Building the hill community
We actively engage in the communities that we serve. We welcome the opportunity to share insights on who we are and our work to increase access to capital for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Hill Capital hosts its annual Hill Summit, sponsors entrepreneurial events, and gives talks to civic organizations, business owner & peer advisory groups on topics around entrepreneurial finance, cash management, valuation, advisory boards and capitalization strategies. A keynote favorite appropriate for diverse audiences is “Emotion and Money”. This is a link to a highlight video.
Contact us if you would like us to speak at your upcoming event.
We are grateful to our Hill Capital Community Partners that help support our ecosystem!
Recent News
Mission Isn’t Enough | What Growth Stage Investors Look For
March 1, 2026
Justin Baker and Ian Williams talk with Patrick Donohue of Hill Capital about what growth-stage investors actually look for in small businesses. They unpack the real funding environment for growing companies, the skills gaps that often hold founders back, and how to distinguish between capital that accelerates your mission and capital that quietly undermines it.
You’ll hear why mission isn’t enough — and what it really takes to build a business investors believe in.
The Anti-VC VC: Nick Ehret Reveals How to Fund Founders The Right Way - No BS, No Predators, Just Real Wins!
January 21, 2026
Nick Ehret shares Hill Capital’s “anti-VC” approach to funding founders, challenging the traditional venture capital model that often prioritizes rapid growth over ownership and long-term value. He highlights how many entrepreneurs unintentionally give up too much equity and control, limiting their upside even in successful exits. Instead, Hill Capital focuses on structured, minimally dilutive capital designed for businesses with real traction, helping founders scale while maintaining control. The conversation reinforces that the right capital—aligned with profitability, discipline, and long-term vision—is essential to building durable, valuable companies.
The Truth About Building Wealth that No One Tells You About
November 1, 2025
This episode is a candid conversation about why many entrepreneurs struggle financially despite working hard. Patrick Donohue breaks down how poor decision-making, ego, and unrealistic expectations,rather than lack of effort, often hold founders back. He emphasizes the importance of discipline, self-awareness, and building wealth intentionally instead of chasing hype or shortcuts. The discussion also highlights lessons from failure, showing how long-term success comes from resilience, clear thinking, and aligning actions with reality rather than ambition alone.
The Truth About Private Equity: Building Empires the Right Way
November 28, 2025
In this deep-dive conversation, Patrick Donohue unpacks the misunderstood world of private equity, predatory FinTech lending, and the capital gap crushing America’s small businesses. Drawing on decades of experience, Patrick reveals why most entrepreneurs are unprepared for private equity solicitations, how valuation is often weaponized, and why the human element of entrepreneurship is vanishing in algorithmic finance. He also breaks down Hill Capital’s innovative “Hill Note,” a structure designed to protect business owners’ autonomy while providing growth capital without forcing an exit.
Patrick Donohue: Investing in Founders, Not Just Financials
August 19, 2025
This episode focuses on how entrepreneurs can build truly valuable businesses by prioritizing profitability, strong fundamentals, and disciplined decision-making over hype or rapid growth. Patrick Donohue emphasizes that many founders fail by chasing revenue without understanding cash flow, margins, and long-term sustainability. He highlights the importance of thinking like an investor, allocating capital wisely, managing risk, and building systems that create durable value. Overall, the conversation reinforces that lasting success comes from financial clarity, operational discipline, and a long-term mindset rather than shortcuts or vanity metrics.
The Faces: Entrepreneurs are people | Episode #38 - Patrick Donohue
March 28, 2025
Patrick and Cody Hall discuss how entrepreneurs can create real, lasting business value by focusing on fundamentals rather than hype or shortcuts. Patrick explains that many founders misunderstand value creation, overemphasizing growth or revenue while neglecting profitability, capital structure, and long-term positioning. He stresses the importance of thinking like an investor—being disciplined with capital, understanding risk, and making decisions based on future potential rather than past performance. Overall, the conversation reinforces that sustainable success comes from clarity, patience, and building a business that can endure, not just scale quickly.
Independence By Design: Cash vs Valuation
March 10, 2025
Patrick Donohue joined Ryan Tansom to discuss why entrepreneurs get trapped in the wrong financial metrics. Too often, entrepreneurs get caught up in valuations, projections, and financial jargon without focusing on the fundamental cash management trifecta:
How much cash do you have?
What do customers owe you?
What do you owe others?
Without strong free cash flow, everything else is just noise. It’s what creates options, financial freedom, and real control over your business journey.
Breakout Valuation and the Power of Vision-Driven Businesses
Feb 1, 2025
This episode explores Patrick Donohue’s journey into investing and how his early interest in pricing and value shaped his approach to building and evaluating businesses. He discusses why future potential - not past performance - is the primary driver of business value, and how Hill Capital positions itself between traditional bank financing and venture capital. The conversation also highlights the importance of strong advisory networks and peer communities in navigating entrepreneurial challenges. Overall, the episode emphasizes that thoughtful capital structure, clear vision, and the right relationships are key to unlocking long-term business growth.
VisionOne Unstoppable - Embracing Discomfort for Growth
October 9, 2024
In this episode of Unstoppable, we dive into the transformative power of embracing discomfort with entrepreneur, Patrick Donohue. Joined by VisionOne's Michelle Bonahoom, Tyler Bonahoom, and Lori Moen. Patrick shares his personal journey of mindset shifts, from overcoming self-doubt to completing his first marathon. Tune in to hear Patrick's insights on the importance of leaning into discomfort, building support systems, and continuously challenging oneself in both business and personal growth. Learn how these principles have shaped Patrick’s success and how they can inspire you to unlock your full potential
Profit Answer Man - Breakout Valuation
October 6, 2024
In this conversation, Rocky Lalvani and Patrick Donohue discuss the importance of profitability and cash management for entrepreneurs.
Business Mastery - What Investors Look For In A Business
September 9, 2024
In this engaging conversation, Patrick Donohue shares his insights into what investors seek in businesses. He discusses the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of passion over short-term profit
Entrepreneurs United - Vision to Valuation
August 30 2024
In this episode, Patrick Donohue discusses his book, 'Breakout Valuation,' emphasizing the importance of mindset, vision, and cash management. Patrick outlines his experiences and offers practical advice for entrepreneurs on achieving breakout valuation, balancing control, and leveraging effective community support.
Propelling Your Company's Value to New Heights - The Faces of Business
June 18, 2024
Listen to Patrick Donohue, Managing Partner & CEO, Hill Capital Corporation, as he shares strategies he sees implemented that are significantly increasing company values.
The Insight Interviews
March 28, 2024
Listen to guest Patrick Donouhue on The Insight Interviews. Each week with The Insight Interviews, we’ll unpack the experiences of unique business leaders, high-capacity sales professionals and standout thought leaders to explore what they have learned along their road to success in order to open the door to insights you can use to achieve your own.
Business Lending, Tax Credits & More with Patrick Donohue
March 10, 2024
Listen to Thomas Bennett, and guest Patrick Donouhue explore creative strategies and innovative approaches that have propelled small businesses to new heights. Discover the business lending, tax credits, and more here.
Authentic Business Adventures
February 7, 2024
Legacy Wealth Code
December 15, 2023
How to Scale a Business Properly
December 1, 2023
Listen to Patrick talk about how Hill Capital invests in local businesses and shows them how to level up, the right way.
Key Qualities a VC looks For
September 12, 2023
Listen to Patrick talk about the Key Qualities a VC looks for. In this episode, he talks about what he looks for in founders, what he looks for with companies, and how his firm structures its deals differently than traditional VC firms.
How to Build a Valuable Business
January 25, 2023
Patrick Donohue is an entrepreneur and valuation expert who got his start with a lemonade stand at age four and buying shares of Coca-Cola at age ten. As an investor, stock analyst, and advisor to numerous entrepreneurial ventures, he offers unique insights into the dynamics of money and business. Listen here.
The Secrets Behind Building Value-Based Businesses
January 10, 2023
The definition of value creation is giving something valuable to receive something else that’s more valuable to you. In today’s fast-paced economy, every business owner should strive to make their company as valuable as possible, and optimize wherever they can to provide value. Listen here.
How to Finance Your Future Today
December 20, 2022
On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Patrick Donohue, founder of Hill Capital Corporation, about his book, Breakout Valuation, and his key lessons for entrepreneurs. Listen here.
Increase Your Startup’s Valuation
December 2, 2022
Patrick Donohue is the author of the new book, "Breakout Valuation." It was published by Houndstooth Press on Sept. 20, 2022.
Patrick Donohue talks with Josh Becerra from Augarian about growth capital and capital formation.
Hill Capital was included within the Tech.MN Ultimate Guide to MN Venture Capital.
Patrick and Nick joined Ryan on the Intentional Growth Podcast to dive deeply into “the capital gap”, why companies hit a ceiling for growth, and how to find the right source of capital to grow the value of a business.
Ecosystem North shines a spotlight on the people and organizations that support our region’s entrepreneurs, uncovering the real story of what inspires and drives them to be entrepreneurial champions.
Patrick Donohue was a featured presenter for a webinar sponsored by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to help small businesses understand financing solutions to help navigate COVID-19.
Hill Capital Corporation sponsored the Business Town Hall in Fargo / Moorhead region
Leaders from Faribault Woolen Mill Co., Climate Makers and Hill Capital discuss the challenges and successes of middle market companies.
Workshop: Raising capital, Finding financing
A lot of alternatives exist between equity and debt.
Patrick Donohue discusses the financing options Hill Capital Corporation offers small businesses and entrepreneurs to help them grow.
Hill Capital has been Recognized by
