The Next Chapter

Why I joined the venture firm Ecliptic Capital and why I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity.

I have spent my career doing “new” things. Whether it was licensing new technology, joining a new division, or introducing a new accelerator, it’s what I do. I joined Ecliptic Capital because it has a radically new way of approaching venture capital, and I wanted to be a part of it.

Launching an accelerator program with MassChallenge in Texas (Austin and Houston) was a massive and influential undertaking. But through a confluence of the perfect team of people, exceptional startups, and willing and wise mentors from across the Texas landscape, we fostered a new and vibrant community of innovators and entrepreneurs. I know even as I move to Ecliptic Capital, the organization I leave behind will no doubt thrive and further grow.

However, I recognized I had a hunger to start something wholly new. But I wanted to do that with people that had a passion for creating new communities and enterprises. Ecliptic offers that challenge.

Confident, but not cocky. Smart but curious. Driven but measured.

I met Mike W. Erwin, the Founder & General Partner at Ecliptic Capital. We met at Epoch Coffee on North Loop in Austin for a cup of joe. Epoch Coffee has long been a locus of connection in Austin, bringing together UT study groups, erstwhile garage rock bands, and even a few startups.

I anticipated a conversation about investment philosophy, due diligence, or how I viewed promising markets, the usual investment mindset topics. Instead, we talked about personal values, why we got into the investment field, how he finds entrepreneurs and partners with them. We discussed the lack of innovation in the venture capital industry (oh, the irony) and the omnipresent onus and surety that investing needed to change. I determined I had to be a part of this.

We talked even more about the team assembled under the Ecliptic Capital banner. Incredibly successful entrepreneurs know a thing or two about starting, growing, and propelling these ventures on a path to growth populated with mentors from a broad spectrum of fields. I was hooked on this new mindset and was eager to learn more. The EC Crew viewed venture capital as a partnership, not just an investment. They strove for a legacy of fostering the next generation of discovery, giving life to the same entrepreneurial spirit I’ve always admired.

I was determined to be a part of this, and through long talks with the Founders, I have boiled the difference down into two ideals:

1. They get in the trenches and work with the startups from day one. They wanted to share the risk and the reward by rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty. Growing up in the midwest, where hard work and work ethic are prized, this philosophy resonated with me. The guys were hungry but humble. Confident, but not cocky. Smart but curious. Driven but measured.
2. They know the best way to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs is to instill transparency, trust, and a dedication to details into their journey/growth. The goal of an investment is to grow talent that creates new and great things. The success (and successful exits) of these startups follow. This kind of experience only comes from years of running successful companies themselves. They wanted to align LPs’ incentives, investors, entrepreneurs, and the firm to drive the innovation ecosystem forward in Texas and beyond. They wanted to create a lasting impact.

Besides having the right ethos, they are showing results. Just in the last six months, while many hunkered down, Ecliptic Capital scoured the ecosystem for fresh talent and ideas, looking to solve a whole new set of problems. As a result, Ecliptic Capital’s portfolio has grown significantly.

In the past six weeks, EC has added four new companies:

● Nanotech — a novel nano polymer with low profile thermal shielding properties targeting a host of markets, including fire prevention. Here is a recent news article on the transaction.

● Earbuds — a social music platform allowing you to listen along with your favorite player or celebrity in real-time.

● Sourced Craft Cocktails — delivers high-quality batched cocktails directly to your door.

● Pluralytics — creates a deeper understanding of how language implies values allowing brands to speak to consumers.

With this fresh crop of passionate entrepreneurs joining, we have raised EC’s portfolio companies to 11.

Ecliptic Capital is the place I want to be. At Ecliptic, I can apply everything I learned in corporate strategy, technology commercialization, and building an innovation ecosystem to create something new for Texas. By partnering with entrepreneurs and providing operational expertise, we can create a lasting impact through disruptive innovation.

This next chapter is uncertain, it is new and exciting, and I can’t wait to engage the Texas ecosystem from the Ecliptic Capital vantage point. It’s a privilege to work with founders and help their passions become a reality. I’m anticipating a ride like no other and feel incredibly grateful to align my values and talents with such an extraordinary team.

Let’s do this!