Investment Committee

The Fund Manager’s investment committee is comprised of two professionals with vast expertise in early stage company investment. Jim Robinson serves as an independent investment committee member alongside VCET President and CEO, David Bradbury. As necessary, the investment committee may include additional subject matter and business experts to assist in the evaluation, due diligence and decision process.

Investment Committee Members

James Robinson - Investment Committee Member
As a serial entrepreneur and investment professional, Jim has had an operational role in 12 new companies, seven of which he was a founder. As a financier, Jim has launched more than a dozen funds and has invested in more than 25 companies. These ventures span a breadth of industries ranging from financial services to technology hardware. In 2005 he founded Middlebury Alternative Investments Advisors, LLP in London as an Advisory firm to pursue many of the opportunities in the alternatives and early stage enterprises. More than $100M has been raised through 2008. In 2003, he and partners formed Caydal, LLC to begin an aggressive program of private investing around the world. This team has committed more than $10M in capital to 17 companies many of which were at the seed-stage. Jim sits on six Boards of Directors in the US, Ireland, Switzerland, and Dubai.

Prior to his most recent international work, he had launched successful US-based businesses. Jim's particular area of expertise is in the development of financial services boutiques. He has assisted in the founding of dozens of firms in research, money management, and venture capital. He helped to found and was on the Investment Board of Fresh Tracks Capital Fund I and is a Founding Partner in the Inflexion Fund of Florida. Jim founded Middlebury Capital, LLC in January of 2002 as a regulated NASD Broker-dealer. Based out of Middlebury, it has affiliates in New York and New Jersey. Middlebury Capital, LLC has raised several hundred millions of dollars through 2008, and has invested in deals ranging from $5M to $50M. Jim participated in the founding of the Global Fund Advisors Network, a collection of capital markets firms in more than a dozen countries dedicated to bringing high quality alternative investments to institutional investors.

Jim remains a founding supporter of Digital Bridges, a nationally leading student-entrepreneur program; MiddCORE, a 4-week student entrepreneurship intensive; and Midd Equity Partners, to facilitate carried interest donation to Middlebury College. Jim resides in Weybridge, VT and is a Middlebury College alumnus.

David Bradbury, VCET President and Fund Manager
For over 20 years, David has been involved in capital markets, early stage technology firms, and venture investing. David is deeply experienced with economic development, working with entrepreneurs, early stage ventures, and business growth strategies. Since June 2007, David has served as President and CEO of the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET), which is an independent non-profit technology business incubator in affiliation with the University of Vermont and eight other Vermont colleges. His full biography is here.

Confidentiality Policy
As a policy, we do not sign non-disclosure agreements with entrepreneurs or companies seeking our advice or capital. We make best attempts to maintain your information confidentially. Our reputation as valued, trusted advisers and investors is paramount. If there is something that you are uncomfortable sharing, then please exclude from materials and communications with us. It’s your choice.