17 Apr FinTech Leader and IU Grad Pattie Felts To Speak on Corporate Venture at Upcoming IU Ventures Summit
IU alumna Pattie Felts’ favorite things to do when she comes back to IU Bloomington include going to Assembly Hall for a basketball game and visiting the original Yogi’s (back in the day). But for her upcoming visit in May, she’s added some additional items to her list. 
“I’m looking forward to meeting other IU grads and students that are active in the technology and venture capital world,” said Felts. “Specifically, I’m very interested to learn and explore what’s being developed leveraging AI for financial services.”
Felts is a managing director at Fifth Third Bank and leads the bank’s strategy and engagement with fintech companies through the corporate venture capital arm, Fifth Third Ventures. Her focus is on accelerating the execution of bank strategic priorities through investment, partnership, or acquisition of innovative companies in the fintech sector.
On Friday, May 16, at the IU Ventures Founders and Funders Network Venture Summit, Felts will be part of a morning panel session entitled “VC Perspective: Corporate Ventures” which will explore the changing role of corporate venture capital. Registration for the Summit is now open on the IU Ventures website.
“I’ll plan to share best practices for working with large corporate partners and investors,” said Felts. “And, ways to get value from corporates on your cap table and in your boardroom.”
Felts believes she has the most fun job at the bank because she has the privilege to work with smart and talented individuals inside and outside the bank.
“I was drawn to the role because of the opportunity to be on the ground floor building out our fintech strategy and approach to the market,” she said. “For me, this involved learning my way into venture capital, deeply understanding banking and related strategies, and building relationships with leading fintech founders and investors. Over the last eight and a half years we have been very active in partnering, investing, and acquiring leading fintech companies which have created meaningful value for the bank and our stakeholders.”
Felts was born and raised in Barrington, IL, a small suburb outside of Chicago. She moved back to Barrington three years ago, after spending time in both Chicago and Cincinnati. When thinking about her IU days, Felts said she missed the dedicated time to learn and explore her interests. But, leaving IU didn’t stop her love of learning.
“I’ve continued on the learning journey throughout my 15 years post grad career building a knowledge base in my chosen industry of focus and in a role that challenges me to explore adjacent and transformative opportunities,” she said.
While at IU Felts graduated from the Kelley School of Business with an Accounting and Finance major, participated in the IU Student Foundation, and was a teaching assistant. She says studying abroad in Milan, Italy was one of the most impactful semesters of her time at IU. But it was a nearby latitude and longitude that really changed her life.
“The biggest impact from my time at IU was meeting my husband, Nick, who was my neighbor living next door off 10th Street,” she said.
Felts only recently connected with IU Ventures and this will be her first time attending the IU Venture Summit. She shared the following advice for new or student entrepreneurs.
“A successful startup’s story doesn’t happen overnight and is a decade long journey so make sure you’re surrounded by the right team and focused on a problem you love solving,” she said. “And leverage the network of IU founders and funders!”
Registration for the IU Ventures Summit is limited to 300 people and is expected to sell out. Registration is $100 and includes all Summit programming. IU Ventures also offers a limited number of full scholarships (offered first come, first served) for current IU students to attend all Summit activities.