Meet The Team

James loves looking for and helping build what's next in technology. Prior to co-founding SeedInvest, James was a professional investor at Francisco Partners, where he focused on equity investment opportunities in deep technology. James also spent a number of years at Morgan Stanley in their technology investment banking group, Riot Games and Cisco in various roles. James brings to SeedInvest his love for technology and innovation as well as an unhealthy infatuation with the Los Angeles Lakers. James received an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and holds a BS in Economics from the Wharton Undergraduate Program as well as a BAS in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Ryan co-founded SeedInvest because he saw the need for a better way to connect entrepreneurs and investors. Prior to founding SeedInvest, Ryan worked at Wellspring Capital Management and Lehman Brothers in New York City where he invested in, financed and managed dozens of private and public businesses. Ryan was instrumental in the passage of the 2012 JOBS Act, which changed 80-year-old U.S. securities laws to make it possible for entrepreneurs to raise capital over the Internet. Since then, Ryan has worked closely with members of the SEC, FINRA, the White House, and the Treasury Department on the implementation of the JOBS Act and frequently serves as a subject matter expert on startup investing and the JOBS Act for the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, CNBC, FoxBusiness, the Economist, the New York Times, Fortune Magazine and Inc. Magazine. Whenever given the chance, Ryan enjoys traveling and has been to 81 countries. Ryan received an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining SeedInvest, Aaron co-founded a mobile app company. He quickly recognized the problems associated with raising money for a twenty-first century startup within a twentieth-century regulatory framework. Aaron's positive entrepreneurial experience and desire to help small companies with their own fundraising hurdles led him to SeedInvest. Previously, he worked at Goldman Sachs as an analyst on the firm's NYSE Designated Market Maker desk. There he provided situational advice to traders and developed pitch books for prospective issuers resulting in wins worth over $100 billion in aggregate market capitalization. Before joining Goldman Sachs, he worked as a private equity analyst at a small-cap fund where he was primarily responsible for analyzing investment opportunities and conducting due diligence. He graduated summa cum laude from NYU's Stern School of Business with a BS in Finance and Marketing. Aaron spends the majority of his free time reading, cooking and cheering on the New York Rangers.

Alex has always had a passion for technology and entrepreneurship. At Georgetown, Alex was on the executive team of the world's largest student-run business. After graduating, she helped build out the university's innovation program, finding ways for technology to solve campus wide issues. She then worked at Ralph Lauren in the company's corporate Marketing department before joining SeedInvest. Outside of work, Alex is actively involved in the community. She co-founded Hark Society, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing education and cultivating passion in the lives of underserved children in New York City. Alex continues to be involved in various philanthropic organizations in NYC.

Alison is passionate about bringing creative ideas to life through efficient solutions in law, finance, and entrepreneurship. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Alison worked as an associate in the Investment Management Group at Seward & Kissel LLP. Alison received a JD from Harvard Law School and graduated magna cum laude with a BA from University of Washington. Alison enjoys drawing, reading comics, and bread-baking.

An entrepreneur at heart, Aryeh enjoys learning how startups operate and leverage technology in creative ways to craft a successful business model. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Aryeh worked at FINRA where he reviewed hundreds of IPO's, follow-on, and secondary offerings. During law school Aryeh worked at FINRA, the FDIC, USAO, New York Attorney General's Office and the New York State Supreme Court. Aryeh enjoys traveling to Israel and is especially interested in the Israeli startup and biotech scene. Aryeh graduated magna cum laude from Queens College with a B.B.A. in Corporate Finance and cum laude from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Ed enjoys working with great people to solve demanding technological problems. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Ed worked at Zagster, a bikeshare company in Cambridge, MA. Ed received a BS from Cornell University in Computer Science. In his free time, he enjoys endurance sports and pizza.

Eric has a passion for applying his technical knowledge to solve problems especially in finance and business. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Eric started his career at S&P CapitalIQ as a Software Engineer solving financial data problems with his technical background. In his spare time, Eric enjoys going to music concerts and traveling. Eric holds a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Jamila has always gotten satisfaction from solving difficult problems. She graduated with a BS in Computer Engineering and an MS in Systems Engineering from NYU Tandon School of Engineering. She began her career at BNY Mellon as a developer on the engineering team. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Jamila worked as as a consultant, and that's when her passion for working with fast-paced, innovative, and entrepreneurial startups grew. In her free time, Jamila loves playing and having fun with her little son.

Inspired by people and technology, Jing is passionate about helping entrepreneurs build exciting companies that improve our lives. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Jing worked at Morgan Stanley, where she assisted with company board meetings and other corporate governance-related matters. Jing grew up outside of Boston and graduated with a BA in government and psychology from Dartmouth College. In her free time, Jing enjoys exploring new places, playing tennis and volleyball, and following the real estate industry.

Jon has a passion for technology and digital disruption of the financial services industry. Prior to joining SeedInvest, he began his career at Citigroup in the private wealth division, where he advanced to an Assistant Vice President, Wealth Advisor. Jon helped manage over $350M in relationships, while playing a role in new client acquisition. In his free time, Jon enjoys reading, distance running, and exploring the different cuisines of New York City. Jon holds a BS in Finance with a minor in Economics from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business.

Julian is fascinated with disruptive technologies and finding unconventional solutions for complex problems. He started his career in the US Naval Nuclear Power Program where he focused on nuclear and electrical power generation aboard an aircraft carrier. After his six year enlistment, Julian received a BA in Computer Science from Columbia University, followed by a MS in Computer Science from New York University. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Julian interned at a crypto-fintech startup where he developed a passion for tackling multifaceted problems inherent in seed stage environments. In his free time, he enjoys playing piano and riding motorcycles.

Lauren developed her interest in tech and venture capital after growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is passionate about working with and growing new companies that aim to advance and disrupt current markets. Prior to SeedInvest, she worked in digital advertising at 360i, crafting brand strategies and performing consumer insights research across retail, entertainment, QSR, CPG, and automotive industry verticals. Lauren graduated summa cum laude from Colgate University with a B.A. degree in Political Science and Economics.

With an entrepreneurial spirit, Lenny enjoys identifying and solving inefficient processes through the use of technology. He left his home country (Germany) to experience different cultures first hand at the age of 16. After four years of studying in Ireland and working in Hong Kong, he joined Columbia University where he graduated with a BA in Computer Science and Financial Economics. In his free time, Lenny keeps up to date with the latest advances in technology and his favorite soccer team, Bayern Munich.

Marcus has a passion for promoting the economic empowerment of underrepresented communities, and spearheads the Black Capital initiative at SeedInvest. Marcus began his career as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley, advising FinTech companies on M&A and capital raises. Following Morgan Stanley, he joined the NY based accelerator VentureOut, where he worked closely with entrepreneurs from around the world, helping them scale and break into the NY tech ecosystem. Marcus graduated with a degree in Finance & Investments from Baruch College. During his free time, you can find him at the gym, with his head buried in a good book, or flying helicopters as he works towards obtaining his private pilot’s license.

Miles became interested in startups and early stage investing while growing up in Seattle. He started his career working in fixed income. First as a Portfolio Analyst at HomeStreet Bank in Seattle, then as an Operations Analyst at MFA Financial, a real estate investment trust, when he moved to New York. There he focused on trade support and worked closely with the whole loan and fix & flip loan traders and analysts. He graduated from Seattle University with a major in Finance. Still new to New York he enjoys finding new restaurants, exploring the city, and skateboarding.

Morgan is passionate about building trust with the SeedInvest community and providing an efficient customer experience. Prior to joining the SeedInvest team, Morgan worked at Branchfood Boston, a food startup incubator, which first piqued her interest in startups. She received a BS in Biopsychology & Environmental Studies from Tufts University, where she ran a large food rescue and recovery organization with other volunteer groups in the Boston area. In her free time, Morgan enjoys scouring the Bon Appetit website for recipe ideas and spending time outdoors.

Nicolas is fascinated by the intersection of entrepreneurship, capital formation, and the law. Prior to joining SeedInvest, he interned in the United States Senate and The Chwat Group, a government relations firm. He enjoys hosting Christmas parties, sailing competitively, and talking about his hometown, St. Pete, FL. Nicolas graduated from Columbia University with a major in Political Science.

Obi is passionate about the intersection of entrepreneurship, economic mobility and community development. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Obi participated in and worked for the Impact Entrepreneurship Fellowship, a graduate fellowship program for early-stage entrepreneurial leaders from underrepresented backgrounds. She received her MS from Parsons School of Design in Design & Urban Ecologies, and her BS from Carnegie Mellon University in Civil Engineering. In her free time, Obi loves trying new food spots and traveling.

Patrick is passionate about enhancing business and technical operations, and engaging with developing technologies and the entrepreneurs behind them. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Patrick worked in management consulting with Chartwell Consulting in Boston, focusing on strategic process improvement of manufacturing companies. Patrick received a BS with Honors in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University, where he completed a thesis in bioengineering-based spinal cord injury and regeneration. In his free time, Patrick enjoys watching and playing baseball, and finding the next best song you have yet to hear.

Rucha enjoys exploring trends in technology and using them to find effective solutions to problems. She started her career with Larsen and Toubro Infotech as a software engineer where she worked with clients in the media industry. Rucha grew up in India, where she completed her BE in Information Technology at Mumbai University. Following that, Rucha obtained an MS in Computer Science from Syracuse University. In her free time, Rucha loves painting, discovering new food places, and watching TV series and movies.

Sarah is passionate about working with businesses that provide innovative solutions and networking with a broad range of entrepreneurs. Prior to joining the team at SeedInvest, Sarah worked at World Connect, a nonprofit that invests in people and ideas to create sustainable community-driven projects that improve local economies. Sarah received a BA in Sociology and Women & Gender Studies from Franklin & Marshall College. She was captain of her collegiate tennis team and now plays for fun.

Tai has spent the last 15 years leading marketing efforts for startups. Her first-hand knowledge of both the challenges and opportunities facing founders of early-stage companies connects her to the mission of crowdfunding. Prior to joining SeedInvest, Tai served as head of marketing for Knotel, supporting New York and San Francisco-based entrepreneurs with flexible headquarters. Tai received a BA and MA in Psychology from Stanford University. In her free time she serves on the advisory board of Board Match, which connects professionals with non-profit board positions.

Wyatt started his career at U.S. toy brand Melissa & Doug, managing their Product Development team in Shenzhen, China and launching the company's first ever e-commerce operation in China. After learning the product development and supply chain side of the business, Wyatt moved to New York to launch his own consumer brand, Tribe Bicycle Co., where he learned firsthand the beautiful but challenging process of building a startup. Wyatt left the company in late 2017 to pursue his passion for investing in startup businesses, eventually joining the Venture Team at Seedinvest in the Spring of 2018. Wyatt graduated with a B.A. degree from Dickinson College where he majored in International Business and Management and a minored in Chinese language. In his free time, Wyatt loves traveling, playing soccer, and is a die-hard Liverpool FC fan.