IF A REGION'S BUSINESS CLIMATE CAN BE MEASURED BY THE STRENGTH OF ITS VENTURE CAPITAL
COMMUNITY,
No organization has had a stronger impact.
Provide a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their companies and venture
capitalists to share thought leadership
Entrepreneurs share startup vision, early-stage growth models, fundraising style, and
execution from 0 to 1
Venture Capitalists share thought leadership on due diligence, macroeconomic trends,
valuation methodology, etc.
Maintain strong relationships with local and regional VC’s
If you’re interested in being an annual meeting sponsor, please contact us for more information
Now in its 35th year, the Jemison Award is Vanguard’s most prestigious honor recognizing high quality, fast growing companies based in the Birmingham area.
Must demonstrate viable business model, i.e., company size, industry, cash flow,
etc.
Must be based in the seven-county Birmingham region
Must have at least one third-party investor that is not a company employee
Outstanding sales growth
Impressive turnaround situation
Unique financing completed with a bank or outside investor group
Company has reached an annual sales level greater than $2 million
Founded within the last 12 years, or has had a significant change in ownership within last five years
Major restructuring of the Company’s marketing and/or operations
John S. Jemison, Jr. is still remembered as one of the city’s most outstanding businessmen and leaders. Born in Birmingham in 1908, he graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1931 and began his career as a loan officer with today’s Chase Manhattan of New York. He later moved to Goldman, Sachs & Co., New York, one of the largest underwriters of industrial securities in the U.S.
In 1947, Mr. Jemison returned to Birmingham—where he was a resident partner at Marx & Co., investment bankers, of Birmingham and New York City. In 1955, Mr. Jemison left Marx & Co. to form Jemison Investment Co., Inc. From that point until his death in 1988, he truly earned the title of “deal maker.”Under Mr. Jemison’s leadership, Jemison Investment became a highly diversified holding company—with interests in lumber products, building materials, steel containers, slurry & dredge pump manufacturing, magazine publishing and real estate.
Mr. Jemison helped countless young entrepreneurs start or buy businesses. His reputation for openness and integrity in all his business dealings inspired absolute trust among those who turned to him for advice and investment expertise. His motto was “work hard, and have fun doing it!” Those fortunate enough to have known Mr. Jemison will tell you he lived his own motto every day.
Mr. Jemison contributed so much to the Birmingham business community—through the growth of businesses, the development of careers, and the creation of jobs and wealth for so many. His contributions to the community are still felt today. The Alabama Venture Club is honored to offer its annual award in his name. John Jemison’s reputation as “deal maker” was firmly established long before the term “venture capital” came into vogue. He was truly Birmingham’s first venture capitalist.
