Brian Hamilton (businessman)

Brian Hamilton is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the co-founder of Sageworks, a fintech company that was acquired by Accel-KKR in 2018, and founder of the philanthropic organizations "Inmates to Entrepreneurs" and the "Brian Hamilton Foundation."[1][2] He also stars in the television series Free Enterprise on ABC stations, where he helps people who have been incarcerated start businesses.[3] In 2021, Hamilton invested in LiveSwitch (formerly Frozen Mountain), a Canadian video technology firm, and expanded its operations to North Carolina.[4][5]

Brian Hamilton
Alma materSacred Heart University (BA)
Duke University (MBA)
Known forCo-Founder, Sageworks
Websitebrianhamilton.org

Early life and education

Hamilton grew up in Milford, Connecticut.[6] He attended Fairfield College Preparatory School. Brian was the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor's degree from Sacred Heart University.[7] Later he earned an MBA from Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.[6]

Career

Hamilton ran his own consulting business in Durham, North Carolina from 1990 to 1996.[6] He offered consulting to people trying to start businesses. He also gave lectures and taught college courses. During a small business course, Hamilton mentioned the idea of software that would make reading financial statements easier for executives.[8] One of the students, Sarah Tourville, liked the idea. They would go on to form the company Sageworks in 1998.[6]

Sageworks was one of the first fintech companies.[9] It grew into a firm of approximately 400 employees and was acquired by Accel-KKR in 2018. Hamilton sold his stake in the company as part of the acquisition.[10]

In 2021, Hamilton invested in LiveSwitch (formerly Frozen Mountain), a video technology company that provides streaming, video conferencing and interactive broadcasting solutions.[4] With Hamilton’s investment, LiveSwitch has expanded its operations and add jobs in North Carolina.[4]

Charitable work

Hamilton was a lecturer at prisons, being under contract with the SBA to help with a minority set-aside program.[6] One of his clients, Rev. Robert Harris, asked him to be part of a prison ministry where Hamilton would discuss entrepreneurship.[6] This led to Hamilton founding "Inmates to Entrepreneurs", a program that offers training and mentoring for aspiring entrepreneurs who have criminal records. Graduates often go on to start their own businesses.[11][12]

In addition, he founded the Brian Hamilton Foundation, an organization that provides advice for young people and others who want to become entrepreneurs.[13] He has provided commentary as an expert for The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC and Fox Business Network,[6] and also sat on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University.[14]

In 2021, Hamilton became the star of the television series "Free Enterprise," which airs on ABC stations as part of the Hearst Media Production Group weekend programming block. The show features the stories of formerly incarcerated people with dreams of starting their own businesses.[15] On the show, people with criminal records work with Hamilton and a team of mentors to start companies with little to no money.[16] The show won two 2021 Telly Awards in the television categories of “social impact” and “social responsibility.”[17][18]

References
  1. Babakhan, Jen. "I Left a Six-Figure Job to Work with Prisoners". Reader's Digest.
  2. Joyner, April (April 2010). "CEO Passions". Inc.com (print only).
  3. "'Free Enterprise' hosts helping former inmates start own businesses". USA Today. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  4. "Raleigh entrepreneur Brian Hamilton acquires video tech firm, to add jobs in NC". WRAL TechWire. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  5. "Raleigh entrepreneur plans a Zoom competitor after acquiring Canadian videotech firm and raising $15M". WRAL TechWire. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  6. "Out on your own". North Carolina Business. 20 March 2012.
  7. "Community Postings: SHU dedicates two buildings, Donate blood..." Fairfield Citizen. 24 November 2017.
  8. "2017 Innovation Awards – Spark Award winner: Brian Hamilton". Triangle Business Journal. 6 October 2017.
  9. Ryan, Vincent (22 May 2018). "Sageworks Sold to Accel-KKR". CFO.
  10. Ohnesorge, Lauren K. (17 May 2018). "20-year-old Raleigh fintech firm acquired". Triangle Business Journal.
  11. Larson, Eric (24 April 1992). "Workshop teaches prison inmates how to start a business". The Duke Chronicle.
  12. "CEO leads prison class on how to start a business". The Rock Island Argus. 14 February 2010.
  13. Mullen, Rodger (20 November 2018). "Speaker encourages entrepreneurship as path to success". Fayetteville Observer.
  14. "SHU Welcomes Alumnus Back to Board of Trustees". Sacred Heart University. 30 May 2017.
  15. "Local coffee entrepreneur to be featured on TV show". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  16. "Alumnus Helps the Formerly Incarcerated Start Businesses in New ABC Series". Sacred Heart University. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  17. "2021 Winners". The Telly Awards. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  18. "2021 Winners". The Telly Awards. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
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