Team

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Brent Hill

Managing Partner

Brent joined Origin Ventures as a partner in January 2013, and leads the firm’s office in Salt Lake City. He serves on the Board of Directors of BacklotCars, 15Five, Fountain, Apptentive, Voxpopme, Pronto, Measured Insurance, Kidizen, Mighty, and Bound. He is a board observer for DirectScale, Appdetex, and ViralGains. Previous investments include Ahalogy (acquired by Quotient), Teem (acquired by WeWork), Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB), Tubemogul (NASD: TUBE), and Wire (acquired by Remitly).

Brent joined Origin Ventures as a partner in January 2013, and leads the firm’s office in Salt Lake City. He serves on the Board of Directors of BacklotCars, 15Five, Fountain, Apptentive, Voxpopme, Pronto, Kidizen, Mighty, and Bound. He is a board observer for DirectScale, Appdetex, and ViralGains. Previous investments include Ahalogy (acquired by Quotient), Teem (acquired by WeWork), Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB), Tubemogul (NASD: TUBE), and Wire (acquired by Remitly).

Prior to joining Origin, Brent led the Central Region sales organization for Twitter – opening their first business office in the Midwest in 2010. Prior to joining Twitter, he was the head of Financial Services for Google (Chicago). Brent joined Google after his previous company, FeedBurner, was acquired by Google in 2007.

Before joining FeedBurner, Brent was the President of Classic Kids, a national network of high-end family portrait studios. He was an entrepreneur-in-residence at OCA Ventures, and was an EVP with a unit of Interactive Corp.

He previously co-founded MVP.com, an online sporting goods retailer. Brent started his career with Accenture, where he spent 10 years developing CRM software for the telecom industry.

Brent received a B.S. in Finance from Bradley University, where he was captain of the golf team. He received his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he serves as a judge for the annual New Venture Challenge. He was recognized in the Crain’s Chicago Business Tech 50 in 2014.

An avid runner and cyclist, Brent has completed 16 marathons – including three of the World Marathon Majors (Chicago, Boston, NY). He was a 2013 Team USA qualifier for the World Duathlon Championships.

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Jason Heltzer

Managing Partner

Jason joined Origin Ventures as a partner in 2014 and began his career in venture capital in 2001. Jason is currently a board member or observer for Atavium, Tock, Tovala, and X-Mode.

Jason joined Origin Ventures as a partner in 2014 and began his career in venture capital in 2001. Jason is currently a board member or observer for Atavium, Tock, Tovala, and X-Mode.

Before joining Origin, Jason was a general partner at OCA Ventures where he was involved in over 60 venture capital investment transactions and worked directly with founders to grow many of OCA’s portfolio companies. Jason led OCA’s investments in Cartavi (acquired by Docusign), Base CRM (acquired by Zendesk), Brightnest (acquired by Angie’s List) and FeeFighters (acquired by Groupon). Jason also worked closely with TradeKing (acquired by Ally Bank).

Before OCA, Jason spent three and a half years as a software engineer and software architect for Deloitte Consulting. He also led engineering and business teams at 1stUp, a San Francisco-based startup.

Jason holds an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship, with high honors, from Chicago Booth, where he was a Siebel Scholar and Wallman Scholar. Jason also holds a BS in computer science, with highest distinction, from the University of Michigan, where he also founded a fraternity.

In addition to his professional responsibilities at Origin, Jason is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Chicago Booth, where he teaches the venture capital and private equity lab class.

Jason has an interest in movies, and has watched every Best Picture movie from 1927-present, plus about 175 documentaries. In addition, for most of his life, Jason has been addicted to video games, which is what prompted him to teach himself how to code when he was 13.

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Alex Meyer

Managing Partner

Alex Meyer joined Origin Ventures as a partner in 2019. Previously, Alex served as Vice President for Global Business Development at SAP, founded the Harvard Business School Angels Chicago, and has held senior advisory and operating roles at Deloitte and Hollywood based House of Blues, Inc.

Alex Meyer joined Origin Ventures as a partner in 2019. Previously, Alex served as Vice President for Global Business Development at SAP and has held senior advisory and operating roles at multinational management consulting firm Deloitte and Hollywood based House of Blues, Inc.

Alex is the founder and chairman of the Harvard Business School Alumni Angels and Entrepreneurship Council of Chicago, one of Chicago’s most active early stage investors, and serves on the global board of the HBS Alumni Angels Association. He helped to establish the Global Alumni New Venture Competition at the Harvard Business School, where he is an emeritus member of the school’s alumni board of directors and its executive committee. He is President Emeritus of the Harvard Business School Club of Chicago and served on the board of the HBSCC Charitable Fund.

Alex brings a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship and economic development to Origin Ventures. He has contributed to entrepreneurship and engineering programs at Harvard University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, Northwestern, IIT, and Endeavor as a judge, lecturer, and advisor, and co-authored the Harvard Business School case: “Rising from the Ashes – The Emergence of Chicago’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” (HBS Press). He served on Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s technology and economic development delegations to Boston, London, Israel, Tokyo, and Beijing. Alex also established the Society for Business & Management in Engineering, now the National Organization for Business & Engineering, which has expanded to over a dozen universities throughout North America, and is a recipient of the NOBE Lifetime Dedication Award.

Additionally, Alex is a founder and vice chairman of the board of Chicago’s Stage 773 Theater, a Chicago-based performing arts center and incubator which produces, among many things, the world’s largest sketch comedy festival: Chicago Sketchfest. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, an MBA from the Harvard Business School, and theatrical education from the Second City Conservatory. He was named one of Chicago’s 40 Under 40 and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago.

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Steven N. Miller

Founding Partner

Steven N. Miller is a founding partner of Origin Ventures. Prior to co-founding Origin, Steve spent 10 years at Quill Corporation, a direct marketer of office products started by his family in 1956. His experience there included running the Canadian distribution center as well as P&L responsibility for a $30 Million product line. Steve’s final two years at Quill were devoted to starting up the e-commerce operation. He wrote the business plan for the company’s first web site, quill.com, and managed the team that executed it to $15 Million in annual revenue. In 1998, the Miller family sold Quill to Staples and achieved a $1 Billion exit.

Steven N. Miller is a founding partner of Origin Ventures. Prior to co-founding Origin, Steve spent 10 years at Quill Corporation, a direct marketer of office products started by his family in 1956. His experience there included running the Canadian distribution center as well as P&L responsibility for a $30 Million product line. Steve’s final two years at Quill were devoted to starting up the e-commerce operation. He wrote the business plan for the company’s first web site, quill.com, and managed the team that executed it to $15 Million in annual revenue. In 1998, the Miller family sold Quill to Staples and achieved a $1 Billion exit.

Steve serves on the boards of Backlot Cars, Impact Engine, and VHT, and was previously a director of doggyloot and Shoutlet. He was on the board of GrubHub (NYSE: GRUB) for the first four years after Origin led the company’s initial round of venture funding. Prior to its sale in 2004, he served on the board of directors of iNest. He was also an investor and advisor at Golf.com, before it was acquired by Time Inc. in 2006.

Steve is president of the board of Victory Gardens Theater and vice chair of the Better Government Association. He is a board member of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, as well as Stage 773, and serves the Metropolitan Planning Council as an Executive Advisor. Steve is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the University of Illinois Foundation, and was awarded the 2014 Richard J. Daley Medal by the Illinois Venture Capital Association.

Steve received a B.S. degree in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1987, where he now chairs the Dean’s Business Council and serves on the board of the Hillel Foundation. He also provides funding for the Steven N. Miller Entrepreneurial Scholarships, the Diane N. & Steven N. Miller Centennial Chair in Business, and the Origin Ventures Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Illinois.

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Bruce N. Barron

Founding Partner

Bruce N. Barron is a founding partner of Origin Ventures. He is an observer to, or member of, the Boards of Directors of DialogTech, Archer Education, and Tock. He previously served on the GrubHub (NYSE: GRUB) Board of Directors. In addition, he serves on the boards of the American Cancer Society, the Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities, and Israel Cancer Research Fund Chicago and International Chapters. Bruce was named a Crain’s Chicago Business Tech 50 member in 2013. He also provides funding for the Origin Ventures Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Illinois.

Bruce N. Barron is a founding partner of Origin Ventures. He is an observer to, or member of, the Boards of Directors of DialogTech, Archer Education, and Tock. He previously served on the GrubHub (NYSE: GRUB) Board of Directors. In addition, he serves on the boards of the American Cancer Society, the Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities, and Israel Cancer Research Fund Chicago and International Chapters. Bruce was named a Crain’s Chicago Business Tech 50 member in 2013. He also provides funding for the Origin Ventures Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Illinois.

From 1985-2007, Bruce was involved in the management of several start-up medical technology companies. From 1995-2007 he served as a member of the Board of Directors of Applied NeuroSolutions, Inc. (APNS), a public biotechnology company developing a diagnostic to detect, and therapeutics to treat, Alzheimer’s disease. He also served as CEO of APNS from 1995-2004, and as Chairman of the Board from 1999-2006. From 1988 to 2001 Bruce also served on the Board of Directors of Trimedyne Inc., a public manufacturer of surgical lasers used to treat diseases and other medical conditions.

Bruce received a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1977. He earned his C.P.A. certificate and worked as an accountant in the Chicago office of Touche Ross (the predecessor of Deloitte & Touche) and other medium-size public accounting firms. He left the practice of public accounting in 1985 to begin his entrepreneurial career. He enjoys traveling with his family.

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Scott Stern

Vice President

Scott Stern is a Vice President at Origin Ventures, having joined in February 2016 as an intern while in business school, and full-time as senior associate in August 2017. He serves as a board member for Origin portfolio companies Idelic and Tovala and a board observer for Atavium, BacklotCars, Fountain, and Kidizen.

Scott Stern is a Vice President at Origin Ventures, having joined in February 2016 as an intern while in business school, and full-time as senior associate in August 2017. He serves as a board member for Origin portfolio companies Idelic and Tovala and a board observer Atavium, Backlot Cars, Fountain, and Kidizen.

Prior to Origin, Scott spent six years as a quantitative trader, focusing on deregulated electricity products through the use of advanced computing and big data. During this time he was also an active angel investor, most notably in Knotch. Before attending business school, he helped start and launch Qore Performance – a performance apparel and thermoregulation startup in Northern Virginia.

Scott holds a B.A. in economics and mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in entrepreneurship and Finance.

Scott is an avid foodie and amateur chef and also enjoys traveling.

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Prashant Shukla

Vice President

Prashant is a Vice President at Origin Ventures, joining the firm as Senior Associate in May 2017. He serves as a Board Observer for Origin portfolio companies 15Five, Pronto, Measured Insurance, Mighty, and Trala.

Prashant is a Vice President at Origin Ventures, joining the firm as Senior Associate in May 2017. He serves as a Board Observer for Origin portfolio companies 15Five, Pronto, Measured Insurance, Mighty, and Trala.

Prashant started his career at Bain & Company. During his time at Bain, he advised telecom, healthcare, & education clients, but spent most of his time on a large technology client dealing with strategic questions around emerging technologies.

After Bain, he joined San Francisco-based startup Metromile in 2012 as the first product manager, building a pay-per-mile auto insurance product. Prashant helped scale the company to over three hundred employees as it took in over $200m in venture capital financing.

Prashant holds an MBA and MPP from the University of Chicago, and undergraduate degrees in Economics, Business, and Environmental Economics & Policy from the University of California at Berkeley.

Prashant loves politics, basketball, poker, and travel.

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Devon Leichtman

Director of Platform

Devon Leichtman is Director of Platform, having joined Origin Ventures in July 2017 as Marketing and Community Manager. In addition to handling Origin’s marketing campaigns and web presence, Devon works directly with Origin’s community of portfolio companies. He helps Origin’s investments grow by providing the resources, connections, and community they need to succeed. He hosts in-person summits and manages the Origin Ventures Network (OVeN). He is a founding board member of Chicago Blend and co-chair of VC Platform Global Community.

Devon Leichtman is Director of Platform, having joined Origin Ventures in July 2017 as Marketing and Community Manager. In addition to handling Origin’s marketing campaigns and web presence, Devon works directly with Origin’s community of portfolio companies. He helps Origin’s investments grow by providing the resources, connections, and community they need to succeed. He also hosts virtual roundtables and in-person summits, and manages the Origin Ventures Network (OVeN). He is on the board of Chicago Blend and co-chair of VC Platform Global Community.

Prior to joining Origin, Devon spent two years in marketing at the healthcare incubator MATTER, where he kept his finger on the pulse of 200 startups. In addition, Devon actively managed all marketing efforts. He dramatically grew the company’s email distribution list and presence on social media; planned and implemented a multimedia content strategy; and architected MATTER’s summer internship program.

Before MATTER, Devon worked as a project manager at online marketing firm OneIMS. Before that, he began his career in a sales role at west coast startup Graphiq (formerly FindTheBest), which has since been acquired by Amazon. While studying psychology, entrepreneurship, and writing at Washington University in St. Louis, Devon also owned and operated Wash-U-Wash, a laundry and dry cleaning service on campus.

Devon is an aspiring entrepreneur, erstwhile writer, once-a-week rock climber, and hopeless caffeine addict. A Chicago transplant, Devon grew up just outside Boston. He still enjoys clam chowder and watching the Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox win championships.

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