Business

How Richard P. Blankenship Created Substantial Net Worth for Himself Using His Network

Published

5 years ago

October 12, 2020

Richard P Blankenship is the Cofounder and CRO of the fledgling Consumer Tech company Prizeout, a New York-based fin-tech company that raised 4.5 million in series A funding this summer. Many people may be hesitant to see a 29-year-old at such a high position in this arena, given that he started his entrepreneurial career in many different sectors- ranging from real estate, menswear, as well as sales for poker gaming. The successful partnership Blankenship has formed with Prizeout is symbolic of his prioritization of relationship building that has led to his success. Blankenship believes that every fruitful endeavor in his career was shared with his closest peers.

Blankenship has a robust portfolio that included some of the fastest-growing startups in the world, all of which were created through Blankenship’s extensive network. A prime example is Steve Borelli, a close friend and member of the same fraternity during Blankenship’s college days at San Diego State University. Borelli was the founder of a menswear brand called CUTS clothing, the company was expanding quickly and needed capital for inventory in order to cover a large number of orders. Borelli phoned Blankenship for help, and the two immediately struck up a deal, Blankenship wired him funds and became the first and only investor of the company. CUTS became an instant hit, with substantial growth after Blankenship jumped on board, as the company was able to prosper given the increasing demand for direct to consumer men’s fashion.

Blankenship was working as Chief Revenue Officer for Poker Central, the world’s largest poker media company when he met fellow serial entrepreneur, David Metz. The two met for dinner and Metz told Blankenship about Prize out. At the time, Metz was also CEO of a trivia app called Fleetwit, Blankenship and Metz spent about three months trying to get a deal done between Poker Central and Fleetwit. During their negotiation over the advertising and sponsorship deal, Metz brought up an idea for a fin-tech startup company which turned out to be Prize out. Blankenship immediately jumped on this opportunity, as he had consistent back and forth discussions with gaming executives who were looking to find more efficient payment solutions. Metz and Blankenship had formed a friendship over the course of their business relationship, so there was complete trust on Blankenship’s end. The deal was done on a handshake and Blankenship sent Metz the seed capital for Prizeout the following week.

Blankenship had strikingly similar success with Prizeout, as he did with his previous ventures in collaboration with his fellow entrepreneur friends, which later became partners. He joined the company in a full-time capacity after he had provided seed money, and was able to sign the biggest gaming companies as partners for Prizeout before the company closed its 4.5 million series A this summer. Blankenship attributes his path to success to his network of fellow friends and entrepreneurs, as he knows what they are capable of. He is always grateful to be reached out to for help as his friends believe in him, just like he believes in them- which has to lead to numerous prosperous ventures, like Prize out.

Business

13 Reasons Investors Are Watching Phoenix Energy’s Expansion in the Williston Basin

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Matthew Wiles

As energy security becomes a growing priority in the United States, companies focused on domestic oil production are gaining attention from investors. One such company is Phoenix Energy, an independent oil and gas company operating in the Williston Basin, a prolific oil-producing region spanning North Dakota and Montana.

Phoenix Energy has established itself as a key player in this sector, expanding its footprint while offering structured investment opportunities to accredited investors. Through Regulation D 506(c) corporate bonds, the company provides investment options with annual interest rates ranging from 9% to 13%.

Here are 13 reasons why Phoenix Energy is attracting investor interest in 2025:

1. U.S. energy production remains a strategic priority

The global energy landscape is evolving, with a renewed focus on domestic oil and gas production to enhance economic stability and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. The Williston Basin, home to the Bakken and Three Forks formations, continues to play a critical role in meeting these demands. Phoenix Energy has established an operational footprint in the basin, where it is actively investing in development and production.

2. Investment opportunities with fixed annual interest rates

Phoenix Energy bonds offer accredited investors annual interest rates between 9% and 13% through Regulation D 506(c). These bonds help fund the company’s expansion in the Williston Basin, where it acquires and develops oil and gas assets.

3. Record-breaking drilling speeds in the Williston Basin

Phoenix Energy has made significant strides in drilling efficiency, ranking among the fastest drillers in the Bakken Formation as of late 2024. By reducing drilling times, the company aims to optimize operations and improve overall production performance.

4. Expansion of operational footprint

Since becoming an operator in September 2023, Phoenix Energy has grown rapidly. As of March 2025, the company has 53 wells drilled and 96 wells planned over the next 12 months.

5. Surpassing production expectations

Phoenix Energy’s oil production has steadily increased. By mid-2024, its cumulative production had exceeded 1.57 million barrels, outpacing its total output for 2023. The company projected an exit rate of nearly 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by the end of March 2025.

6. High-net-worth investor offerings

For investors seeking alternative investments with higher-yield opportunities, Phoenix Energy offers the Adamantium bonds through Reg D 506(c), which provides corporate bonds with annual interest rates between 13% and 16%, with investment terms ranging from 5 to 11 years, and a minimum investment of $2 million.

7. Experienced team with industry-specific expertise

Phoenix Energy’s leadership and technical teams include professionals with decades of oil and gas experience, including backgrounds in drilling engineering, land acquisition, and reservoir analysis. This level of in-house expertise supports the company’s ability to evaluate acreage, manage operations, and execute its long-term development plans in the Williston Basin.

8. Focus on investor communication and understanding

Phoenix Energy prioritizes clear investor communication. The company hosts webinars and provides access to licensed professionals who walk investors through the business model and operations in the oil and gas sector. These efforts aim to help investors better understand how Phoenix Energy deploys capital across mineral acquisitions and operated wells.

9. Managing market risk through strategic planning

The energy sector is cyclical, and Phoenix Energy takes a structured approach to risk management. The company employs hedging strategies and asset-backed financing to help mitigate potential fluctuations in the oil market.

10. Commitment to compliance

Phoenix Energy conducts its bond offerings under the SEC’s Regulation D Rule 506(c) exemption. These offerings are made available exclusively to accredited investors and are facilitated through a registered broker-dealer to support adherence to federal securities laws. Investors can review applicable offering filings on the SEC’s EDGAR database.

11. Recognition for business practices

As of April 2025, Phoenix Energy maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is a BBB-accredited business. The company has also earned strong ratings on investor review platforms such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews, where investors often highlight clear communication and transparency.

12. A family-founded business with a long-term vision

Led by CEO Adam Ferrari, Phoenix Energy operates as a family-founded business with a focus on long-term investment strategies. The company’s leadership emphasizes responsible growth and sustainable development in the Williston Basin.

13. Positioned for long-term growth in the oil sector

With U.S. energy demand projected to remain strong, Phoenix Energy is strategically positioned for continued expansion. The company’s focus on efficient drilling, financial discipline, and structured investment offerings aligns with its goal of building a resilient and growth-oriented business.

Final thoughts

For investors looking to gain exposure to the U.S. oil and gas sector, Phoenix Energy presents an opportunity to participate in a structured alternative investment backed by the company’s operational expansion in the Williston Basin.

Accredited investors interested in learning more can attend one of Phoenix Energy’s investor webinars, which are hosted daily throughout the week. These sessions provide insights into market trends, risk management strategies, and investment opportunities.

For more information, visit the Phoenix Energy website.

Phoenix Capital Group Holdings, LLC is now Phoenix Energy One, LLC, doing business as Phoenix Energy. The testimonials on review sites may not be representative of other investors not listed on the sites. The testimonials are no guarantee of future performance or success of the Company or a return on investment. Alternative investments are speculative, illiquid, and you may lose some or all of your investment. Securities are offered by Dalmore Group member FINRA/SIPC. Dalmore Group and Phoenix Energy are not affiliated. See full disclosures.

This article contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, assumptions, and beliefs about future events and market conditions. These statements, identifiable by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “expect,” “plan,” “should,” and similar expressions, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may impact these outcomes include changes in market conditions, regulatory developments, operational performance, and other risks described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and Phoenix Energy undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law.