COSMO DeNICOLA

An entrepreneur, a competitor, a mentor, and a family man, Cosmo DeNicola is truly a man of many hats. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Cosmo says he always knew that he was different.

“I saw the world with clarity,” he says. “I’ve always had more of an awareness.”

That sense of awareness created a self-made businessman and serial entrepreneur. Cosmo owns and operates Cosmo DeNicola Companies, an ever-growing portfolio of businesses ranging from sports, entertainment, media and technology.

“I know how to grow businesses. I’ve proven it. It's my passion. But at my core, I enjoy the competition and the process. I enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.”

THE ENTREPRENEUR

As a global business leader and 40-year entrepreneur, Cosmo has founded 7 businesses, acquired 10 companies, took a business public, and sold 7 companies to private equity and publicly traded, global companies. Cosmo has experience managing a diverse portfolio of businesses serving 17 countries including technology, healthcare, entertainment, media and professional football while actively managing humanitarian initiatives that impact positive, global change. 

For Cosmo, that journey began in 1981 when he founded Amtech Software, provider of ERP solutions for the packaging manufacturing industry. Amtech has led the market for the past 40 years and is the backbone of more than 700 manufacturing plants in 17 countries.  Amtech's success drove Cosmo and his wife Janet to launch technology support company, Futura Services Inc., in 1992. 

In the early 2000's, Cosmo entered the M & A sector, acquiring Amtech competitor's Zytek and Hyperware. In addition, Cosmo co-founded enterprise mobility provider of wireless/ RFID technology, InfoLogix Inc. The company went public in 2006, and sold to Stanley Black & Decker in 2011. That same year, Cosmo co-found international SAP services company, LogiStar Solutions, and sold it to Ernst & Young in the spring of 2014. In 2014, Cosmo co-founded Pursuit Healthcare Advisors, and in 2017 sold it to Atos (Paris, France). In 2018, Cosmo acquired Avista Solutions International (Minneapolis) and Qualitek (Atlanta), expanding his markets to 17 countries. In June 2018, Cosmo was recognized as Ernst & Youngs Philadelphia Region Entrepreneur of the Year for Family Business. 

In 2008, when William (Bill) Rouhana and Amy Newmark bought Chicken Soup for the Soul, Cosmo joined as an investor. Chicken Soup for the Soul was started in 1993 with a simple idea: that people could help each other by sharing 101 stories about their lives.

The stories soothed and provided comfort, just like chicken soup. The Chicken Soup for the Soul book series of over 300 titles has sold more than 110 million copies in the US and Canada. Chicken Soup for the Soul books have been translated into more than 43 languages and have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide. . 

In 2015, Cosmo invested in the newly formed Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSSE) and was elected as a Director to its Board on June 18, 2019. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is changing the media landscape by building a network of video-on-demand networks delivering lifestyle content for all screens, connected by their core brand pillars of positivity, hope and comfort. Chicken Soup acquired Red Box in 2022 to form a platform for the cost-value consumer of entertainment.   

Cosmo's focus includes the healthcare space. In early 2012, Cosmo helped to transform Futura Services into Futura Mobility, an enterprise mobility company that has grown to support over 300,000 users and mobile devices through the enterprise and healthcare space. In July of 2020, Futura Mobility was sold to it's current CEO, David Gulian, and private equity firm, Renovus Capital Partners.  Futura Mobility remains present in 1 of every 3 US hospitals. In addition to Futura Mobility, Cosmo has launched companies that develop mobile applications for chronic disease management and deliver strategic consulting services. His companies have been recognized as Innovator of the Year within the healthcare and manufacturing industries.

In 2021 Cosmo and Janet sold the majority interest in Amtech / Futura to Peak Rock Capital. 

THE COMPETITOR

Cosmo’s entrepreneurial success can be credited to his competitive nature.

"I am a competitor at heart," he says. "I want to win, have fun, and help people."

"Economic success is kind of fun, but I love winning." "To win in business is to have a good market, a great product, and loyal customers. I'm competing -- and that's what fulfills me."

Through his fearless pursuit to win, Cosmo has become involved in an array of industries. One of his biggest passions; however, is within the world of sports and entertainment. That passion became a reality in 2006 when Cosmo entered Arena Football.  Through his ownership, Cosmo built relationships within the professional football community. During Cosmo's 13 season tenure as owner, his teams captured six Conference Championships and two World Championships. 

Cosmo entered the world of entertainment in 2011, launching MKS&D, a Hollywood talent management firm that had managed actors in film, television and theatre for 30 years.  Clients under management include hundreds of actors, including a Tony Award winner and Grammy nominated artists.  

In the fall of 2014, Cosmo announced a new partnership with iconic sports agent, Leigh Steinberg and his sports agency, Steinberg Sports and Entertainment (SS&E).

SS&E is a full-service athlete representation, marketing and consulting firm. With over 45 years in the industry, SS&E has guided the careers of hundred of athletes, broadcasters and coaches, as well as consulted for corporations, charities and entertainment properties to achieve optimal success. With a commitment to paying it forward, SS&E produces several world-class events to teach the next generation of professionals. In 2021v SSE diversified to now include baseball & basketball representation.

THE MENTOR

"Above all else, I feel like I have a wealth of experience and knowledge, and I want to share that with people in my life," says Cosmo. "I hope that by sharing my experiences, I can be a positive influence in their life, and guide them on a successful path."

Cosmo continues, "Time is the most precious and difficult thing to give. Lending your name or writing a check is one thing, but at the end of the day, all people really want and neeed is your time and attention."

In addition to mentoring, Cosmo makes it a priority to give back to both his local and global community. Cosmo serves on the board of the Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI), a prestigious, non-profit organization comprised of innovative, successful entrepreneurs who work in tandem with the United Nations to implement large-scale humanitarian projects for under-developed countries. In 2021 Cosmo along with his wife Janet established the DeNicola Family Foundation. The Foundation'a 4 passions are managed by its Executive Director Morgan DeNicola. 

In the fall of 2014, Cosmo and his business partner, Leigh Steinberg, worked in tandem to develop the Steinberg DeNicola Humanitarian Award, an award designed to commemorate members of the NFL community for their humanitarian efforts. The Humanitarian Award is presented annually at the Leigh Steinberg Super Bowl party, hosted in the Super Bowl host city, and the annual Maxwell Football Gala, hosted in Atlantic City, NJ. 56 recipients have received the award.