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What is a Capybara?
At Capybara Ventures we like companies who aspire to be category leaders...like our namesake, the world's largest rodent. We and our investors derive inspiration from this industrious and intelligent giant.
The capybara, Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris, is a semi-aquatic rodent of South America. It weighs about a hundred pounds, and is about 2 feet tall at the shoulder.
Team
Eric Rosenfeld - Managing Partner: Eric co-founded Capybara Ventures with Bob Ward in 2004. Eric also co-founded the Oregon Angel Fund, an annually renewing, highly participatory fund of 80 angel investors. The two venture funds have helped launch and grow over 25 local growth companies and have attracted over $150M in co-investment and follow-on investment. Eric and his partners review over 200 business plans annually and are dedicated to identifying and cultivating the next generation of growth companies in Oregon.
Eric was a research analyst at SRI International, a member of the executive team at Mentor Graphics, a principal owner of Second Story Interactive Studios, and a research fellow at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He serves on the boards of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (past chair), Catlin Gabel School, Oregon Symphony, Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, Umpqua Bank Regional Board, and several portfolio companies. Eric received his MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland, and degrees in Industrial Engineering and American Studies from Stanford University.
Robert Ward - Venture Partner: After 14 years as an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, Bob returned to his native Portland in 2003 to co-found Capybara Ventures. Bob brings to the fund hands-on expertise in the areas of team building, fund raising, research and development, productization, and financial management. Bob continues to maintain deep relationships with the Bay Area business and venture communities.
Bob was founder and CEO of Acclivity Photonics, an optics-based technology company serving the telecommunications sector. Acclivity's line of micro lenses significantly reduce the footprint and cost of fiber optic components. Bob guided the company through two rounds of venture financing, assembled and managed a world-class technical and business team, and continues to chair the board. Bob was also an early contributor at LightPath Technologies (NASDAQ: LPTH), where he served as director of marketing and director of operations.
Bob's involvement in the local business community includes Angel Oregon (past chair), the Oregon Forum (chair), Portland Angel Network, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Venture Northwest, and the Portland State University Science and Industry Advisory Council. Bob and Eric launched the Oregon Angel Fund in 2007 in collaboration with the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network. Bob earned his Masters degree in Engineering Management from Stanford University and holds undergraduate degrees in Economics and Physics from Bowdoin College.
Shannon Heim - Associate: Shannon joined Capybara Ventures in 2008 and actively participates in evaluating business plans, due diligence, conducting market and competitive research, deal flow, as well as fund & financial reporting. Shannon also works with the Oregon Angel Fund in a similar capacity.
Shannon previously worked at R.V. Kuhns & Associates, Inc., an institutional investment consulting firm, in both their Portland and New York offices as their Director of Public Funds and Investment Associate. At RVK, she was responsible for overseeing the design and quality control of all of RVK's Public Fund products. She was also responsible for completing projects for a number of client relationships including asset allocation modeling, equity manager structure analysis, business development and Request for Proposals, facilitating transition of funds, trustee/custody evaluations, investment manager research, data reconciliation, and performance reporting.
Shannon is actively involved with Angel Oregon, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Portland Angel Network, Young Venture Capital Society, and the Financial Management Association Alumni Network.
Shannon received her MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Portland and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Portland State University.