Team

Eric Rosenfeld - Managing Partner: Eric co-founded Capybara Ventures with Bob Ward in 2004. Over a 20-year career in technology, international business, and venture capital, Eric has helped start over 20 new businesses, joint ventures, and partnerships in Silicon Valley, the Pacific Northwest, Latin America, and Europe. As an analyst at SRI International and research fellow at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Eric contributed to and led projects for the World Bank, the United Nations, USAID, business groups, and governments around the world. He co-founded Collaborative Economics, Inc., the Bay Area Regional Technology Alliance, and the Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network.

Returning to his native Portland in 1996, Eric joined the executive team at Mentor Graphics to lead strategic planning and corporate business development. From 2000 - 2003, Eric was a principal and business director at Second Story Interactive Studios.

Eric serves on the boards of Eleven Wireless, Catlin Gabel School, Oregon Symphony, Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, and Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (chair-elect). He chaired the Oregon Forum and Angel Oregon and is active with the Portland Venture Group, the Portland Angel Network, Oregon Sustainability Angels, and Unwire Portland. Eric and Bob launched the Oregon Angel Fund in 2007. Eric received his MBA from the Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland, and earned degrees in Industrial Engineering and American Studies from Stanford University.

Robert Ward - Managing 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 (chair), the Oregon Forum (chair elect), Portland Angel Network, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Portland Venture Group, 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.