About Us

Meet the Bridgefund Capital Team

Scaling the future of digital commerce, one acquisition at a time.

At Bridgefund Capital, we’re a team of seasoned operators, investors, and innovators with a shared mission: to acquire, scale, and transform high-potential digital businesses. Our leadership brings deep expertise in private equity, eCommerce, SaaS, finance, and operational strategy — united by a founder-first philosophy and a commitment to long-term value creation.

Managing Partners

Edward Merriman

A serial entrepreneur and digital strategist, Edward brings nearly three decades of experience across eCommerce, SaaS, and enterprise consulting. With past leadership roles at Salesforce, Slalom, and Accenture, Edward has led major digital transformation initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and successfully acquired and scaled multiple online businesses. He founded Bridgefund Capital to help business owners unlock growth, liquidity, and lasting impact through creative deal structures and hands-on operational support.

Here's My Story>>>>

I grew up in Detroit, raised by a family that emphasized hard work, faith, and community. From an early age, I was entrepreneurial — hustling lawn services in the summer and reselling sneakers out of my backpack during the school year. What I lacked in resources, I made up for in curiosity and hustle.

My upbringing was shaped by watching my parents and grandparents build a life through sheer determination, even when odds were against them. That foundation taught me two things: never be afraid to build from the ground up — and always find a way to create value for others.

I pursued my education with a focus on business and communication, eventually landing roles at firms like Salesforce, Slalom, and Accenture, where I led digital transformation and growth initiatives for Fortune 500 clients. Those years taught me structure, scale, and how to move between strategy and execution. But deep down, I always knew I was an entrepreneur at heart.

After leaving the corporate world, I began acquiring and building businesses in the eCommerce and digital service industries. I launched and scaled Brand Box, a company that builds and grows Shopify storefronts for entrepreneurs. That experience laid the foundation for Bridgefund Capital, a private equity firm built to acquire and grow cash-flowing digital businesses. I also launched RedEye Ecommerce, a roll-up platform focused on helping everyday entrepreneurs generate online income without starting from scratch.

Today, I lead a portfolio of companies that reflect the values I grew up with — ownership, community, and the belief that wealth should be built with people, not off people. My mission is to help founders exit on their terms, and help entrepreneurs build real financial freedom through automated digital ventures.

Rod Sanders

Rod is a business and technology executive with deep expertise in cybersecurity, SaaS development, and strategic growth. His leadership has powered digital innovation across finance, eCommerce, and enterprise platforms. At Bridgefund, Rod spearheads capital raising, portfolio risk management, and digital asset scaling. His unique blend of technical precision and strategic foresight is key to protecting and elevating the companies under Bridgefund’s umbrella.

Rod Sanders is an accomplished business and technology leader with a proven track record in driving strategic growth, cybersecurity solutions, and the development of enterprise SaaS platforms. His extensive experience spans multiple industries, including technology,

finance, and eCommerce, which equips him with a comprehensive understanding of dynamic market demands and operational strategies. Rod’s career is marked by senior leadership roles where he has spearheaded high-impact initiatives that consistently result in revenue growth, operational efficiency, and market expansion. As Partner at Bridgefund Capital, Rod Sanders is leading an ambitious $100 million capital-raising initiative aimed at acquiring and scaling eCommerce businesses. His strategic leadership in this role leverages his ability to identify lucrative investment opportunities, assess risk with precision, and implement data-driven approaches to maximize portfolio returns. Rod’s work is integral to Bridgefund Capital’s mission of enhancing and fortifying high-potential digital assets, aligning with the firm’s focus on creating substantial, scalable value in the rapidly evolving eCommerce space.

Throughout his career, Rod has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build and nurture executive relationships, drive complex projects to successful completion, and foster organizational resilience. His adeptness at navigating intricate business landscapes and aligning cross-functional teams has earned him a reputation as a results-driven leader who thrives in challenging environments. Rod’s contributions have consistently empowered organizations to not only achieve, but exceed, their strategic goals.

His deep expertise in cybersecurity ensures that the digital assets under his oversight remain safeguarded against modern threats, providing stakeholders with confidence in the operational integrity of their investments. This proficiency, coupled with his background in enterprise software solutions, allows him to bring a unique, multi-dimensional perspective to the businesses he leads and advises.

Rod’s ability to blend technical acumen with strategic insight positions him as a forward-thinking leader capable of navigating the complexities of contemporary business growth. His role at Bridgefund Capital epitomizes his commitment to leveraging innovative strategies and fostering sustainable success across the portfolio. With his blend of vision, experience, and leadership, Rod Sanders stands as an invaluable asset in realizing Bridgefund Capital’s ambitious growth and acquisition strategies.

Advisory Board

Chris Denver, MBA, CPA

Chris brings 30+ years of financial leadership, including roles at leading private equity firms such as GTCR, Apollo Group, KKR, and Blackstone. He specializes in complex financial reporting, M&A integration, and scaling finance operations for growing enterprises. As CFO, Chris ensures every investment is backed by strong governance, clarity, and long-term financial strategy — helping founders and investors realize sustainable returns.

Dimitrius Hutcherson

A seasoned financial strategist and transformation leader, Dimitrius has served in executive roles at First Independence Bank, Comerica Bank, and Deloitte, with deep board experience across finance, audit, and M&A oversight. His leadership ensures Bridgefund remains aligned with best-in-class governance, regulatory insight, and institutional-grade execution.

Megan Stooke

With a global marketing career that spans General Motors, Cadillac, HUMMER, and innovative startups like MAVEN, Megan brings unmatched brand strategy, storytelling, and go-to-market expertise. As a board director, she helps Bridgefund and its portfolio companies shape compelling brand narratives and drive customer-centric growth across channels.

Melinda Mernovage

Passionate communications executive with extensive experience helping global automotive companies convey their most important messages in impactful ways. An empathic and energetic leader with a reputation for harnessing the power and diversity of teams to develop successful partnerships and deliver strategic initiatives that elevate employee engagement, enhance corporate culture and drive critical transformation.

Together, we bring the capital, capability, and commitment to help founders scale smarter and exit stronger.

Let’s Build a Platform That Performs

Whether you operate a brand or manage capital, we’re actively forming new partnerships.

Founders: Stabilize and scale with seasoned operators

PE Firms: Co-sponsor with execution-ready partners

Family Offices: Explore roll-up strategies in defensible verticals