From Big Oaks to Small Acorns

Brian Sullivan, the great grandson of Motorola founder Paul Galvin, has launched Rolling Oaks Enterprises, a fast-growing “small bridge lending” and venture capital firm in Venice. With about $5 million now, Sullivan, 27, hopes to raise nearly $10 million by the end of this year to go where banks fear to tread.

Sullivan calls the firm, which raises money from individuals and institutions, an entrepreneurial rescue organization. “If a company is late in receiving an institutional placement of capital and needs $250,000 to meet next week’s payroll, we can help them,” Sullivan said.

Rolling Oaks clients include Denver-based Across Media Networks and Carlsbad-based Spy Optic. “California is the hotbed for growing companies and entrepreneurship,” he said. Sullivan named his firm after his grandfather Robert Galvin’s family estate, Rolling Oaks Farm in Barrington, Ill.

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Debora Vrana covers investment banking and the securities industry. She can be reached via e-mail at debora.vrana@latimes.com.