Small Biz

Francesco DeParis, 24; Kyle Redinger, 24

DeParis Redinger
Charlottesville, Va.

DeParis Redinger is a boutique investment bank that specializes in mergers-and-acquisitions advisory for small tech firms. Its founders, Kyle Redinger and Francesco DeParis, both did stints at Microsoft (MSFT) in its finance rotation program. They decided they could use their understanding of digital media to create a successful business advising startups that were at a disadvantage when negotiating with behemoths like their former employer.

Redinger says the three-employee firm, which opened for business in December, 2006, does $10 million to $20 million deals that traditional Wall Street firms wouldn't normally touch. He explains that their firm's partnership with Cribb, Greene & Associates, the oldest media M&A advisory firm in the U.S., also helps establish their legitimacy and create relationships. Redinger estimates the business could bring in half a million in revenues next year. He says the firm benefits from its location outside New York and is also hoping to start a fund that invests small amounts in startups similar to Paul Graham's Y Combinator model.