Don Smith

Partner @ Tanager Holdings, LLC

About

I am a bit like Farmer's Insurance - I know a thing or two, because I've seen a thing or two. I've been in 7 different industries over my career, ranging from law to software to healthcare and beyond. I have a law degree; been licensed as an attorney, a stock broker, insurance agent, mortgage banker; and I've now started a few businesses and managed to raise capital, and every day, I get to learn something new. I’m grateful for the breadth of experiences, the people I’ve learned from, and the fact that I still get to learn something new every day. In short, I have one of the best jobs on the planet.

Country

City

United States

Industry

Venture Capital & Private Equity

Skill

Startup Development, Business Strategy, Project Management, Product Development, Risk Management, Portfolio Management, Management, Strategy, Financial Services, Finance, Loans, Strategic Planning, Mortgage Lending, Banking, Business Development, Analytics, Strategic Partnerships, Marketing, Credit, Mortgage Banking

Experience

Partner

Tanager Holdings, LLC

2021-8 - Present · 5 yrs 2 mos

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Tanager Holdings was formed in 2021 to help bring to market great ideas that have an impact on a community, a region, or the world, but have struggled to commercialize due to lack of funding or adequate business and market planning. Tanager is Venture Studio. We select founders with great ideas or products and a pragmatic philosophy and help bring their idea to life. We develop the go-to-market strategy, form the business entity, define the exit strategy, and raise funds. Then we execute against that plan. We are different from traditional VCs or private equity firms. Our primary goal is creating businesses that maximize the impacts of their products while being profitable, in that order.

Head of Strategy

Gray Collar

2025-1 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

Head of Strategy

VisionCore AI

2024-7 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

Building out the business around this fascinating technology.

CEO

Covixyl® Nasal Spray

2021-10 - Present · 5 yrs

United States

Director of Product Solutions

LoanLogics, Inc.

2010-10 - 2021-10 · 11 yrs 1 mo

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

I led a team of 5 business analysts responsible for roadmap and requirements for 2 SaaS-based platforms. We coordinated with clients to gauge demand for new features, and worked with programmers and QA testers to execute on the changes. We were also responsible for generating product videos and documentation for client training, marketing, and in-house training.

Board Member

Habitat for Humanity of Oregon

2008-7 - 2013-8 · 5 yrs 2 mos

Served as Board President 2010-2013.

Wealth Management Advisor

U.S. Bank

2009 - 2010-10 · 1 yr

Once we gain an understanding of your financial goals, I will work with clients to develop a comprehensive, integrated wealth management strategy so that they can focus on their goals and aspirations.

Trust Relationship Manager

U S Bank Private Client Group

2007-9 - 2009-3 · 1 yr 7 mos

I manage and coordinate the financial services for my clients - from investment management to financial advice, from trustee work to private banking. I don't necessarily perform the functions, but I quarterback it all so my clients call me with whatever their needs or desires are and I make it happen. We manage money for clients who have a minimum of $500,000 in investable assets, but we are usually managing $1MM and up. I am a confidant, advisor, fiduciary, and concierge all rolled into one.