W&H Ventures partners with rockstar entrepreneurs to fuel their businesses with our unique position in the entertainment space. In addition to providing capital, we work with authentic influencers and forge strategic partnerships that immediately shape the trajectory of the deals we make.
Bruce Kalmick
Chairman
Bruce Kalmick is an entrepreneur and leader in the music industry, and the CEO and founder of WHY&HOW, a company that represents 15 artist clients and has team members based in major cities across the United States. Since then, Bruce has been involved in various investments, and he has invested, led rounds, and sat on boards for companies such as RBI BASEBALL, The Recording Academy, Mizzen and Main, CANTEEN, Treaty Oak, Waterloo #9, Aba Austin, Nevr-Nevr Nashville, and Julius Son Gin. His experience in investing and advising companies across various sectors has given him a unique perspective that he applies to his work in the music industry. His ability to identify opportunities and leverage his network has contributed to his success as an entrepreneur and leader..
Bryan Bulte
President
Bryan Bulte is a respected investor with a diverse portfolio of over 49 companies spanning various industries, with a strong focus on technology, socially responsible brands, and consumer packaged goods. In 2017, he founded LivWell Ventures, a $60M family-backed venture firm in Austin, Texas, that specializes in better-for-human consumer brands. As the founder, Bryan played a key role in overseeing founder relations, deal flow, and syndication. Bryan is a highly engaged member of the startup community, serving on the boards of Naturally Austin, DynamoTexas.com, and BeSpoken Spirits. Additionally, he is a venture partner at NextGen VP and an active limited partner in various venture capital funds, including Brand Foundry, Distributed Global, Vestigo Ventures, and Funders Club. .
Cutter Dykstra
Vice President
After retiring from a pro baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals, Cutter was employee number one at Therabody, which later grew to over 500 employees globally; At the same time, at Therabody, he wore many hats while serving as Chief Business Development Officer and SVP of Global Sports Marketing for over six years. While at Therabody, he raised equity from more than 100 notable figures in sports, business, culture, and entertainment. He struck over 60 long-term global partnerships with athletes, teams, and influencers such as Cristiano Ronaldo, James Harden, Karlie Kloss, Manchester United, Oracle Red Bull Racing, etc. Cutter is an active investor with a strong vision for strategic partnerships. He spends time with his wife and two boys in Austin, TX, where he relocated to in 2021..
Eddie Kloesel
VP, Partnerships
With significant experience in Tour Management, Production Management, Monitor Engineering, Merchandise Management, Sponsorships, and Tour Accounting. Eddie has established partnerships with major companies such as Brown-Foreman, Molson Coors, as well as prominent brands like Miller Lite, Coors, Keystone Lite, Peterbilt Trucking, HUK/NOMAD Gear, Vox Amplification, Roland Electronic, Gibson Guitars, Fender Guitars, and Boat Trader. In December 2011, Eddie joined the team as an artist manager for Chase Rice and Whiskey Myers. Fast forward to 2020, Eddie joined Bruce at WHY&HOW, where he continues to apply his expertise and extensive network of partnerships to his clients, including Read Southall Band and The Duck Family. Eddie's wealth of experience and industry connections make him a valuable asset to the Music and Ventures Team at WHY&HOW..
Wane Lindsey
Director of Marketing
Wane Lindsey is a seasoned professional in the music industry, multidisciplinary creative, and Director of Marketing for WHY&HOW Ventures. With a background in graphic design, event production, and creative strategy, Wane is adept at building brands for both artists and businesses. Drawing upon his extensive knowledge of the music industry and close collaboration with artists, Wane facilitates venture deals that are mutually beneficial and establishes authentic relationships with brands..
Evan Kaufmann
VP, Creative
Evan Kaufmann is the Executive Creative Director at WHY&HOW. Throughout his career, Kaufmann has seamlessly blurred the line between the music and film industries, having directed content for major musicians, creative agencies, record labels and independent studios alike. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone, FastCompany, MTV, as well as top curated art/film blogs such as Short Of The Week, BoooooomTV, and FilmShortage. Evan’s unique insight and knowledge of both industries have made him a key commodity in curating and developing memorable and impactful creative content for clients and partners alike..
Aba Restaurant
Ashcroft Capital
BESPOKEN SPIRITS
Botanic Tonics
BoldHue
BOXT
Canteen Spirits
Cantina Especial
Cattle Country Music Festival
Craftmix
DeSo
Feel Free
Fetch
Good Night John Boy
Fitjoy
Flux Protocol
Hazel Street Records
Henry The Dentist
Hustle Sports
High Desert Cactus Vodka
I Hate Cowboys (A Welcome to the Farm Bar)
KK Sports Cards
Lemon Perfect
Mizzen + Main
Never Never
Matador
Oil & Gas Records Co.
Oyster City Brewing Company
PROTÉGÉ
Polkadot
Pure Jerky Co
Rentberry
Solana
Tapville
Therabody
Teabird
Texas Ranchers
Treaty Oak Distilling
Upshot
Vital
Waterloo Gin
Wine Country Festival
Welcome To The Farm
Yerbae