Justin Strausbaugh

Founder and Managing Partner

2021 - Current

Lakeshore Ventures is a private venture fund for University of Chicago alumni and friends of the community to access high-quality, diversified venture portfolios in early to growth-stage companies, many with a UChicago alumni connection Our investors own a portfolio of ~20-30 venture investments (per fund) diversified by stage, sector, and geography. We believe in an entrepreneur friendly model where speed to close matters, we don’t take board seats, we can flex on check sizes and we co-invest alongside established global VC firms. Lakeshore Ventures is part of the Alumni Ventures family of venture funds. Alumni Ventures is consistently recognized as one of the most active venture firms in the US, according to PitchBook. The firm employs over 50 full-time venture investors, has raised more than $1BN, holds a rapidly growing portfolio of over 1000 venture-backed companies, and counts 600,000+ community members and subscribers across all of its funds.

Managing Partner

2021

Alumni Ventures (AV) is a network-powered venture capital firm that provides accredited investors with a smart, simple way to own professionally managed venture portfolios. We are consistently recognized by Pitchbook as one of the most active venture investors in the world. We have a rapidly growing portfolio of over 1000+ companies and have raised over $1BN in capital from our investors. Our community boasts 600,000+ alumni, entrepreneurs, and subscribers, and we typically co-invest alongside other established venture firms.

Managing Director, Molex Ventures

2018 - 2020

Responsible for building and managing a portfolio of strategically relevant emerging technology investments for Molex. Including taking board positions, presenting ideas to the C-Suite/Investment Committee, investment sourcing (North America, Europe, Israel), leading deal negotiations, supporting commercial development within Molex, and the strategic direction of Molex Ventures investment thesis.

Board Experience

2017 - 2020

Board Observer Roles: Silentium - (Noise control – Automotive Tech) Tel Aviv, Israel Eideticom - (Computational Storage – Advanced Computing) Ontario, Canada Wickr - (Collaboration/messaging – Cybersecurity) San Francisco, CA Privitar - (Data Privacy – Analytics/Cybersecurity) London, UK Powerlytics - (Alternative Data Sets – Data Analytics) Philadelphia, PA Ripple - (Banking/Payments Blockchain and Digital Currency – FinTech) San Francisco, CA Spark Cognition - (Artificial Intelligence Platforms – Emerging Software) Austin, TX Crosslend - (Cross-border Fixed Income trading – FinTech) Berlin, Germany Fortscale - (User Behavior Analytics -Cybersecurity) Tel Aviv, Israel Filament - (Payments/Asset Tracking – FinTech) Reno, NV

Director, CME Ventures

2015 - 2018

Drove global deal sourcing, execution and portfolio management of early-stage technology investments for CME Group's venture capital group and managed a portfolio of 15 companies across five countries while serving as a Board Observer for eight of the companies

Manager, Business Line Strategy

2014 - 2015

Managed long-term strategy & planning for the firm’s Commodities portfolio (3 business lines) representing $1.2BN in revenue and shaped the strategic decision making process as an advisor to senior leadership

Senior Strategy Analyst

2012 - 2014

Drove long-term strategy creation for CME's key business units representing $3B in yearly revenue

Corporate Strategy, MBA Intern

2011 - 2011

Financial Planning & Analysis, MBA Intern

2010 - 2011

Co-Owner & Chief Technical Analyst

2007 - 2011

Founded subscriber-based business to educate retail and institutional subscribers about market trends and technical analysis

Global Macro Trader & Currency Strategist

2003 - 2008

Gelber Group: Developed, executed and analyzed trading strategies on major currency pairs as well as multi-asset class strategies on equity indexes, U.S. Treasuries, Gold, and Oil. Generated significant currency market revenue through development of technical analysis trading tools including an RSI price projection system. Gertsman Capital Management: Managed and executed firm’s positions in U.S. Treasuries, S&P futures, and Eurodollars. Generated consistent positive returns for the FX desk 11 out of 12 months before the firm closed. CMC Markets: Provided weekly currency analysis and represented firm at industry conferences. Goldenberg Hehmeyer & Co: Committed firm’s capital in the U.S Treasury futures market.

Professional Golfer

2001 - 2003

Competed in over 40 professional golf tournaments nationwide including PGA Tour Qualifying School.