CHARLOTTE, NC – December 03, 2025 — Black Pearl Global Investments, a global, healthcare-focused venture capital firm, is partnering with the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Davidson College to provide mentoring, internships, and programming, including helping judge student pitch competitions with venture capital prizes. Charlotte-based Black Pearl will also build a pipeline for both student and alumni startups, helping them turn ideas into businesses.
The collaboration is rare for an undergraduate, liberal arts college and underscores the drive for innovation at Davidson College, which has helped catalyze the launch of hundreds of student and community startups since the opening of the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2018. Together, the two institutions aim to equip students and alumni with the mentorship, capital, and connections to turn their ideas into scalable businesses.
Black Pearl Global Investments will also establish an independent alumni advisory committee dedicated to guiding, funding, and mentoring early-stage startups, which will significantly bolster Davidson’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Amartey Nuno-Amarteifio ‘05, an Executive at Black Pearl Global Investments, said:
“For decades, leading universities have leveraged their alumni networks and venture capital connections to launch iconic companies. In collaboration with Davidson College and the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Black Pearl is creating another structured pathway for students and alumni to explore funding and mentorship for their ventures. What sets Black Pearl apart is our focus on impact—we measure success not only by financial returns but by the positive outcomes our companies create. Davidson College’s values-driven mission makes this a natural and powerful collaboration.”
Key Elements of the Collaboration
- Referrals and Mentorship
The Hurt Hub will refer promising student and alumni ventures to Black Pearl’s advisory team that align with the committee’s goals. This can give them access to essential guidance, mentorship, and capital. Representatives of Black Pearl will also serve as mentors, judges, and participants in educational programming, including pitch competitions at the Hurt Hub as part of this collaboration.
Liz S. Brigham ‘04, W. Spencer Mitchem ‘59 Executive Director of the Hurt Hub at Davidson College, explained:
“Over the past several years, the Hurt Hub has had an incredible track record of preparing and supporting student entrepreneurs through educational programming, mentorship, access to capital, and other resources to fuel their growth. In a very short time, our students have gone on to found some of the leading startups in Charlotte and beyond. Black Pearl Global Investments has a long-standing reputation for driving impact across its portfolio companies. By combining our expertise and resources, we can refer early-stage Davidson ventures to Black Pearl for funding and support, which will ultimately benefit our students, alumni, and the broader Davidson community.”
- Internship and Full-Time Opportunities
Black Pearl will collaborate with the Hurt Hub to offer internship and full-time employment opportunities to Davidson College students. Over the past several years, Black Pearl has hired Davidson students in internship positions within the firm and, most recently, extended a permanent position. Students and recent graduates who have interned with Black Pearl have gone on to work with companies such as Bank of America Securities, Wells Fargo Advisors, and UBS. This collaboration will provide additional opportunities for students interested in careers in venture capital, investment banking, and building high-growth companies.
Black Pearl Advisory Committee
Black Pearl Global Investments will establish a new Advisory Committee, primarily composed of 6–9 Davidson alumni from various sectors, including healthcare, finance, education, law, energy, and public policy.
Dr. John Cowan ‘97, Neurosurgeon and Healthcare Entrepreneur, deeply discussed:
“Our mission is to empower Davidson students and alumni to transform bold ideas into ventures that change lives. Rooted in the Davidson Honor Code, we believe that integrity and impact go hand in hand. By funding and supporting the next generation of Wildcat founders, we are not just building businesses; we are cultivating a community of principled leaders whose work will extend far beyond the campus.”
Committee members include:
- John Cowan ‘97 – 17 years of experience as a Neurosurgeon and Healthcare Entrepreneur (Chair), Past-President of the Georgia Neurosurgical Society, CEO and founder of Cortex Holdings.
- Olivia Ware ‘78 – Biotech Executive and Independent Board Director (Genentech, Principia/Sanofi, Arcellx, Continuem)
- Regina Marranzini ’98 – Geriatrician Physician Executive (AGS Fellow) with proven leadership within private equity value-based care organizations and hospital systems, guiding strategy and cost-saving initiatives that deliver financial turnarounds and sustainable growth
- Carl Smart – Co-Founder, Black Pearl Global Investments. 14 + years at Novant Health as Medical Director and Physician.
- Amartey Nuno-Amarteifio ‘05 – President, Black Pearl Global Investments, with over 15 years of experience in business development, sales, impact investing, and venture capital.
- Sallie Permar ‘97 – 15 years of experience as a physician-scientist, immunologist, inventor, and academic medicine leader as Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine and Duke University Medical Center.
- Alan Thomson ’97 – Tech Entrepreneur, Founder of Intervallum Technologies. Multiple years of experience as a professional wealth advisor at Mercer Advisors and Terra Firma Financial LLC.
- David Christopherson ’96 – Over 25 years as a corporate attorney, including current role as Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer of Floor & Decor.
- Virgil Fludd ‘80 – Former Georgia State Representative, 33 years as founder and CEO of the Carvir Group, Inc.
- Janet M. Stovall ‘85 — Equity & Inclusion Strategist and Founder of Pragmatic Diversity, will serve as Independent Advisor and Liaison between Black Pearl Global Investments and the Committee.
- Join the Movement
This collaboration unites alumni expertise and the principles of Davidson College’s Honor Code and Statement of Purpose, augmenting the opportunities provided through the Hurt Hub at Davidson College to transform brilliant ideas.
Black Pearl’s growing venture ecosystem invites students, alumni, and supporters of Davidson College to help shape its future.
To learn more about:
- Pitching your startup
- Mentoring founders
- Supporting the initiative
Contact: info@blackpearlglobalinvestments.com
