In tracing the chapters of Adam Adler’s professional life, a picture emerges of someone who builds steadily, leads with discipline, and remains committed to creating ventures that endure. Based in Charleston, he is an entrepreneur and investor who founded The Adler Fund, a private equity group with investments across sustainable development, real estate, technology, and high-growth startups. His path reflects a willingness to innovate and a long-term approach to building meaningful companies.
Adam’s earliest training ground was the tennis court. Growing up, he trained at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy in South Florida, an environment defined by structure and constant improvement. His work ethic earned him a tennis scholarship to the University of South Carolina. While playing as a student-athlete, he completed a double major in Sports & Entertainment Management and Business and graduated with honors in 2007. The experiences he gained, competing under pressure, managing expectations, and balancing responsibilities, formed much of the foundation he would later bring into entrepreneurship.
His first introduction to building businesses came while he was still in college. Adam co-founded Ultimate Social Networking Inc. and Ultimate College Model, recognized as the first digitally native modeling network. These ventures offered early lessons in technology, user engagement, and the challenge of developing digital products from scratch. They also strengthened his interest in innovation and his belief that technology could open new doors across traditional sectors.
After college, Adam moved into biotech, a field that allowed him to merge scientific curiosity with business execution. He gathered 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, that served as its headquarters and lab. As CEO, he led the development of a nutrient delivery system based on sublingual, buccal, and transdermal absorption, technology aimed at bypassing digestion for faster uptake than capsules. During the company’s early days, he self-funded operations, secured the necessary IP protections, and recruited executives with backgrounds from Fortune 25 companies. Fuse Science gained significant visibility through partnerships with elite athletes, including Tiger Woods, Andy Murray, David Ortiz, Jose Bautista, Tyson Chandler, Paul Pierce, Andre Ward, and Paul Rodriguez. With additional support from Daymond John, he grew the company from roughly $500k in valuation to more than $100M.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Adam became known in the world of professional poker. He has reached multiple final tables at World Series of Poker events and achieved deep runs in major World Poker Tour tournaments. His appearance at the televised final table of the 2022 WPT Championship showcased his ability to make calm, calculated decisions under pressure. His experience competing in high-stakes cash games sharpened his risk management and strategic patience, skills that closely align with his investment approach.
The Adler Fund ultimately brought together Adam’s interests in real estate, technology, and early-stage innovation. Headquartered in Charleston, the firm invests in AI, real estate development, and emerging startups. As Managing Partner, he remains closely involved in evaluating opportunities, shaping strategy, and mentoring founders.
In real estate, he focuses on sustainable development across the Lowcountry, emphasizing thoughtful planning, environmental responsibility, and lasting community value. In technology, he supports founders advancing biotech, cyber, and child-focused education. Among the fund’s recent investments is Wyzly, a learn-to-earn app in which children earn screen time by completing educational challenges. The idea came from his 7-year-old daughter, Isla, and reflects Adam’s interest in helping families shape healthier digital habits.
Adam leads with a sense of purpose and a steady, hands-on approach. His upbringing, particularly watching his father succeed as a disciplined day trader, instilled early lessons about resilience, consistency, and long-term thinking.As he continues building forward, Adam plans to expand The Adler Fund’s presence in real estate and technology, deepen partnerships with AI-driven ventures, and support founders committed to meaningful, enduring impact. His focus remains on contributing to Charleston’s growth and helping shape ventures built to last.
