Lyons & Hannover, LLC, founded in 1993 was formed in response to the increased selectivity of the venture capital community regarding their investment decisions. Both limited availability of capital due to the ongoing international financial crisis, and a preference among VCs for mezzanine financing have precluded access to traditional capital markets for many promising enterprises. This has opened up a niche for Lyons and Hanover in the area of smaller cap venture propositions. While L and H reviews a number of “emerging companies”, it has focused on those who represent straightforward lines of business with grounded operations in need of bridge loans and funds for expansion. These companies are typically seeking a $2 million to $50 million in financing and represent a diversified and unique group of ‘products’:  mining equipment (manufacturers), manufacturers of garbage to energy equipment etc. certain mining operations focusing on small scale high value materials i.e. Manganese  oil and gas lease banks in northern tier states North Dakota, Montana . and  small mining company special situations fund. High end lending for very expensive art, jewelry, and other personal property The structures are typically located offshore and involve a unique funding mechanism that supports activities of the firm on an as needed basis rather than providing all the funding at once without appropriate controls. Initially, the equity will favor investors, but as benchmarks are met through successful execution of their business plan, operators will find themselves in the majority position and will be incented to do so. For such opportunities, Land H functions more as a private investment/merchant bank, and may take a minority position in the companies they bring forward.

Hanseatic Group, Inc., a Commodity Trading Advisor that developed proprietary analytical models for global clients engaged in trading currencies. Hanseatic was one of the first such companies to be endorsed by major securities firms including Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns and PaineWebber. In the mid-1980’s Hanseatic was one of the first inter-bank currency trading and advisory firms to provide 24-hour advisory services to major financial clients worldwide.

ProData Corporation in California, developed the first U.S. based automated legal accounting system for law firms and complicated litigation management suppport systems.