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NEST-TN
NEST-TN is a seed and early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2009 by Fran F. Marcum, Managing Partner of Marcum Capital. NEST-TN has made 10 investments,...
NEST-TN
NEST-TN is a seed and early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2009 by Fran F. Marcum, Managing Partner of Marcum Capital. NEST-TN has made 10 investments, including a 2018 investment in SIGNiX. The firm has 2 portfolio exits, including American Geothermal in 2025.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
2009
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Tullahoma
Corporate office
Tullahoma, TN, United States
Frequently asked questions
What is NEST-TN's primary investment focus?
NEST-TN focuses on early-stage venture capital, with a specific emphasis on seed-stage investments. The firm targets general venture opportunities, providing initial capital to startup companies at their formation. This positions NEST-TN as a direct, early-entry investor in nascent businesses.
Who runs investment decisions at NEST-TN?
The principals and investment decision-makers at NEST-TN are not publicly disclosed. The firm maintains a low public profile with no LinkedIn page or detailed team biographies available on its website. This operational opacity is consistent with a closely held partnership or family-backed investment vehicle.
Is NEST-TN structured as a single family office or a traditional venture firm?
While NEST-TN is classified as an asset manager with a private equity subtype, its low-profile operational posture—absent public marketing, team disclosures, or institutional branding—is consistent with a family office or a small, closely held partnership. Without public fund filings or LP disclosures, the precise legal structure remains unconfirmed in public records.
Does NEST-TN participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Available information suggests NEST-TN deploys capital directly into companies, given its classification as a private equity firm targeting early-stage and seed ventures. There is no public indication of a fund-of-funds model or LP commitments to external managers.
Which sectors does NEST-TN explicitly target?
NEST-TN's specific sector preferences are not publicly disclosed. The firm categorizes its strategy broadly as general venture. Given its location in Tullahoma, near the Arnold Engineering Development Complex and the University of Tennessee Space Institute, the firm may have natural exposure to aerospace, defense technology, or advanced manufacturing, though this is not confirmed.
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