Meet the Team

Right now our team is based out of Michigan Technological University. Stay tuned as our Fund launches.

  • Jim Tenzillo

    Managing Partner

    A Midwestern venture capitalist on a mission to empower founders with resources to maximize their growth, while generating lucrative returns for investors.

  • Lisa Casper

    MTU Associate Director of Startup Capital Programs

    A start up coach who has assisted over hundreds of students and pre-seed companies in vetting their ideas and preparing for launch.

  • Jim Baker

    MTU Associate VP for Research Administration

    Responsible at MTU for technology commercialization, intellectual property management, startup business development, sponsored research contract and grant management, as well as campus-wide innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Investment Advisory Board

  • David Rowe

    CEO of MTEC SmartZone

  • Jonathan Leinonen

    Principal Lecturer and Project Advisor - MTU

  • Nancy Philippart

    General Partner and Co-Founder at Belle Michigan

  • Patrick Visser

    Chief Commercialization Officer of MTEC SmartZone

  • Carolyn Yarina

    Carolyn Yarina

    Principal,
    Verdigris Group

Operation and Innovation Advisory Board

  • Jim Baker

    Associate VP for Research at MTU

  • Gene Parunak

    Managing Director, in2being

  • Nate Yenor

    Director of Technology Business Incubation at MTU