21 Jul IU Ventures Hires Venture Analyst Chris Carbajal
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IU Ventures Hires Venture Analyst Chris Carbajal
BLOOMINGTON, IN—Chris Carbajal, a financial expert and startup operator with experience at two San Francisco-based startups, has joined IU Ventures as a Venture Analyst.
He is a 2018 graduate of the Kelley School of Business with a bachelor’s of science degree in finance.
“We were thrilled to be able to persuade Chris to join us,” said Tony Armstrong, president and CEO of IU Ventures. “His experience in venture, especially as an operator, will be a huge help to our companies. Chris will be able to work as a true partner with our portfolio companies and empathize with our founders as they work to build their fledgling companies.”
Carbajal’s previous roles were as a business development analyst and a sales & operations analyst at Redaptive, a data-driven company focused on energy efficiency, and Eden, a software startup focused on hybrid workplace management.
“I have strong experience in startups building sales teams, in operations, product management, and strategic partnerships, he said. “I’m excited to deploy these experiences and my network in service to founders that work with IU Ventures. My goal is to support founders in gaining stable early footing through elements like a pitch deck, sales process, go-to-market strategy, or connections in my network.”
Carbajal said his work at Redaptive was similar to investment banking — building complex financial models to analyze cash flows. His work at Eden was focused on scaling the sales organization and process to turn on new markets. Each helped position him for different roles in venture capital.
Financial expert and startup operator Chris Carbajal joins IU Ventures as venture analyst.
“One lesson that has really stuck with me since my time at Eden is the value of being a learning entity. At a startup, you will always be learning, pivoting, and failing…but as long as you are learning you will still be set up for success,” Carbajal said.
He underscored that this is a lesson he began to appreciate at IU. He also credits mentors such as finance professor Gerry Hays and venture capitalist Jane Martin, who he said introduced him to “what was possible in the space of building companies and investing in founders.” “Going to Kelley is not an easy task; it’s challenging and makes you see there is no clear-cut answer – you have to learn to solve problems for yourself,” he said. “My interest in startups and venture capital blossomed at IU and in Bloomington. I was surrounded by like-minded individuals, peers and faculty who were also passionate about building world-class companies and products with great people.”
Armstrong added that Carbajal’s strong passion for IU’s ecosystem will improve the services IU Ventures can provide to student entrepreneurs.
“Chris will be a great mentor to students who join our new Venture Fellows program. His global network will help us find the resources necessary to allow our companies to compete with companies around the globe. Chris will be able to help not only our new companies, but every company in our growing portfolio.”
“I often wonder: ‘If I didn’t go to IU, would I be where I am?’” Carbajal said. “Indiana University is where I made connections and grew my confidence to go into the world and follow my passion. Now, IU Ventures is continuing to help me advance my career through this new role. Anything I can do to give back to the IU community puts a smile on my face.”