Most of the companies this Wayzata-based venture capital firm owns or invests in are small and midsize Minnesota businesses. What makes Traction Capital distinctive, Cox says, is that “we mentor and work closely with founders” through “strategic advisors leveraging their business experience” to help the businesses grow. (Cox himself owns a business: Eden Prairie-based pre-owned motorcycle dealer Simply Ride.) The coming year will be a busy one for Cox and colleagues: The company is closing on a $60 million fund and plans to add three to five companies to its 17-company portfolio.