About Us
Intersouth Partners is one of the most active and experienced venture capital firms in the Southeast, having invested in more than 100 private companies. Founded in 1985, Intersouth manages $780 million in seven venture capital limited partnerships, making it the largest venture capital fund in North Carolina and one of the largest in the Southeast.
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Based in Durham, North Carolina, Intersouth Partners seeks a broad range of investment opportunities in the technology and life science sectors. Our experienced team has full-cycle experience in the complex matters associated with investing in fledgling companies, including technology assessment and transfer, management team development, corporate partnering, sales growth and successful exits.
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We are not making new investments at this time.
History
Intersouth Partners, the oldest venture capital firm in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region, is also one of the oldest in the Southeast. Like other entrepreneurial endeavors, Intersouth had relatively humble beginnings. Dennis Dougherty and Roy Rodwell founded the first Intersouth fund in 1985 with just $6.4 million in committed capital. They believed that entrepreneurship would be an important part of the successful growth of the Research Triangle and North Carolina and that a venture fund located in and focused on the region would help catalyze that growth.
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Dougherty was introduced to Eugene Kleiner, founder of the pioneer venture firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield and Byers. Mr. Kleiner joined Intersouth as a Special Limited Partner and Chairman of the first Intersouth Advisory Board. He remained active with the firm until his retirement in 1998.
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Intersouth Partners II was raised in 1989. Shortly thereafter, the firm added a third partner, Mitch Mumma, who had been involved in several of Intersouth’s portfolio companies as a CFO.