Adam Adler

From early ambitions shaped on the tennis court to later ventures in biotech, technology, and real estate, Adam Adler’s path has been defined by steady work and a willingness to explore new ideas. Today, he serves as an entrepreneur and investor based in Charleston, where he founded The Adler Fund, a private equity group with investments in sustainable development, technology, real estate, and emerging startups. His approach blends practical decision-making with a focus on building businesses that can operate responsibly and scale over time.

Adam’s foundation was built during his years as a competitive tennis player. Growing up, he trained at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy in South Florida, an environment known for its structured discipline. His commitment eventually earned him a scholarship to the University of South Carolina. There, he balanced the demands of NCAA athletics while completing a double major in Sports & Entertainment Management and Business, graduating with honors in 2007. The pressures of competition and academics taught him how to stay focused, adjust quickly, and maintain resilience, qualities that would influence his future work.

His interest in entrepreneurship developed during his college years. While at USC, Adam co-founded Ultimate Social Networking Inc. and Ultimate College Model, which became the first digitally native modeling network. These early experiences introduced him to product building, digital engagement, and the fast-changing nature of online communities. They also showed him how ideas, when executed well, could grow and reach people quickly.

After graduation, Adam began focusing on biotech. He formed Fuse Science by assembling a team of molecular scientists, including several who had worked as biochemists at Merck and Amgen. The company built a 30k sq. ft. FDA- and cGMP-certified facility in Oxnard, California, to support research and operations. As CEO, he led the development of a nutrient-delivery technology that leveraged sublingual, buccal, and transdermal absorption to bypass the digestive system. During the company’s early phase, he self-funded operations, secured intellectual property, and brought in senior leaders from Fortune 25 companies. He also created partnerships with world-recognized athletes such as Tiger Woods, Andy Murray, David Ortiz, Jose Bautista, Tyson Chandler, Paul Pierce, Andre Ward, and Paul Rodriguez. With support from Daymond John, the company gained broader visibility and grew from an approximate valuation of $500k to more than $100M.

Portfolio 2: https://adamadlersc.com/