DeMario Phipps-Smith

DeMario Phipps-Smith

Reporter

DeMario is a writer and journalist from Chicago. He is a former digital editor at the Chicago Sun-Times and has bylines in such publications as Blavity, Eat This Not That, and the National Football Foundation.

After creating a media startup in 2015, DeMario is passionate about entrepreneurship and business. Currently, he is a graduate student at Northwestern studying media innovation.

SaaS

A self-taught developer used a low-code tool to build this text messaging app

A smiling main in a plaid button up shirt stands in front of a white wall and open window
Content

Content site on backyard recreation sells for about 3.3x annual revenue

E-commerce

They developed beard-grooming products for men of color, then sold to an e-commerce company for global distribution

Platform

Podcasters wanted to sell subscriptions, so she built a platform to help them monetize

A woman smiles at the camera
Content

This company solved a common challenge — choosing a business name — and sold for 8 figures

SaaS

With $330,000 ARR and 10,000 paid subscribers, fashion app Cladwell is acquired

Cladwell team in 2013, with a baby
Content

Testing.org, which helps exam takers prep for LSAT, CPA and Bar, sold to strategic buyer

Mike Gardon, founder of Testing.org
Services

A marketing company used software to service publishers, then sold to its tech partner