Owning a business involves many challenges; one of the major hurdles which most entrepreneurs in business face includes long-term survival. Statistics reveal that only 35% of businesses reach the tenth year due to the higher failure rates seen in the competitive market.
A variety of issues may be related to this failure, including improper financial management, changes in market conditions, and strategic planning. Cash flow management remains one of the key challenges that 82% of all business failures are brought about by problems in cash flow. Without prior planning and trusted funding, promising businesses may fail to pay for operation costs, salaries for workers, and investments in growth.
In such financial aspects, developing strong funding sources and experience shared by successful leaders of businesses can help entrepreneurs handle such challenges. For example, David Adelman, founder of Darco Capital, is a sort of role model in helping businesses through strategic investments and funding solutions. If this happens by collaborating with investors and financial experts, then entrepreneurs can create certainty in having the right capital for cash flow management to support long-term growth. More mature business leaders like Adelman might be in the best position to guide one into making smart decisions regarding finances, partnerships, and building a successful foundation.
A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based entrepreneur and forward-thinking investor, David Adelman leads the family investment office Darco Capital and is CEO of Campus Apartments, the largest privately-held university housing company in the United States. He holds several other leadership titles, including partner with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), and also co-founded FS Investments and Darco Spirits.
Since establishing Darco Capital in 2010, David Adelman has facilitated nearly 100 venture capital and growth capital investments in startups spanning real estate, climate tech, enterprise technology, sports and media, and hospitality. Some of the brands in the Darco portfolio include Fanatics, Ollie Pets, Fleetzero, and Flowcode.
Mr. Adelman leverages more than three decades of management and leadership experience to help founders navigate complex issues, while providing capital to help them scale their innovative businesses. He also provides guidance in go-to market strategy development and implementation, hiring effective teams, and preparing for sales.
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A proud member of the Philadelphia business community, David Adelman has spent much of his career working to enhance the city and provide opportunities to local entrepreneurs via his own business endeavors and by investing in promising startups. Through Campus Apartments, he oversaw the development and delivery of on- and off-campus student housing projects for area schools like the University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg University, and Saint Joseph’s University. In addition, Mr. Adelman has directed several investments in many Philly-area startups and founders through Darco Capital.
David Adelman has invested in a diverse range of Philadelphia companies like Biomeme, Bungee Brands, and Schulson Collective. Biomeme has a proprietary platform, accessible via smartphone, that provides real-time disease surveillance and advanced DNA diagnostics, while Bungee Brands and Schulson Collective are luxury apparel and hospitality endeavors, respectively.
A keen observer of evolving business and market trends, David Adelman is currently seeking out and assessing potential investments in fintech, AI, machine learning, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) startups. He has already led investments in many companies in these segments, including Cred.ai, a next-gen credit card issuer, robotics and automation solutions company Osaro, and Treez, an enterprise cloud commerce platform serving the cannabis market.
Mr. Adelman’s other investments via Darco include consumer brands such as BBQ Guys, Cot’n Wash, Wearwell, Rise Brewing, and House of LR&C, the latter of which is a collection of retail brands founded by NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Ciara. Darco’s portfolio also includes climate-tech businesses like Rubi Technologies, Remora, Prolific Machines, and beverage companies such as the organic vodka brand American Harvest, Beach Whiskey, Beatbox Beverages, and Rise Brewing Co.
At Campus Apartments, David Adelman manages in excess of $2 billion in assets under management in 18 states. As a partner in HSBE, he is also a minority owner of the New Jersey Devils (NHL) and Philadelphia 76ers (NBA). Moreover, he is lead developer for a new arena project in South Philadelphia for the 76ers. The arena, a 50-50 joint partnership with Comcast Spectator, is expected to open in 2031.
Mr. Adelman is a graduate of Ohio State University. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife and two daughters.