Chairman Bruce Evans

Greater Nashville Venture Capital Association (GNVCA), the year-old (501(c)(6) association organized to foster and grow the region's venture capital investment ecosystem, today announced adding three prominent executives to its board of directors.

The three new GNVCA directors are: Joe Maxwell, founder and managing partner at Fintop Capital; Chris Sugden, managing partner at Edison Partners; and Navid Farzad, a managing partner at Frist Cressey Ventures.

In a GNVCA release this morning, GNVCA Chair Bruce Evans-- president of Evans Capital and former co-managing partner, Summit Partners -- was quoted saying, "These distinguished leaders have a record of success in the venture capital industry and I'm confident their expertise -- coupled with that of our other current board members -- will add to our momentum as we stand up this important venture capital industry association for the region."

Previously announced founding members of the GNVCA board are, in addition to Chairman Evans, Anders Hall, who is Vanderbilt's vice chancellor for investments and chief investment officer; Hunter Hillenmeyer, investment partner, Company Ventures; Padma Raghavan, vice provost for research and innovation, Vanderbilt University; and, Marcus Whitney, co-founder and partner in Jumpstart Health Investors and founder and managing partner of Jumpstart Nova.

Established in 2023 with support of grant funding from Vanderbilt University, GNVCA's release notes it was chartered to "bring together the venture capital community and [market] Middle Tennessee as an attractive hub for investment," with an eye toward spurring regional economic growth and innovation.

Five of the eight GNVCA board members named thus far hold Vanderbilt degrees and-or Vanderbilt executive roles. We note also that GNVCA board member Hillenmeyer at one point convened a Vanderbilt Ventures Group as a nexus for VU Owen GSM and other alumni networking.

At GNVCA's launch, several VU personnel provided GNVCA some senior administrative support, but the asssociation now relies foremost on two of its own full-time employees.

From the outset, Vanderbilt made clear it has no designs on controlling the nonprofit long-term, and shares in common with other community leaders strong interest in creating an independent group that can strengthen Nashville's venture sector, long term.

Joe Maxwell's Fintop specializes in fintech SaaS and tech-enabled businesses. The GNVCA release said, "Maxwell's extensive industry knowledge of the long-standing investment community and strategic insight will be invaluable as GNVCA continues to promote and help grow Tennessee's venture ecosystem."

Chris Sugden has previously led growth and innovation in fintech, healthcare and enterprise software sectors. He recently relocated Edison's headquarters from Princeton, N.J., to Nashville.

Navid Farzad of Frist Cressey focuses on businesses in healthcare services and health tech sectors.

Judith Byrd

GNVCA Executive Director Judith Byrd, who assumed her GNVCA duties nearly five months ago, on April 8, said in today's release (PDF) that the board's expanded ranks will help GNVCA "shape our vision and expand our network and influence. I have no doubt the GNVCA will make a positive impact and help grow the venture capital industry in Nashville and the wider region."

The association is easing into sponsored programming and related activities. See its Events page here.

The original description of Byrd's leadership role offers further insights into GNVCA goals. VNC

last edited 1340 27 August 2024