New investment group launches to back scalable startups in North Idaho

COEUR d’ALENE — A powerhouse trio of regional leaders has announced the launch of a new investment group focused on identifying, mentoring, and backing high-growth startups that want to scale in North Idaho.The group is led by Nick Smoot, a longtime tech founder and investor; Clint Schroeder, an executive that oversees the Hagadone Corporation’s media properties across the Northwest and Hawaii; and Helo Hancock, representing the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, which has a long-standing track record of investment across sectors such as hospitality, healthcare and infrastructure.Together, they bring a unique combination of operational experience, capital access and strategic reach — and they intend to grow it. This new partnership aims to activate more mentors, mobilize more investors, and accelerate the launch of scalable companies that can shape the future of industries like hospitality, gaming, resorts, journalism and media. The opportunity is especially powerful in a time of rapid AI transforma...