Applied Real Intelligence (“A.R.I.”), an emerging venture debt investment manager, announces the expansion of its Advisory Board, adding industry leaders Randy Cohen, Dan Espinal, Edward Finn, Laura Hope, Johnita Walker Mizelle, Julianne Recine, Blair Smith, Jamil Soriano, and Ben Wiles. The initial members of A.R.I.’s Advisory Board were announced in October 2020 and included Cynthia Bai, Jonathan Easton, Susan Estes, Courtney Hall, Roy Lowrance, and Guy Pinkman.

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Applied Real Intelligence (

Applied Real Intelligence ("A.R.I.") Announces Industry Leading Advisory Board (Photo: Business Wire)

“The fifteen executives on A.R.I.’s Advisory Board are composed of a broad and diverse group of globally-renowned leaders who will serve as a best-in-class example for the industry going forward. A.R.I. has prioritized leadership, integrity, diversity, risk-intelligence, and specific business expertise that will help us to reduce risk and rapidly grow our venture debt investment platform,” said Zack Ellison, A.R.I.’s Managing General Partner and Chief Investment Officer.

“As the former manager of New York Common Retirement Fund’s $5.2 billion Emerging Manager Program, and the current head of a consulting firm focused on advising leading asset managers and investors, I look forward to helping A.R.I. successfully navigate the emerging manager landscape with its flagship Venture Debt Opportunities Fund,” said Blair Smith, Founder and CEO, Promethean AB Strategies.

“I am honored to join A.R.I.’s Advisory Board to help Zack Ellison build a firm where true alignment of interests, diversity, and inclusion are integral parts of its corporate DNA,” said Johnita Walker Mizelle, Head of Investor Relations for Anthemis and Chair of the Board of Directors for The Council of Urban Professionals.

"As a former VC and current founder, I’ve experienced first-hand the gaps in the debt financing market for innovative high-growth companies. I'm excited to help A.R.I. fund companies, and support founders, that don't fit the traditional bank underwriting model," said Dan Espinal, Co-Founder and CEO, Rarebreed Veterinary Partners.

About Applied Real Intelligence LLC (“A.R.I.”)

A.R.I. is a venture debt investment manager focused on providing financing solutions to innovative, high-growth, VC-backed companies operating in recession-resistant sectors and underserved regions throughout North America. To learn more please visit https://www.arivc.com/.