Pappas Capital, an investor in early-stage life sciences companies, has appointed Karen LeVert as Venture Partner to help lead the expansion of the firm’s Specialised Fund Management business, with a focus on identifying attractive investment opportunities in agricultural and other related technologies. LeVert has a track record of progressing early stage technologies from university research labs to commercialisation, and most recently co-founded two independent innovation labs, Southeast TechInventures (STI) and Ag TechInventures, LLC (AgTI).
“Karen is a highly accomplished entrepreneur, whose significant experience developing early stage companies and meaningful impact on the Research Triangle community will be invaluable as we expand our Specialised Fund Management business and diversify our exposure to all sectors of the life sciences industry,” says Art Pappas, CEO and Managing Partner of Pappas Capital. “We are excited by the tremendous investment opportunity agricultural technology presents, particularly in North Carolina, and look forward to harnessing Karen’s skillsets as we seek to develop innovative investment solutions customised to meet the strategic needs of our investors.”
LeVert adds: “I am pleased to join Pappas Capital, with its enviable track record of advancing life sciences companies and talented team of investment professionals. I know first-hand the challenges entrepreneurs face in receiving initial funding and am pleased to partner with Pappas to help fill a market need by sourcing and executing on investments in early stage companies that have potential to change the world.”
LeVert has over 25 years of leadership experience in executive management, start-ups, and technology commercialisation spanning the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds. Before founding STI and AgTI, she launched and successfully sold a franchise bioremediation company and co-founded a Silicon Valley-based software company. She began her career working in technology for a Fortune-500 insurance company. LeVert received a BBA in Information Technology from Eastern Michigan University and an MBA from the University of Dayton.
