Founder & Managing Partner: Miguel Sugay
Miguel Sugay is a Stanford graduate and serial entrepreneur who has founded and funded over a dozen start-ups to date. He is the Founding Managing Partner of The WHY Group, an LA-based international social impact start-up studio focused on launching mission-aligned businesses.
Within this studio Miguel has founded multiple companies including Triple Seven Labs, a beverage company launching in the Philippines to fight climate change there (#1 country at most risk according to the World Risk Index) and around the world. He is also co-founder of OG Louie the XIII, a luxury cannabis brand that touts Snoop Dogg, the late Jimmy Buffett, and many other connoisseurs as its long-time clients. Lastly, he is also the President of NFI / Veterans Pharmaceuticals, a disabled veteran-owned-pharmaceutical company that focuses on naturally-derived, plant-based medicines as an alternative solution to mental health and wellness issues.
Through all these ventures, Miguel has been instrumental in closing over $50 million dollars of seed and VC funding for a number of his start-ups. He is fortunate to have seen some of his past projects to successful exit, including a sale of his first start-up to Amazon in 2013. As a fervent entrepreneur in the trenches himself, he also enjoys giving back to the start-up community through his role as a mentor and entrepreneur-in-residence for Grid110, a DTLA early-stage incubator founded in partnership with Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti. Miguel's goal is to help entrepreneurs build businesses of the future that will help leave this world a little more sustainable, equitable, and brighter for all.
Finance & Strategy Advisor: Thomas Lumsden
Thomas Lumsden has participated in over 80 equity and equity-linked securities financings totaling more than $2 billion, with ~$1 billion as an investor and ~$1 billion as a success-based advisor. In 2009, he founded TL Capital Group, LLC (TLCG), a merchant bank that invests its own capital and advises select financial institutions. Since 2019, TLCG has focused on minority investments in privately held companies, while from 2009–2017, it specialized in power generation assets, successfully completing several utility-scale solar projects in the U.S. and Europe with construction costs totaling ~$300 million.
Before founding TLCG, Thomas was a Partner at Promethean Asset Management, LLC, where he helped manage several hedge funds. Promethean completed 72 privately negotiated investments exceeding $1.7 billion, with direct lending funds achieving 14.5% annual net returns and 120 consecutive months of positive returns. Thomas also established Promethean’s European operations and advisory relationships with major firms like Citadel Investment Group and Angelo Gordon & Co., which invested over $500 million in Promethean-led transactions.
Earlier in his career, Thomas was a Senior Vice President at Global Emerging Markets, N.A., and began his career in commercial real estate with CB Commercial in Southern California. A graduate of Boston College with a concentration in Finance and a 3-year varsity tennis athlete, Thomas earned the CFA designation in 2000.
Business & Investment Advisor: Michael Gruber
Michael Gruber has over 30 years of experience building and investing in high-growth companies, with a focus on technology, wellness, energy, and social impact. He is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Salveo Capital, a fund specializing in the legalized cannabis sector, and Co-Founder and Managing Director of JLS Fund, focused on psychedelics and behavioral health technology. Both funds were pioneers in their respective sectors, backing ~40 companies, including industry leaders like Curaleaf, Ascend Wellness, Dutchie, Canopy Growth, SC Labs, ATAI, and more.
Michael also serves as Chief Strategy Officer of Pura Industries, where he co-founded its New York operations, now one of the largest cultivators, processors, and distributors in the state. Before Salveo and JLS, he was a founding partner of Independence Equity, a venture fund focused on resource efficiency, and held leadership roles at Taproot Ventures and other private investment organizations, raising over $5.5 billion in capital for companies like Robinhood and Teladoc.
Earlier in his career, Michael held key operational roles in high-growth corporations, two of which went public. He also has significant investment banking and M&A experience. A frequent speaker on entrepreneurship and venture capital, Michael holds a BA in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School, and a certificate in Japanese from Nanzan University in Japan.
Finance + Accounting: John Daniel Martinez
John Daniel Martinez began his career at PwC, auditing major corporations such as General Atomics, Kyocera, UCSD, and Sony. This foundational experience equipped him with a deep understanding of financial systems, compliance, and auditing standards. Over the years, John transitioned into roles within both private and public sectors, honing his expertise in US GAAP and IFRS, and establishing himself as a trusted advisor across multiple industries, including manufacturing, construction, biotech, and medical diagnostics.
As a consultant, John has played a critical role in navigating complex financial landscapes, providing strategic insights and solutions to drive organizational success. Known for his adaptability, meticulous attention to detail, and strong work ethic, he approaches every project with a commitment to precision and client satisfaction. His ability to bridge technical expertise with practical business applications has made him an invaluable asset to organizations seeking to streamline financial operations, optimize performance, and achieve sustainable growth.
John’s extensive experience and unwavering dedication to excellence position him as a leader in financial consulting, capable of delivering impactful results and guiding businesses toward their goals.
Branding + Marketing: Thomas Nguyen
Thomas Nguyen is a disciplined and accomplished leader, drawing from his ongoing service in multiple branches of the military. This experience has instilled in him a profound sense of discipline, strategic thinking, and adaptability—qualities that have become the cornerstone of his professional success. With an innate ability to analyze market trends and develop innovative strategies, Thomas has been instrumental in bringing numerous companies to market, transforming them into recognized brands through his expertise in advertising, branding, and marketing.
His career is marked by a proven track record of scaling businesses from modest five-figure revenues to thriving enterprises generating seven figures. Thomas’ unique blend of military precision and entrepreneurial vision allows him to identify opportunities, craft compelling campaigns, and execute strategies that drive exponential growth. His commitment to excellence, coupled with his ability to deliver measurable results, continues to make him a sought-after marketing strategist and brand builder.
