Frank Bonsal

Managing Partner & Member

2019 - Current

Founded in 1999 by NEA Co-founder Frank Bonsal, Jr, Bonsal Capital invests directly in pre-seed, seed, and early stage focused companies that target the future of learning and work, with a National Capital Region bent, and indirectly in funds with emerging or diverse emerging managers. EXITS: American Public Education, Inc. (2007), Blackboard, Inc. (2004), Calvert Education (2019), Capella Education (2006), Curiosityville (2014), Headsprout (2011), InferCabulary (2021), Moodlerooms (2012), Nepris (2021), NxThera (2018), Quad Learning (2018), Questar Assessment (2017), Smarthinking (2011), Spectrum K12 (2010), Starfish Retention Solutions (2015), StraighterLine (2020), Student Opportunity Center (2023), Torchlight (2021) and Videology (2018). Active Direct Investments: Allovue, BetterLesson, Canopie, Clymb, CourseArc, Early Works, Everyday Labs, KidzToPros, PrepFactory, Thinkster Math, and Upswing. Active Indirect Investments: Leeds Illuminate SPV, Legal Tech Fund, RareBreed VC, and Zeal Capital Partners (Board of Advisors) Previous Boards: Calvert Education (acquired, 2019), Moodlerooms (acquired, 2012), Spectrum K12 (acquired, 2010)

Partner & Member

2007 - 2019

Associate

2001 - 2007

Board Director

2018

Committees: Executive & Governance Advisory Committees: Impact Studio & Fiscal Sponsorship

Board Chair

2020 - 2023

Vice Chair

2019 - 2020

From its Baltimore city headquarters, the nonprofit Digital Harbor Foundation’s work is grounded in advancing one or more of our four key pillars: Digital Equity for Everyone, Diversity in the Tech Sector, Innovative STEM Education, and Technology for Public Good.

Director of Venture Creation

2013 - 2019

In early 2014, under Bonsal’s direction, TowsonGlobal was renamed the Towson University Incubator (TU Incubator) and re-positioned with an industry focus on education technology and a recalibrated support of entrepreneurs within a new unit called 'Venture Creation'. The unit designed, implemented, and proved out over two academic calendars a program called Student Launch Pad, now part of TU's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. TU Incubator supports the largest hub of edtech companies in Maryland and the Capital Region, from the Baltimore metro, one of the top education innovation clusters in the U.S. Since inception, TU Incubator has supported over 100 companies, induced over 1,000 new jobs, attracted over $30 million of outside capital, and yielded a greater than $150 million in economic impact; these incubator companies have utilized the support of over 150 student interns and dozens and dozens of mentors and advisors.

Interim Director >> TowsonGlobal Business Incubator

2013 - 2013

General Partner

2010 - 2015

Between November 2007 and April 2015, New Markets made its first 15 education investments, over two-thirds sourced by Bonsal, who was a catalyst in raising the firm’s vintage 2010, inaugural education fund, New Markets Education Partners, LP. Board Service: BetterLesson, Calvert Education (acquired 2019), Kickboard (acquired 2021), Moodlerooms (acquired 2012), Presence Learning (acquired 2021), Questar Assessment (acquired 2017), Starfish Retention Solutions (acquired 2015), Think Through Learning (acquired 2016)

Partner

2007 - 2010

Head Coach, MS Football & Lacrosse

1998 - 2001

Teacher, 5th & 6th Grade English & History

1998 - 2001

Grade Dean, 5th Grade

2000 - 2001

MS English/History, MS Football + Lacrosse

Asst. Coach, Varsity Football & JV Boys’ Lacrosse

1995 - 1998

Teacher, 6th & 7th Grade English & History

1995 - 1998

Head Coach, Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse

1993 - 1995

Ranked #4 in Delaware at 1995 end-of-season

Teacher, 5th Grade

1993 - 1995

Asst. Coach, Varsity Football

1993 - 1994

Founder + Head Coach

1991 - 1993

Asst. Coach, Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse

1988 - 1991

Asst. Coach, Varsity Lacrosse

1986 - 1988