Mergers & Acquisitions
Buy/sell advisory, valuation and transaction readiness that maximize close certainty.
About Us
Company builders, not portfolio managers
Founded in 2013 through a public-private partnership with the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Seahawk Innovation contributes time, talent, and treasure to create enduring enterprise value.
Partnership with UNCW
Born from a public-private alliance
In 2013, co-founders Tom Looney and Tobin Geatz approached the University of North Carolina Wilmington to create a public-private alliance aimed at enriching the university and the broader southeastern North Carolina economy.
By basing operations within UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), the firm integrated individual entrepreneurial efforts into an ecosystem that accelerates startups and regional deal flow.
Our Focus
One integrated discipline across the corporate life cycle
We blend M&A, capital funding and strategic consulting into a single, unified discipline that serves companies at every stage — from startup to exit.
Capital Funding
Equity and debt capital sourced from the right partners at every growth stage.
Strategic Consulting
Advisory led by former CEOs, serial entrepreneurs and subject matter specialists.
Leadership Overview
Seasoned operators and dealmakers
Tobin Geatz
Over 30 years of experience funding, operating and exiting 10 traded-sector startups, with millions distributed to founders and investors. Past roles include Special General Partner at Aurora Funds II ($75M tech venture fund), founder of Stellagen Capital, LP in two venture funds and active angel investor. Tobin is the architect of Seahawk’s proprietary portfolio company selection methodology.
Brendan Collins
Brendan oversees M&A operations. Together with Tobin, he brings over 40 years of combined M&A experience across transactions ranging from small-scale deals up to $3 billion, with active business development and investment banking networks across Europe and Asia.
Our Team
The people behind Seahawk Innovation
Biographies and personal philosophies of our executive leaders and core personnel.
Tobin Geatz
Co-Founder & General Partner
“The right actions for the right reasons generally result in the right outcomes over time.”
“Do well while doing good.”
- Founder & Board Chairman of PharmaTech Solutions (1999); CEO & Chairman of Inclinix, Inc., developer of Inclinix VMR™ technology.
- Special General Partner at Aurora Funds II ($75MM fund) and LP investor in two venture funds.
- Founded, funded, operated and exited companies including Applied Chemical Solutions, Supercritical Systems and Discrete Wireless.
- CEO of 5 private companies, Chairman of 6 corporate boards and board member of a publicly traded company.
- Holds 9 patents; Chemistry degree from West Virginia University (Class of 1981), earned on a football scholarship.
Tobin enjoys international travel with his wife and playing tennis.
Tom Looney
Founder Emeritus
“Win the Day!”
- High-tech sales and business development executive whose career began in 1982 during the early tech expansion.
- Executive leadership roles at Oracle Corporation, NeXT (Apple), Active Software (Software AG) and NextChannel Partners (Microsoft).
- Bachelor’s degree and MBA from Mount St. Mary’s University (Maryland) on a basketball scholarship; inducted into the Mount St. Mary’s Athletic Hall of Fame (1981 team).
- Primary focus at Seahawk: strategy development and external communications.
Diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) in 2008, Tom actively advocates for and assists patients and caregivers managing rare neurological diseases. He enjoys reading, playing the piano and daily exercise.
Brendan Collins, MBA
Partner
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
— Nelson Mandela
- Co-founder of WindRose Capital Ltd., a London-based advisory firm structuring African and South American energy and infrastructure investments for European institutional investors.
- Private equity and hedge fund investor with firms including DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, the flagship fund of Credit Suisse Private Equity.
- Independent advisor to Dutch bank Insinger de Beaufort on the sale and disposal of its UK business units.
- Honors degrees in Kinesiology (Sport Science) and Business from The University of Western Ontario, where he played varsity tennis; MBA from INSEAD (France and Singapore).
Brendan is married to Marsha, a Wilmington native, and is the father of three sons — James, Jasper and Andrew. He is an avid supporter and long-time season ticket holder of Fulham Football Club.
Tank Nickerson
Operations, Bookkeeping & Administration
“A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned”
— Benjamin Franklin
- Over 25 years of business operations experience.
- Extensive study in lean processes, waste elimination and private-equity-style business enhancements.
An Atlanta native, Tank relocated to Wilmington to enjoy a smaller-town coastal environment and saltwater fishing.
Internships
Seahawk / UNCW Internship Program
An experiential education partnership with the University of North Carolina Wilmington, operating out of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).
- Manage real business projects
- Lead operational divisions within Seahawk portfolio companies
- Participate directly in executive brainstorming and strategy sessions
The program is highly competitive; students apply, or re-apply, on a semester basis. Questions about the application can be sent to lauren@mimijumi.com.
Internship Application
Fields marked with an asterisk are required.