Zuma creates companies from ideation to eventual launch as an independent entity. Internally we look, act and function like a technology company although we work on several projects/companies simultaneously with the ultimate goal of creating stand-alone companies.

Funded various technology companies across consumer/internet services, security/analytics, AI, finance, and e-commerce. Investments were generally early stage and have generated an aggregate $4b in exits.

WiZR is disrupting the video surveillance and analytics market utilizing industry-leading AI and IoT integration in a highly innovative and scalable platform. -Legacy System Compatible -WiZR is able to connect with legacy CCTV and IP camera systems without unique network configurations, reducing install times from weeks to minutes at minimal cost. -IoT Ready - Seamlessly connect sensors and other devices for advanced insights and response times. -Edge Hybrid / Full Cloud - WiZR’s unique edge hybrid architecture optimizes hardware and cloud resources for industry-leading AI and video storage adaptable to meet customer needs at sub-second detection times

I had the privilege of being a founding member of Amplify.LA, where we dedicated ourselves to nurturing and funding startups in their early stages. Additionally, we were passionate about developing the technology industry in Los Angeles, which was still in its infancy at the time.The portfolio companies benefited from access to our entire extended mentor network, free workspace at our Venice campus, and a variety of free or highly discounted services including hosting, legal, banking, and more. We were active, very hands-on, and dedicated to seeing our companies succeed.

S5 Wireless is a patented ultra low-cost, wide-area, location and telemetry technology for consumer, enterprise and government applications. The company successfully executed important milestones involved in developing the core technology, negotiated global strategic partnerships (Black and Decker, SK Telecom), and successfully raised over $20 million from influential investors.

Operated as a core member of the partnership responsible for identifying, validating, and pursuing opportunities for initial and follow-on funding. This included building and fostering relationships with prospective and current portfolio companies, management teams, other venture funds, limited partners, and stakeholders.

QuickTeam keeps the focus on team collaboration by offering web-based team sites and simple, online project and collaboration tools. These features, combined with a familiar Web-based portal design, immediately aid team productivity providing a secure web-based community forum for team members both within and across organizational boundaries by maximizing workflow efficiency without the need to define workflow processes. Thoughtstar's successes included an enterprise sale of their software to Cisco for global collaboration, and subsequent acquisition of the company by iManage (NASDAQ, IMAN) now Autonomy Corp (AUTN.L).

From a $5,000 co-signed loan, Vertical Technologies developed and launched BAR-ONE and Barcode Anything both of which became the market leaders for retail barcode software. The company was subsequently sold to Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ ZBRA), where Mr. Carter served as President of the newly created subsidiary. Under his continued strategic direction, sales tripled in less than six months.