About John

About John

I am currently the Managing Partner at Energize Ventures.

I graduated from Duke University with a degree in biology and chemistry. I began my career in finance at UBS Investment Bank doing M&A and advisory work in Chicago. After a few years, I joined XMS Capital Partners in a similar role and then went to Chicago Booth for my MBA.

After a brief stint at Hyde Park Angels and as a YEP at Foundation Capital, I joined Kleiner Perkins as an Associate. At Kleiner Perkins, I focused on capital light, platform investments at the intersection of energy and technology. After a few years, I left KP as I wanted to gain a better understanding and respect for scaling a high growth operation. I joined Choose Energy as one of the first employees and the first non-engineer. During my 5 years at Choose, I grew from the Director of Business Development to the VP of BD & Operations, to ultimately the Chief Revenue Officer.

In 2017 I also managed inbound acquisition interest for Choose Energy, and ran the process whereby the company was acquired by RedVentures. The experience (wild swings!) of scaling a start-up taught me more than I could ever imagine and I am forever grateful for the lessons, and relationships I gained.

After the Choose Energy acquisition, I joined Energize Ventures as a Partner. At Energize, I lead investments into software companies that serve the energy & industrials verticals.

My operating & VC career path

A combination of high growth operations, finance, and venture capital investing experiences.

Energize Ventures

Managing Partner

2017 – Present

Early stage venture capital firm focused on the digital transformation of the energy & industrials verticals

Chicago, IL

Choose Energy, Inc.

Chief Revenue Officer

2012 – 2017

Online energy marketplace connecting consumers and businesses with retail energy products and solutions

San Francisco, CA

Kleiner Perkins

Associate

2011-2012

Premier venture capital firm that specializes in investments in incubation and early stage companies

Palo Alto, CA

Investments

At Energize Ventures I am actively involved with the following companies within our portfolio:

Personal Commitments