Industry Ventures LLC has appointed industry veteran Robert May as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. May has successfully led and managed financial reporting, limited partner relations and operations across a number of venture capital firms, most notably serving as CFO and COO with leading Silicon Valley firms including Founders Fund and Thomas Weisel Venture Partners.
Additionally, the firm has appointed Jay Ganatra as an associate working on secondary direct investment transactions, as well as limited partnership interests.
"Our firm has experienced accelerated growth as the secondary market overall continues to expand and liquidity needs for pre-IPO businesses has increased sharply. We are seeing a larger number of financial institutions needing to sell their venture portfolios as well as GPs looking to wind down 2000-vintage venture funds. Adding Robert to our team is an enormous strategic win for our firm as he is highly regarded in the Valley and brings substantial insight as well as transactional and fund management experience to our firm," says Industry Ventures Founder and Managing Director Hans Swildens. "Robert will drive the firm’s risk management approach and proactively prepare the firm for the upcoming SEC registered investment advisor requirements. In addition, Robert will oversee financial management of Partnership Holdings, the firm’s fund of funds focused on small venture funds with less than USD250 million, a segment that is outperforming the market."
During his 20-year career encompassing both operating companies and private equity investment firms, May has directed large and diverse operating teams, ensured adherence to compliance requirements, and managed quarterly and annual closing processes. Most recently as a Venture Partner at Standish Management, May oversaw multiple fund accounting and finance teams. While at Standish, Robert was the Engagement Director for Lowercase Capital, a family of funds currently being invested by successful entrepreneur and venture investor Chris Sacca. Industry Ventures was the first institutional investor in Lowercase Capital.
