AACE Venture Fund

March Analyst of the Month: Collin Hickey Meet Collin Hickey, our standout Analyst this month at AACE, where his sharp analytical skills and passion for deal sourcing shine. A proud native of Kansas City and a dedicated Finance major with a minor in Math, Collin is steering his academic drive toward a promising career in investment banking. His first semester with us has been nothing short of impressive! His favorite aspect of AACE? The thrill of meeting new founders and dissecting startups. Collin thrives on uncovering new technologies, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, and forecasting their success, making him an invaluable asset to our team and a beacon for potential investors and fellow student-led venture funds. Collin's love for travel matches his ambition—having explored England, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Monaco, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. These experiences have broadened his perspective, enriching his ability to connect with founders and innovatively assess startup potential. #VentureCapital #Mizzou #Trulaske #AACEVentureFund

Only 4 days left to apply to the AACE Venture Fund for the Fall 2024 semester! Consider applying today to be part of this unique student-led venture fund!

We are thrilled to announce the complete update of our website! Check out the new look and features at https://lnkd.in/eWnJvbPZ At AACE, we are committed to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurial minds in all of our students at Mizzou. As we continue to grow and evolve, we invite Mizzou students from all disciplines to join us on this journey. Applications for AACE are now open, and we encourage passionate students to apply before April 19. Whether you're interested in startups, venture capital, or simply want to be part of a dynamic community driving change, AACE is the place for you. Don't miss this opportunity to turn your ideas into reality and make a difference in the world of entrepreneurship! Apply today and let's create a brighter future together. 💡✨ #AACEVentureFund #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Mizzou #ApplyNow #Opportunity #VentureCapital #Trulaske

Applications for analysts for the Fall 2024 semester at the AACE Venture Fund are now open! The AACE Venture Fund offers a unique opportunity for students from any major, undergraduate to graduate level, to gain hands-on experience in the world of startup investments. Don't miss out on this incredible chance to learn, grow, and make a real impact in the startup ecosystem! Apply today and kickstart your journey into the world of venture capital. Application deadline: April 19, 2024 #AACEVentureFund #VentureCapital #AngelInvesting #Startup #UniversityofMissouri #Mizzou

AACE is where STEM 🧪and Business 💼 collide: Meet our Senior Engineer and Managing Director, Yuriy Snyder. Yuriy is in his final year as a Ph.D. candidate in Biological Engineering, focusing on tissue engineering by creating heart valve scaffolds for various applications using novel polymers and techniques. Yuriy's journey into AACE began when he noticed a crucial gap between academic research and its application in healthcare. Seeking to bridge this gap, he found his way to AACE, drawn by the opportunity to apply his technical expertise in a business context. "I soon encountered a disconnect between academic research and the real-world application of our work in healthcare," Yuriy shared. His role in AACE has allowed him to leverage his scientific background for due diligence in biomed/biotech deals, significantly impacting the fund's success in these sectors. As Managing Director, Yuriy's role encompasses deal sourcing, leading due diligence for biomed/biotech deals, and mentoring. His experience highlights the vital role of STEM majors in analyzing and advancing innovative technologies within venture capital. "The reality is that a lot of our most lucrative deals are in agriculture or med/biotech," Yuriy emphasizes, showcasing the importance of scientific expertise in evaluating and supporting ventures like Neuro Rehab VR, Elemental Enzymes, and Impetus Agriculture, Inc. AACE stands out as a prime opportunity for STEM students to use their technical skills in real scenarios, beyond the lab or classroom. Yuriy believes, "There’s no way you can mimic it in the lab, there's no way you can mimic it in any classes, there’s no way you can read it out of a textbook." If you're a STEM major eager to explore the intersection of science, technology, and entrepreneurship, AACE might just be the launchpad you need. Join us in shaping the future of innovation and venture capital. Apply here today: https://lnkd.in/gigabuvb #STEM #VentureCapital #BiomedicalVentures #BridgeTheGap #Mizzou #Trulaske

Last week, our team had the incredible opportunity to visit St. Louis for a day filled with insightful presentations, engaging discussions, and networking opportunities. We extend our gratitude to BioGenerator Ventures for hosting us and making this experience possible. During our trip, we had the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and innovators, including: ✔️Insights from Impetus Agriculture, Inc. on their development of cutting-edge agricultural technologies. ✔️A captivating tour and presentation of BioGenerator Ventures, showcasing the region's vibrant startup ecosystem. ✔️ Compelling pitches from companies started at BioGenerator and Danforth Technology Company ✔️Engaging discussions with experts like Brian Kinman (St. Louis Arch Angels) and Derek Rapp (MD of RiverVest Venture Partners), who shared invaluable insights into meticulous due diligence processes, nuanced investment trends, and strategic decision-making strategies. The day ended with a fun celebration at Fitz in St. Louis. We had floats, celebrated Kyle's birthday, and enjoyed each other's company, deepening our connections within the fund. A huge thank you to Yuriy Snyder for planning and developing this plan, as well as everyone who participated, contributed, and made this experience unforgettable. Together, we're driving innovation and growth in the venture capital landscape. #AACEVentureFund #StLouisInnovation #BioGenerator #BioSTL #Networking #ArchAngels #RivervestVentures #DanforthTechnologyCompany #Mizzou

🏆 AACE Venture Fund's Analyst of the Month: Billy McGannon 🏆 We're thrilled to shine the spotlight on Billy McGannon, our standout analyst of the month at AACE! Billy is a Kansas City native, now here at #Mizzou, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Economics. He is inspired to work in investment banking. This is Billy's first semester with AACE and he's already sourced more than 20 deals so far! Billy's favorite parts about AACE are the real world skills we learn and utilize throughout the deal sourcing and due diligence processes. He also enjoys hearing the stories of entrepreneurs and what led them to building their startup. Congratulations, Billy, on being named AACE Venture Fund's Analyst of the Month! Your hard work, passion, and unwavering dedication are truly commendable, and we're honored to have you as an integral part of our team. Keep casting for success, both on the water and in the world of finance! 🎣🏌️♂️🥍 If you are interested in learning real-world entrepreneurial skills like Billy, consider applying for the Fall 2024 semester today! https://lnkd.in/gigabuvb

Applications for analysts for the Fall 2024 semester at the AACE Venture Fund are now open! The AACE Venture Fund offers a unique opportunity for students from any major, undergraduate to graduate level, to gain hands-on experience in the world of startup investments. Don't miss out on this incredible chance to learn, grow, and make a real impact in the startup ecosystem! Apply today and kickstart your journey into the world of venture capital. Application deadline: April 19, 2024 #AACEVentureFund #VentureCapital #AngelInvesting #Startup #UniversityofMissouri #Mizzou

Take a chance to check out our Spring 2024 team! If you are a student of any discipline at Mizzou, this is your chance to dive into the world of venture capital. Whether you're majoring in healthcare, agriculture, consumer studies, technology, or anything in between, there's a place for you at AACE. Discover how our four specialized deal flow teams—Healthcare, AgTech/Other, Consumer, and Technology—are making waves in their respective industries. From biotechnology breakthroughs to cutting-edge software solutions, AACE offers a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the world of startup investing. 🔬 Healthcare Team: This team delves into the groundbreaking world of healthcare startups, ranging from biotechnology to medical devices. One of our notable investments, Neuro VR, pioneers simulation VR technology to tackle issues like tinnitus and stress relief. 🌾 AgTech Team: Agriculture is at the heart of innovation, and our AgTech team is at the forefront of evaluating startups striving to revolutionize this sector. For instance, Elemental Enzymes, an AACE investment since 2012, is revolutionizing commercial agriculture with its groundbreaking enzyme solutions. 🛍️ Consumer Team: From online marketplaces to on-demand delivery services, our Consumer team explores diverse consumer-focused startups. Our Series A investment in Bellwethr in 2019, a software platform leveraging subscription and retail data, is just one example of our commitment to disruptive consumer solutions. 💻 Technology Team: In the fast-paced world of technology, our team stays ahead of the curve by investing in software, robotics, and beyond. Whether it's automating roofing or optimizing food prep with machine learning, our investments in innovative tech companies are shaping the future. Join us in shaping the future of entrepreneurship at Mizzou and beyond. Let's unlock your potential and drive innovation together! #Mizzou #VentureCapital #StartupInvesting #Innovation #AACEVentureFund

Excited to announce that our venture fund's Fall 2023 report is now live! Dive into insights, trends, and the promising startups we've had the privilege to support. Thank you to our incredible team and portfolio companies for making this possible. #VentureCapital #Startups #Innovation #Mizzou