a labor-intensive, service-oriented approach by making early introductions to key customers and strategic partners and helping to recruit top executives and co-investors.
So what makes vSpring qualified to help? Experience. Collectively, the vSpring team has founded, served as senior officers or board members of over 75 companies. Combined, the directors have a history of successful company leadership and private equity investments that span over 60 years. As a result, our team has the resources, decision-making experience, and relationships to meet the demands of today's entrepreneurs.
Utah Technology Council
Meet the premier professional organization for technology businesses in Utah
Why do technology companies choose Utah? There are plenty of good reasons—an appealing lifestyle, an abundance of well-educated, hard-working people, and a relatively low cost of doing business.
UTC exists to expand these reasons—and create entirely new ones—by working with business and government leaders to make Utah an even more vibrant, attractive, and rewarding place for technology companies to do business.
When you join the UTC, you instantly become part of a proven, powerful network of executives, innovators, and entrepreneurs working together to address the issues Utah technology companies care about most. You tap into a wealth of resources for raising capital and developing world-class talent for your business. And you join a strong, unified industry voice for improving Utah's business environment.
UTC is a member of the Council of Regional Information Technology Associations (CRITA), a national trade organization that represents 45 regional Technology trade organizations which in turn represent more than 15,000 technology-related companies in North America. For more information about CRITA, please visit www.crita.org.
Background
UTC is the premier industry-led technology organization in Utah. As a privately funded industry trade association, UTC was formed by the merger of the Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) and the Utah Life Science Association (ULSA) in April 2006. Both entities operated successfully for many years prior to the merger—UITA since 1991 and ULSA since 1994. After working together closely for over a decade, the respective boards determined that a merger would be in the best interests of both associations, providing even more momentum to ensure that both industries’ voices were heard. The needs and interests of life science and information technology-based businesses have been converging for some time, and many companies have activities in both sectors. By broadening the scope and becoming a full technology council, the UTC is an even stronger advocate for creating many new high-paying tech jobs in Utah.
Meet the premier professional organization for technology businesses in Utah
Why do technology companies choose Utah? There are plenty of good reasons—an appealing lifestyle, an abundance of well-educated, hard-working people, and a relatively low cost of doing business.
UTC exists to expand these reasons—and create entirely new ones—by working with business and government leaders to make Utah an even more vibrant, attractive, and rewarding place for technology companies to do business.
When you join the UTC, you instantly become part of a proven, powerful network of executives, innovators, and entrepreneurs working together to address the issues Utah technology companies care about most. You tap into a wealth of resources for raising capital and developing world-class talent for your business. And you join a strong, unified industry voice for improving Utah's business environment.
UTC is a member of the Council of Regional Information Technology Associations (CRITA), a national trade organization that represents 45 regional Technology trade organizations which in turn represent more than 15,000 technology-related companies in North America. For more information about CRITA, please visit www.crita.org.
Background
UTC is the premier industry-led technology organization in Utah. As a privately funded industry trade association, UTC was formed by the merger of the Utah Information Technology Association (UITA) and the Utah Life Science Association (ULSA) in April 2006. Both entities operated successfully for many years prior to the merger—UITA since 1991 and ULSA since 1994. After working together closely for over a decade, the respective boards determined that a merger would be in the best interests of both associations, providing even more momentum to ensure that both industries’ voices were heard. The needs and interests of life science and information technology-based businesses have been converging for some time, and many companies have activities in both sectors. By broadening the scope and becoming a full technology council, the UTC is an even stronger advocate for creating many new high-paying tech jobs in Utah.
US Synthetic leads the industry in the development and production of polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDCs) for oil and gas exploration. Our uncompromising commitment to constant innovation, outstanding quality, and superior customer service allows us to meet the highest performance standards and match the requirements of the world's most demanding oil exploration and development projects.
We are focused on the development of diamond inserts for use in drill bits for oil and gas exploration. We also provide a variety of diamond-enhanced components for use in downhole exploration and production.
US Synthetic employs 250 people, and is located in Orem, Utah. US Synthetic is part of Dover Corporation. We are part of the Energy Products Group of Dover Resources.
Sorenson Communications™ (www.sorenson.com) is a provider of industry-leading communications services and products. The company's offerings include Sorenson Video Relay Service (Sorenson VRS®), the highest-quality video interpreting service; the Sorenson (VP-100® and VP-200®) videophones; Sorenson IP Relay™ (SIPRelay), enabling text-to-speech relay communication; and Sorenson Video Remote Interpreting™ (VRI), a fee-based remote interpreting service.
The American Academy
The American Academy (TAA) is an online private high school that operates through its own NAAS accreditation and through a public-private partnership with the Utah Electronic High School (UEHS), one of the nation’s first public online high schools. UEHS has served more than 80,000 students since its inception in 1994.
The American Academy serves high school age and adult students worldwide who want to supplement their high school education or earn a high school diploma.
Through its unique online platform, The American Academy allows:
- Students to choose from 233 accredited courses offered 24 hours a day
- Traditional schools and post-secondary institutions to offer branded accredited high school curriculum online
- Employers to structure unique solutions to attract and retain employees.
Our company is based on the principles of social entrepreneurship. We are changing the face of American education by delivering an educational experience designed to meet the individual needs of each student. TAA offers educational solutions ranging from individual courses for credit recovery and acceleration to a full diploma program. Sessions start every Monday; students can begin their courses virtually any time and can work during the days and times that are most convenient for them. All core courses are led by Utah-licensed teachers and are accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.
The American Academy, Inc., was established in 2006 by Anthony E. Meyer and Paul Zane Pilzer. The mission of The American Academy is to provide high quality, flexible, affordable online courses and diploma programs to high school age students and to provide a complete, accredited U.S. diploma program to international students and to adults who left high school without a diploma.
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