Izzi is a technology innovator, supporting the legendary systems that power the modern world by bringing together proven companies to create a portfolio of mission-critical software applications. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Izzi Software CEO Jennifer Nelson to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Jennifer Nelson’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Nelson said:
“After leaving the Air Force, I sought a nighttime role that would allow me to complete my college degree during the day. That path led me into the world of mainframes, where I began as a database administrator just as the department was undergoing a wave of retirements. I quickly became the last person standing and found myself drawn to the complexity and stability of the mainframe environment. It was clear early on that this could be a fulfilling career, and I’ve made it my professional focus ever since.”
“I have spent the majority of my career in the mainframe space, including 15 years at Rocket Software and five years at BMC. In 2019, I transitioned into senior engineering roles at global technology firms outside the Z Systems ecosystem, broadening my perspective and skill set. In early 2024, I began laying the foundation for what would become Izzi Software, a company focused on acquiring and growing software businesses built on IBM Z and IBM Power platforms.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Nelson shared:
“When Big Band Software was newly formed, some of their investors on the board understood the criticality of mainframe and midrange systems, and knew a fair amount of smaller, founder-led companies were going to need a home, because their technology was just too critical to the industry. Izzi exists to bring iSeries and Z systems companies together in one home to invest in for the future.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Nelson explained:
“Izzi specializes in integrating high-quality companies into targeted solution sets designed to serve small and medium-sized businesses. Our goal is to create an alternative ecosystem of tools and technologies that deliver enterprise-grade functionality with exceptional customer support, making powerful software accessible to organizations that are often overlooked by larger vendors.”
“Unlike traditional private equity, Izzi acquires companies with a long-term vision. We aim to grow them into foundational pillars of the mainframe and midrange software landscape. By embedding these products into broader, interoperable solutions, we help each offering reach its full market potential and deliver greater value to customers.”
“We aspire to be a next-generation leader in mainframe solutions and to be seen as a transformative software vendor committed to innovation and service excellence. Our world-class support and customer-first approach make us the ideal partner for smaller companies seeking relevance and impact in a complex industry. We connect customers with the right solutions and ensure our portfolio companies thrive.
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector of work recently? Nelson acknowledged:
“One of our key challenges has been increasing brand visibility and helping founders understand how our approach differs fundamentally from traditional private equity. Our goal is not to dismantle companies, cut staff, and pursue short-term profits. Instead, we invest in founder-led companies with the intent to strengthen and grow them for the future. We focus on supporting companies that are constrained by limited resources, helping them attract the right talent and scale both organically and through strategic acquisitions.”
“The real hurdle lies in ensuring that founders see us as a collaborative partner rather than a transactional buyer, and that customers recognize us as a long-term ally in their success. Building that trust and awareness is central to our mission and continues to be a priority as we expand our reach.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
With technology constantly evolving, how do you handle innovation? Nelson noted:
“Technology is always changing and moving very quickly. The mainframe model itself is built for innovation and as we continue to onboard new companies, the challenge becomes getting overwhelmed with great ideas. With so many options for integrating our IPs together or creating new technologies from each IP, creating an actionable roadmap is the solution, given the size of the team we have.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Nelson cited:
“ColeSoft was the first mainframe company I approached for acquisition. I was familiar with their technology from my time at Rocket Software and had a deep appreciation for its value to software engineers. Their tools are widely relied upon, and Dave Cole, whom I met at several industry conferences, is a respected figure in the space. It was a privilege to make ColeSoft our first acquisition.”
“Our second acquisition, CNX Corporation, brings equally impressive capabilities. Their flagship product, Valence, serves as the core platform for our expanding technology ecosystem. As a low-code application development environment, Valence allows us to integrate additional technologies that enhance functionality and empower developers to build sophisticated applications with greater efficiency. These acquisitions are foundational to our strategy and are helping us shape a scalable, future-ready platform.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Nelson assessed:
“Estimates claim that there are between 5,000 and 10,000 organizations globally operating mainframe environments, with approximately 30% still actively developing bespoke software. This includes a wide range of industries, to include financial institutions, large multinational retailers, and independent software vendors of all sizes. Dedicated software engineering teams support mission-critical operations, such as low-level system exits or business critical applications. Additionally, many government agencies, while often outsourcing development to service providers, are included in this estimate due to their sustained demand for custom software.”
“Although the exact revenue potential of this market is hard to put a number on, we believe there are between 1,500 to 3,000 organizations world-wide that are actively engaged in in-house software development. So the addressable customer base for our solutions is pretty meaningful.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Nelson affirmed:
“Izzi differentiates itself by intentionally focusing on the underserved small-to-medium business market. These organizations often lack access to enterprise-grade solutions due to cost barriers posed by larger software providers. Our mission is to become their trusted technology partner by delivering high-quality software backed by exceptional customer support. This deliberate focus on empowering smaller businesses is a core part of our identity and a key factor that sets Izzi apart in the industry.”
Future Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Nelson concluded:
“We are actively integrating AI into our product roadmap to enhance usability and reduce manual effort, enabling clients to seamlessly embed our technology into their workflows with minimal intervention. In parallel, we’re exploring lightweight AI capabilities that deliver insightful analyses to empower users who prefer to remain hands-on, making informed decisions with greater confidence. On the growth front, our M&A pipeline remains strong and we anticipate closing at least one additional acquisition in 2025, with another targeted for early 2026. Accelerating both into 2025 would be a significant win and remains a key strategic goal. To support this momentum, we’re expanding our team, prioritizing hires in departments that have historically been under-resourced to ensure we’re well-positioned for scale.”
