MAIN GOAL

Democratize Entrepreneurship

Chisos was built to achieve one main goal: democratize entrepreneurship.
How do we do this? With a new investment product built for companies and ideas that have a difficult time accessing traditional or institutional capital. This investment product is called a CISA, or Convertible Income Share Agreement.

We look for companies that don’t fit the “grow at all costs” venture capital funding model, or the predictable 5-year growth with hard asset collateral model usually required for bank business loans.
Instead, we look for ideas, founders, and companies with potential and an actionable plan. When we find them, we connect them with the capital and community they need to succeed.

OUR VISION

We envision an ecosystem where access to capital isn’t limited to a tiny handful of entrepreneurs.

OUR MISSION

We’re on a mission to activate founders’ potential and democratize entrepreneurship by providing capital and community.

Team

WILLIAM STRINGER

CEO

Former fintech product manager. Angel and digital asset investor. 10+ years investment experience including 4 yrs at a $1B+ AUM family Office. Previously, investment banking at BoA Merrill Lynch. BBA from The University of Texas at Austin.

KEN ASEME

CFO

Financial services professional and qualified accountant with vast experience working in senior finance roles alternative investment management, fund finance (fund administration, fund formation and fund audit), structured finance, and commercial and consumer banking strategy. MBA from University of Cambridge

NEETU PURANIKMATH

COO-VP Investments

Early stage Investor. Operator. Former Founder. Worked at Alumni Ventures Group as a pre seed / seed investor and in operations at Google, Facebook, and fintech startup Arachnys. B.A. from UC Berkeley. MBA from University of Oxford.

STEPHEN GRINALDS

CTO

Three time fintech founder with ten years of building companies and products for the internet and internet-based financial systems. Awarded multiple patents and serves as an expert on United Nations panel for distributed systems. BBA from the University of San Diego

EMMANUEL de BOUCAUD

Capital Finance & Strategy

Software and SaaS executive with 20 years of successful strategic business and corporate development, fund raising, M&A, P&L, business development, and international expansion leadership experience with high growth technology companies and start-ups. BBA from Occidental College

KINSEY WOLF

Fractional CMO

Startup marketing strategist working with mission-driven companies. Former in-house marketing lead for a FinTech startup. BBA from UNC-Chapel Hill

TRINIDY JOHNSON

HR

Trinidy is extremely versed in the HR field and knowledgeable in all aspects of payroll, benefits coordination, most HRIS systems, employee management, recruiting, and compliance.

HANNAH RICH

Investment Associate

Hannah studied Economics and Finance at Bentley University. She has a background in data & marketing analytics, financial modeling, and venture capital. Avidly working to source and drive the success of differentiated startups.

ZACH SCHULTZ

Investment Associate

Analyst with 4+ years of investment experience. Previously, equity analyst at a hedge fund and investment banking analyst. B.S. in Finance from The University of Colorado. M.S. in Accounting from Regis University.

AUGUSTIN CLOUTIER

Software Engineer

Engineer with 10+ years experience in the aerospace industry. A self starter and loves finding ways to be more efficient with powerful data management and engineering of automation solutions. Baccalauréat - Génie Mécanique

ANTHONY TO

Venture Intern

Anthony is studying business-economics at UCLA and has experience in investment diligence at a hedge fund and leading an investment club at UCLA. Anthony also co-hosts a podcast that focuses on Asian American leaders.

PHOEBE CHIU

Venture Intern

Phoebe Chiu is currently studying psychology and economics at UCLA. As part of the founding class Impact Investing Group, she hosted their first Impactathon, attracting 30+ teams internationally to source and conduct due diligence for start-ups in verticals such as healthcare and sustainable energy.

Advisors

SIMONE GARREAU

Advisor - Risk Mitigation

Simone Garreau is an operational and compliance risk expert who is passionate about innovative fintech, financial inclusion and growth in untapped, high-potential consumer markets and geographies. She has an MA in Global Security and Intelligence from Johns Hopkins University.

SAMIRA SALMAN JD, LL.M.

Advisor - Investments & Legal

Samira Salman is a business advisor specializing in private direct investments. She has a $5.5 billion successful record of structuring, funding, growing, and exiting global ventures. She is a former corporate tax attorney, was in-house counsel at Shell Oil Company, and was the vice-chair of the American Bar Association Energy and Environmental Taxes Committee. She has a BS and JD from Louisiana State University and an LL.M. in taxation from the University of Houston.

ROBERT HATCHER

Advisor - Investments & Legal

Robert Hatcher is Executive Chairman at Avalon Advisors with over 35 years of investment and deal structuring experience. Previously, Mr. Hatcher served as President and CEO of Cockrell Interests and was a corporate finance and securities partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP. Mr. Hatcher received a BBA from Southern Methodist University and an MBA and JD from Tulane University.

THOMAS COWEE

Advisor - Finance & Accounting

Mr. Thomas Cowee has 40 years of experience as a financial and accounting executive, including 15 years as a Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Cowee serves on the board of multiple private companies and one public company in the environmental and environmental technology sector. Mr. Cowee has a B.Sc. in accounting from The Ohio State University.

JOE VANDER ZANDEN

Advisor - Business Development

Joe Vander Zanden brings business development, strategic partnerships, go-to market strategy, and strategic planning to fintech ecosystems. With leadership roles in Business Development at Samsung, Consensys, Cisco, and Paypal, Joe brings fintech go to market and partnership expertise to the Chisos team.

ERIC BUNTING

Advisor - FinTech

Eric Bunting is Founder and Managing Partner at Overbrook Capital with over 25 years as partner in private equity funds, private investor, operating executive and advisor to over 80 companies representing over $1 billion of invested capital.

CLAIRE VEUTHEY

Ecosystem and Partnerships

ESG & impact investing specialist working to refine the business development, investment processes, fundraising efforts, and GTM strategy and execution. MBA from University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business

BRENT GRANADO

Advisor - Finance

Brent Granado is an accomplished investor, board member and executive with extensive knowledge in global markets with regard to technology, healthcare tech and consumer products. He has assisted numerous companies with strategically leveraging the greatest value out of their intellectual property as well as intellectual capital.