Laurus Partners, LLC

Mission Statement | Staff | Advisors

Mission Statement:
At Laurus Partners, our mission is to add quantifiable impact and value to our clients' businesses as a direct result of our vast global experience in entrepreneurial technology business, business planning and development, private fundraising and public grants; and through extensive high-level relationships within Fortune 1000 companies as well as local, state, federal and international government agencies.

Brian Devening
Founder & Managing Director

1995 - Co-Founder/President U.S Naturals Products
1999 - Austin Technology Incubator Company Selection Committee
2001 - Co-Founder Reflect Systems Inc. Enterprise Software and Digital Signage (Active)
2005 - Interim - President Illuminex Corporation Nanowire Device Technology Development
2005 - Partner OHM Matching Ambition B.V. (Acquired by Maxwell Rand AG 03/06/07)
2007 - Founder & Managing Director, Laurus Partners, LLC

Brian Devening has over twelve years of entrepreneurial experience leading startups; including raising over $80 million in equity funding, writing successful commercialization plans for SBIR Government grants totaling over $800K for high tech R & D, selecting companies while working at the Austin Technology Incubator which were quickly acquired or are still in business and growing.

Brian has also been instrumental in acquiring many large multinational customers as well as assembling many key partnerships: large channel partners, technology partners, manufacturing partners, and financial partners. Throughout these roles, Brian has developed an extensive network of corporate relationships throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia at major technology companies in the areas of hardware, software, nanotechnology, and U.S. State and Federal Government Agencies.

Brian has an Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he also played Division I NCAA Tennis. He also has an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin specializing in Finance and Entrepreneurship. After graduating from SMU in 1989, Brian played the Professional ATP Tennis Tour for 5 years where he played singles and doubles in all four grand slams and many of the top tournaments in more than 30 countries.

• Member Arlington Chamber of Commerce
• Member Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Sits on Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce:
  • Technology Business Council                               
  • Capital Connections Committee
  • Sustainable Technologies Committee

Sha-Chelle Devlin Manning
Advisor

Sha-Chelle Devlin Manning drives business development activities for Authentix, a leading nanotechnology company in Texas, and has also served as a consultant for the Office of the Governor Rick Perry, where she lead the development of the Texas nanotechnology strategic plan, including a $30 Million fund to attract top talent researchers in nanotechnology, as well as aspects of the Emerging Technology Fund.

Between her work with federal agencies, congressional alliances, and Texas’ $200 Million Emerging Technology Fund, Manning has assisted in securing an additional $100+ Million in nanotechnology research and commercialization investments for Texas.

Previously Manning was Director of Alliances at Zyvex Corporation, a leading nanotechnology company where she secured and lead several key R&D industry and government programs (DARPA, NIST, NASA, and DoE) including efforts in nanomaterials, micro, and nanoassembly. Manning also lead government efforts including congressional briefings, nanotechnology policy efforts including support for PCAST, the Nanotechnology Bill, and the State of Texas ETF.

Prior to joining Zyvex Corporation, Manning served as a Vice President for Winstar Communications, where she spearheaded the introduction of new innovative wireless and internet technologies through partnerships comprised of industry, education institutions, and government. Two of her projects were launched at the White House, and a third by senate members. Among her achievements at Winstar was the creation of an interactive replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall (a site that commemorates the ultimate sacrifices 58,220 men and women made for the United States). Prior to Winstar, Manning served in leadership positions at Dallas Public Schools, where she introduced and launched new technologies for over 17,000 teachers and 120,000 students.

Manning lived in Japan for two years where she served in various educational and government goodwill functions. She holds a B.A. from Loras College, a MBA from the University of Dallas, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in political economy at the University of Texas at Dallas.