Founded in 2004, Focal Point’s partners have managed and acquired capital for multiple businesses. They have also provided strategy consulting and financial advisory services to both public and private companies and non-profits.  

thane gauthier

Thane is a Focal Point Managing Partner.  He is a strategy, finance, and acquisitions professional with experience across multiple industries, deal stages, and deal types. He has been a private equity investor, an angel investor, and has also acquired companies on behalf of publicly-owned, private equity-owned, and funder=owned strategic acquirers. Thane has a BS in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT, an MS in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. 

JASON ZIELKE

Jason is a Focal Point Managing Partner.   Jason is a serial technology entrepreneur with a love for challenging B2B, manufacturing and industrial segments.    Currently he is CEO and co-founder of Wire Pulse, a digital technology company with a focus on vertical solutions for the wire and cable industry.    Prior to this he has built successful companies in the natural gas utility pipeline and clean energy industries, as founding CEO and CTO, respectively.   Jason earned a BS in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University, an MS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from the University of Chicago in Finance and Strategy. 

Blair Smith

Blair is a Focal Point Senior Consultant. He is a marketing strategist and disruptor adept at transforming brands at all phases, from brand strategy through performance-based consumer execution. Blair is proficient at evaluating new business categories and delivering strategies that serve unmet consumer needs. He has created successful joint ventures and co-branded licensing agreements. Blair earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern and bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College.