The Future of Data Creation Uncorrupted — Unbiased — Human Verified

ACKWEST GROUP specializes in the acquisition, management, and expansion of technology-driven companies in the consumer insights and marketing services sector. Our purpose is to help clients efficiently transform data into actionable business intelligence, enabling quicker and more informed business decisions.

Working closely with our management teams, ACKWEST offers comprehensive support in strategy, operations, product development, and transactional processes to enhance the revenue and profitability of its portfolio companies.

OUR APPROACH

Information Advantage

Executives at ACKWEST have unmatched industry experience and a track record of building and operating successful companies. We possess specialized expertise in deal execution, enabling us to evaluate and act on new opportunities rapidly.
Innovation & Collaboration

Combining decades of experience, our portfolio companies collaborate, share insights, and leverage technical strengths to reimagine business processes while capitalizing on opportunities arising from market and technology disruptions.
World Class Resources

Working alongside our portfolio management teams, we utilize our strategic industry experience along with operations, product development, access to capital, and transactional expertise to enhance revenue and profitability.

CORE VALUES

PASSION

Our passion fuels energy from within to be determined and committed to pursuing greatness.
REINVENTION

We persistently challenge and rethink the status quo leading to new, more simplistic business models.
EXCELLENCE

Through meticulous attention to detail, we consistently create exceptional experiences.
PROMISE

We deliver on our promises, building strong relationships and earning trust through consistent action.

Investment Profile

Target Investment

Mature or evolving businesses
Solid and proven leadership team
High growth potential
Disruptive use of technology
Operational synergies with ACKWEST companies

Target Verticals

First-party data creation providers
Marketing data services
Consumer insights data collection technology
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
Business analytics

Our Companies

Aligned in vision, our companies are redefining how data is created and shared – pushing boundaries and setting new standards in the industry.

TestSet delivers reliable human-verified first-party data, helping marketing research and insights agencies make informed decisions.

Reach Collective is a collaborative user-centric ecosystem that creates and distributes high-quality first-party data.

Meet the Team

ACKWEST was built and is run by top industry executives developing the future of data creation

Not every business idea needs to be new. Reimagining business models to leverage technology and data can create great companies.

HUGH DAVIS

CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNEr

Accomplished lifelong entrepreneur and investor, driven by curiosity and a passion for leveraging technology to turn ideas into businesses that simplify the complex.
Customers want to work with people who are happy and love their job. Creating a positive work environment and a culture where everyone is valued is the first step in building an amazing company.

KEITH PRICE

CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

Proven executive and entrepreneur, driven by a passion for developing high-performing teams, delighting customers, and creating motivating business cultures.
Consistency within and outside of the organization is essential in forming the essence of your brand experience. Cultivating and empowering effective leadership ensures that a brand promise becomes its reality.

BRENDA MCFARLAND

MANAGING PARTNER

Accomplished executive, marketer and leadership coach, driven by a passion to create distinctive brand experiences that excite and engage employees and customers.
The rubber meets the road when a customer or colleague has to accomplish their goal. Building a culture where teams create cutting edge solutions that make accomplishment easy and delightful is the heart of building value.

Chris Modzelewski

MANAGING PARTNER

Proven technology entrepreneur and leader, driven by a passion for using new technologies in practical ways to deliver elegant solutions that make customers’ lives easier.
Developing high performing employees lies in leadership from the top, leaders that empower employees to make decisions that positively impact the client and supplier experience, leading to explosive growth.

Jim Targowski

Chief Financial Officer

Proven finance leader with a passion for leveraging technology to produce scalable systems that deliver dependable financial metrics and reporting.
To cultivate customer loyalty is not only to provide high quality service, but to curate personable experiences by a team of experts who love what they do and strive to make their customers feel seen and valued.

Carol Malak

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Marketing leader with a passion for crafting unforgettable user experiences and optimizing strategic customer journey touchpoints to elevate brand visibility.
Creating memorable user experiences involves listening to the customer and translating needs into elegant experiences by blending design and technology to create simple yet powerful outcomes.

Sidharth Shankar

Digital Solutions

A creative leader with a profound passion for merging modern design, cutting-edge technology, and user-centric feedback into captivating digital experiences.
As the data and insights industries converge, those willing to innovate and lead the transformation will be rewarded with incredible opportunities to create value.

Joel Mesznik

Board Member

Accomplished investor with over 30 years of experience in advisory and investment banking with unparalleled history investing in iconic insights companies.

Operating Partners

At the heart of every successful venture lies the ability to innovate, connect with diverse markets, and build teams that transform challenges into opportunities.

Matt Hynes

President
ReachCollective

Accomplished business executive driven by a passion for innovating new and unique products to engage consumers, resulting in world-class consumer experiences.
The extent to which we feel valued as employees is directly correlated with how our customers experience the work we do and the financial success that we achieve.

Colin Turner-Kerr

Managing Director
TestSet Europe

Proven business leader passionate about creating modern work environments where teams are empowered and motivated to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Enabling team members to shape the customer journey cultivates a culture of creativity and ownership. Pairing this with a shared vision and strong bias for action will ignite dynamic growth and ongoing transformation.

Michael Sanfelippo

President
TestSet North America

Strategic leader and sales executive with a passion for building winning teams, scaling businesses, and delivering tech-driven solutions for client success.