Current Investments

EnviroScent, Inc. designs, manufactures and sells Scent Sticks, a patent protected aircare product that is ideal for consumers to use in their homes, cars and work environments. Scent sticks are a novel and cost effective way of infusing fragrance into the air at a consistent scent level without requiring electricity (plug-ins), flame (candles) or a fragrance “well” (reed diffusers). The Company also offers Scentsicles, a holiday product that provides the authentic aroma of fresh-cut Christmas trees for artificial trees or real trees that quickly lose their pine scent. The Company’s products are currently available nationwide.

InStadium was founded on the belief that when brands reach out to consumers during arena events there is a unique opportunity to create deep bonds. The Company enables clients to put their brands "on-stage" in sports and entertainment venues across America. InStadium gives these brands an opportunity to combine the clear messaging of display media with crowd-involving promotions. This allows brands to connect with their customers in a positive, emotional and memorable way.

Grand Brands Inc. produces and markets all natural, granular “crystallized” citrus products including True Lemon, True Lime and True Orange. The products provide the fresh squeezed taste of lemon, lime or orange - anywhere, anytime - in a convenient portable packet similar to a sugar or “Equal” packet. This authentic flavor is achieved using a patent pending process that “encapsules” cold pressed fruit oils. The product is available nationwide in most supermarkets and has a loyal customer base that uses the products to flavor tap and bottled water, as well as both hot and iced tea.

ScentAir Technologies is a global leader of scent marketing solutions. The Company’s patented delivery systems use dry-air technology to release scents and disseminate them evenly. Their customizable duration and intensity settings make it easy to tailor a scent output to any environment. ScentAir’s systems are used to help enhance environments, communicate brands and create memorable experiences for retailers, entertainment venues, hotels and healthcare.

Convergence is an end to end solutions provider of product re-set management and merchandising services in retail stores for retailers and consumer packaged goods manufacturers including display management and planning, warehousing, product fulfillment, installation, and repair and support.

Perimeter Marketing Co. produces coupons that are printed and affixed to price labels at deli, meat, seafood, bakery, floral and specialty counters at grocers and other retail outlets. The Company sells the space on the labels for coupons or promotional messages to consumer package goods manufacturers (CPG) and other advertisers. Perimeter Marketing Co was sold to Valassis Communications, Inc. in 2008.

JTL Enterprises designs, manufactures and sells a line of patented “dry” hydrotherapy systems. These “bed” systems provide a powerful, warm full body massage that combines the healing benefits of water, heat and massage while allowing the user to remain clothed and comfortably dry throughout their treatment. The products are sold into medical markets including chiropractors, physical therapists, osteopathic and wellness practitioners as well as commercial leisure markets including tanning salons, spas, massage therapists and health clubs.

Previous Investments

Productivity Solutions, Inc. was the innovator and leader in automated self-checkout solutions for retailers. Prior to Alerion Partners, the Partners led the re-capitalization and re-start of the company in 2000. The company added top tier retail customers, grew revenue over 6 times in less than four years, and was sold to IBM in 2003.

Lamaze Publishing was a for-profit company that licensed the “Lamaze” name to create a series of baby and parenting media vehicles. After an investment by one of Alerion’s Partners, the company launched multiple magazines and a sampling and coupon business. The company was merged with the Newborn Channel and sold to iVillage in 1999.

Newborn Channel provided parenting information to new mothers. The company was initially financed with $17 million in venture capital. After a recapitalization investment by one of Alerion’s partners, the company was repositioned from an in-home cable channel to a satellite fed cable network aired directly to new mothers exclusively in hospital rooms. The company was merged with Lamaze Publishing and sold to iVillage in 1999.

Etoys was a pioneer Internet retailer, creating the first online retail toy store. One of Alerion’s partners was an initial investor in Etoys.

Bruce Failing was the founder and CEO of ActMedia. The company was the first in-store advertising and promotions company in the US and provided full color ads mounted on grocery store shopping carts. The company went public and was later sold to Heritage Media for $180 million. The company was later sold to NewsAmerica Marketing.
 

Tone Brothers was a 100 year old spice company with a strong brand name that was losing significant market share. After an investment by one of Alerion’s partners, the company was repositioned to distribute a wide range of private label products in the growing warehouse club and food service markets while leaving the traditional grocery markets to larger competitors. The company increased its value sevenfold in three years and was sold to Rykoff-Sexton.