Aaron Stachel
Partner at FirstMile Ventures
Aaron Stachel
Partner at FirstMile Ventures
Denver, Colorado
Overview
Work Experience
Partner
2018 - Current
FirstMile Ventures' mission is to be the first partner to founders building generational companies in the best venture markets outside the coasts - starting in Texas and Colorado. We focus on capital efficient companies whose founders have unique insights about their markets, earned through meaningful experience.
Principal
2013 - 2018
Launched the firm with the founding partner to fill a gap seed funding in the Colorado ecosystem. Participated in 31 investments, including two companies with multi-billion dollar enterprise values.
Principal
2013 - 2018
Fund operations and investor relations for an actively managed, multi-strategy hedge fund that seeks long-term capital appreciation and income while limiting the risks of market exposure through active hedging.
Corporate Strategy Group
2011 - 2013
Participated in a leadership rotational program in the Strategic Development Group based in Newmont Mining's global headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Assignments included Corporate Development (M&A) and Investor Relations. Work also included internal and external analysis to support broader strategic initiatives and government negotiations.
Finance and Operations Intern
2010 - 2011
Novinda is a venture-backed company that has developed a proprietary product to reduce mercury emissions in coal-burning power plants. As an MBA intern and part-time employee, I assisted the management team with business development, investor presentations, financial modeling and budgeting, market research, and regulatory research.
Consultant
2009 - 2010
As an MBA intern, I assisted with the launch of technology companies by providing customized business consulting services. Work included business plan development, refinement of strategy, financial modeling and analysis, investor presentations, and market research.
Aviation Officer
1999 - 2009
Significant leadership and operations experience as an officer and Apache helicopter pilot. International career involved training and preparing aviation units for combat. Career culminated with 2 one-year tours to Iraq. -Led an Apache helicopter company in Iraq with 8 helicopters, 20 pilots, and 20 mechanics -Served as the air mission commander for hundreds of missions in Iraq in support of U.S. and Iraqi Army units; responsible for maintenance readiness, planning, execution, and coordination with ground units -Led a 100-person aviation support unit responsible for human resources, intelligence, logistics, communications and medical support -Served as the senior aviation advisor to a 5000-person armored cavalry regiment; responsible for aviation planning, operations, and logistical flights in Northwestern Iraq -Led a 20-person Apache helicopter platoon in Korea and Iraq