For Adam Adler, the road toward becoming an entrepreneur and investor was shaped by a willingness to learn through every stage of his life. Now based in Charleston, he leads The Adler Fund, a private equity group he founded that invests in sustainable development, real estate, technology, and high-growth startups. His career reflects a steady progression, one built on practical experience, strategic decision-making, and a long-term commitment to building value. Long before entering the world of business, Adam’s focus was on tennis. He spent his formative years training at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy in South Florida, an environment known for rigorous expectations and intensive practice. His dedication led to a scholarship to the University of South Carolina, where he played as a student-athlete. While balancing athletics, he completed a double major in Sports & Entertainment Management and Business and graduated with honors in 2007. The lessons he learned on the court, discipline, pressure management, and consistency, carried directly into his work as a founder and leader. Entrepreneurship entered Adam’s life early. While still at USC, he co-founded Ultimate Social Networking Inc. and Ultimate College Model, the first digitally native modeling network. These early projects gave him firsthand experience in digital product development, user engagement, and adapting quickly as platforms grew. They helped him understand how technology could reshape industries, and they laid the groundwork for his future ventures. After graduating, Adam turned to biotechnology. He assembled a team of molecular scientists, including several who had previously worked as biochemists at Merck and Amgen, to create Fuse Science. The company built a 30k sq. ft. FDA- and cGMP-certified facility in Oxnard, California, which became its headquarters and research space. As CEO, he led the development of a nutrient delivery technology based on sublingual, buccal, and transdermal absorption. This approach bypassed digestion and offered faster nutrient uptake than capsules. In the company’s early phase, he self-funded operations, secured intellectual property, and recruited leadership with experience from Fortune 25 companies. He expanded the company’s reach through partnerships with top-level athletes such as Tiger Woods, Andy Murray, David Ortiz, Jose Bautista, Tyson Chandler, Paul Pierce, Andre Ward, and Paul Rodriguez. With additional support from Daymond John, Fuse Science grew significantly, increasing its valuation from roughly $500k to more than $100M. Outside of building companies, Adam has also developed a strong reputation in professional poker. Over the years, he has reached several World Series of Poker final tables and made repeated deep runs in major World Poker Tour tournaments. His appearance at the televised final table of the 2022 WPT Championship underscored his ability to navigate pressure and make clear, informed decisions. His experience in high-stakes cash games further sharpened his risk assessment and strategic thinking, skills he regularly applies to investing. The Adler Fund represents Adam’s desire to merge his interests in real estate, technology, and early-stage innovation. Based in Charleston, the firm invests in real estate development, AI, and emerging businesses. He serves as Managing Partner and remains closely involved in guiding projects, supporting early-stage founders, and ensuring that investments align with long-term value. His real estate focus centers on sustainable development across the Lowcountry, emphasizing environmental responsibility, thoughtful design, and substantial community impact. In technology, Adam backs founders pursuing meaningful solutions in biotech, cyber, and child-centered education. One of the fund’s recent investments is Wyzly, a learn-to-earn platform that rewards children with screen time for completing educational challenges. The concept came from his 7-year-old daughter, Isla, and reflects his interest in a more balanced approach to technology use in families. Adam’s leadership philosophy is grounded in hands-on involvement and purpose-driven investment. Growing up watching his father succeed as a day trader taught him resilience, consistency, and the importance of adapting when conditions shift. Looking ahead, Adam plans to continue expanding The Adler Fund’s presence in both real estate and technology, deepen partnerships in AI-focused ventures, and support companies built for lasting value. His ongoing goal is to contribute meaningfully to Charleston’s growth and help shape projects intended to endure.