Nate Crosser

Principal

2021 - Current

Investor at Blue Horizon, a multi-stage global venture capital and private equity impact investment firm based in Zurich, Switzerland. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a new sustainable food system that delivers outstanding returns for investors and the planet. To date, BH has deployed over $850M in over 75 companies across 6 continents. I source, diligence, and negotiate deals then support the companies once they are in our portfolio. I focus on the pre-seed through Series A stages for bioeconomy companies.

Founder

2020

Fifth Industrial is scouting emerging biotechnologies with potential to address biodiversity loss, climate change, animal abuse, and other externalities of the modern economy. See the landscapes on cellular agriculture, mycelium materials, synthetic silk, microbiomics, deep space food, alt cheese, and alt protein CPG. Read for free at https://ecotech.substack.com/

Startup Growth Specialist

2020 - 2021

Led GFI's startup business support program, working primarily with entrepreneurs, accelerators, and VCs. See our entrepreneur resource and investor resources guides (linked below).

Business Analyst

2019 - 2020

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is on the forefront of the movement to use food technology and markets to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, from climate change and global hunger to antibiotic resistance and the exploitation of billions of animals annually. Voted a top 5 global animal charity five years running by Animal Charity Evaluators. I served as the primary point of contact for our two core audiences (entrepreneurs and investors). Activities included: ● Maintaining and expanding upon GFI’s library of startup support resources (e.g., ​Startup Manual​, ​State of the Industry Reports​, white space opportunities guide). ● Public speaking and conducting outreach to investors to generate interest in the plant-based/cell-based sectors. ● Providing consulting/advisory services to entrepreneurs to help them be successful at starting their companies, including assistance with business plan development and evaluation, communication with investors, and scaling with both suppliers and customers. ● Organizing and facilitating the ​GFIdeas community​ for alternative protein innovators (gfi.org/community).

Business Analyst

2018 - 2019

The mission of the BTBC is to aid in the development of high-tech businesses in Northeastern Kansas by working with private industry, the University of Kansas, and other stakeholders to commercialize scientific research in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy, fintech, and more. As a Business Analyst, I act as a consultant to our startups (providing market analyses, business plan creation, etc), support the BTBC's internal operations (such as completing research projects), and lead business development projects (like the creation of a new startup incubator model), and more.

Venture Analyst

2017 - 2019

Summer Associate

2018 - 2018

Summer associate at the world's largest (and, arguably, most innovative) law firm, with a primary focus on transactional real estate and corporate deal work.

Jury Selection Researcher

2015 - 2017

Conducted research to create psychographic profiles on potential jurors for use by law firms during voir dire in major national tort lawsuits

Entrepreneurship Team Intern

2017 - 2017

We strive to address systematic barriers to entry for entrepreneurs and promote innovative, connected communities across the nation as associates for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation -- one of the largest entrepreneurship-focused non-profits in the country. I conducted research, developed projects, and engaged with stakeholders in the entrepreneurial community.

Law Clerk

2017 - 2017

I worked in the Chief Judge's chambers, conducting legal research, drafting memos, and observing hearings.

Journalism and Writing Intern

2016 - 2016

I was primarily a D.C.-based investigative non-partisan journalist covering government fraud, abuse of power and lack of transparency across the nation. I conducted detailed research to write multiple front-page articles for Watchdog.org (readership ~7M). I further provided research assistance, handled social media outreach (posted to 135,000 Facebook fans), conducted fact checking, and other support services.