Invests in
Stages:
Locations:
Min Investment:
$500,000.00Max Investment:
$2,000,000.00Target Investment:
$1,000,000.00
Skills
Education
Lists including John
Investments
Realto
Total Funding: $9M
8base
Total Funding: $13M
HData
Total Funding: $13M
Mycroft
Total Funding: $3.9M
backstitch
Total Funding: $120K
Nozzle
Total Funding: $120K
Karmies
Total Funding:
Leka
Total Funding: $120K
First Derm (iDoc24 Inc)
Total Funding: $120K
Jolt Athletics
Total Funding: $120K
Work Experience
Founder and Managing Partner
2025
The Hill Fund is the first and only venture capital fund dedicated to backing KU-connected founders. KU alumni-led startups rank among the top-performing universities in the country, and now there's a VC fund dedicated to investing in the next wave of Jayhawk success stories!
2016
Founder and Managing Partner
2016
Firebrand Ventures invests in trusted relationships with exceptional founders. We combine a vast network, deep operational experience and startup hustle to invest in and support early stage startups. Portfolio companies include: Dwolla, Automox, Crafty, Replica, and Super Dispatch.
2016
Guest Lecturer
2016
Guest lecturer on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and startup ecosystems.
Guest Lecturer
2016
Guest lecturer on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and startup ecosystems.
2016 - 2019
Advisor
2016 - 2019
The KCSF mission to strengthen Kansas City’s startup and entrepreneur ecosystem is done through the lens of “The Three C’s.” Initiatives we steward and support are those which result in collisions, co-learning, and community.
2015 - 2018
Executive Advisor
2015 - 2018
Techweek is a week long technology festival for entrepreneurs, tech visionaries and thought leaders to meet and enable the innovation ecosystem across the globe.
Advisor
2016 - 2018
Blue Valley Schools’ Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) is a nationally recognized, innovative high school program. Students fast forward into their future and are fully immersed in a professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and are mentored by actual employers, all while receiving high school and college credit. CAPS is an example of how business, community and public education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of tomorrow, especially in high skill, high demand jobs.
2013 - 2016
Managing Director, Techstars
2013 - 2016
The Sprint Accelerator powered by Techstars is a three-month, immersive, mentor-driven startup accelerator program for ten selected companies. Based in Kansas City, the program accelerates startup companies that have a strong mobile component. We look for amazing startups in all areas of mobile including commerce, gaming, advertising, enterprise, health, and connected devices.
2005 - 2013
Sr. Project Manager
2005 - 2013
Manage multi-billion dollar large-scale programs for the $15B pharmacy benefit manager division of UnitedHealth Group.
2004 - 2005
Senior Project Manager (contract)
2004 - 2005
Managed mission-critical IT infrastructure projects for leading irrigation systems manuafcturer.