Lunch & Learn: Investor Series

StartingBlock's Lunch & Learn: Investor Series.

A monthly event featuring top investors from Wisconsin who specialize in startup investments. Each session provides a comprehensive overview of the investor's company philosophy, areas of investment interest, and the rationale behind their past and present startup investments. Attendees, primarily founders, will gain valuable insights into the current deployment of funds and the key criteria these investors look for in potential investments. Additionally, the investors will offer practical advice on how startups can best prepare for meetings with them. This series includes interactive Q&A sessions and valuable networking opportunities.

This month features Chris Eckstrom, Partner at Rock River Capital Partners, LLC.

Chris Eckstrom moved from Chicago to the Madison area where he has been investing in Wisconsin and Midwest early stage ventures as well as local real estate. He previously ran the Chicago Principal Investment team of Macquarie Bank (ASX:MQG, $28B market cap) which deployed +$2B of capital into special situation debt and equity investments in the US and Canada. Prior to Macquarie, Chris was a Senior Analyst at Black Diamond Capital Management (a special situations hedge fund) in Lake Forest, IL. Chris is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in both Finance and Economics.

Rock River Capital Partners, LLC was born in the Midwest because the next decade of great companies and returns will happen here. We strive to find great entrepreneurs that believe in the Midwest as well and want to partner in building great companies. We are industry agnostic, but look for technical disruptors in the industry. Our bias is for that disruptor to be software related; and more often than not, include a data analytics component. We typically invest in early stage companies who are just starting to show product/market fit. Opportunistically, we will look at earlier stage, pre-revenue companies where we feel we can add value and grow with the entrepreneur.

This in person event is FREE and open to members and non-members of StartingBlock. New entrepreneurs and students encouraged. Lunch will be provided.

RSVP today to secure your spot!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

StartingBlock | The Spark Building, 821 East Washington Avenue, Madison, United States