We are always thrilled to introduce remarkable individuals to the entrepreneur ecosystem on campus. We are even more excited to welcome Zach Ellis, Jr., Founder and Managing Director of South Loop Ventures as one of the newest members of the WAVE Advisory Board.
It is rare for most to know exactly what they want to pursue as a career path. But that was exactly the case with Zach Ellis, Jr., who always wanted to break into the venture capital industry. What drives him? He simply notes: “Entrepreneurship is the purest tool for self-actualization”
South Loop Ventures is an early stage venture capital fund. Their mission is to generate outsized returns through investments to under-served groups, specifically underrepresented minority groups. Zach is passionate about giving back to his community and this passion is reflected through his startup and industry experience. Zach highlights that a lot of the groundwork for his venture was done in his role at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) where he was commercializing technology through partnerships with corporations and startups.
Growing up in a family that ran a construction business, Zach was instilled with an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. As his parents encouraged him to embrace the business, he decided to choose a different path. “The experience left a mark on you that you can’t always appreciate as a child,” he reflected, acknowledging the influence of his upbringing to his journey now.
Zach is a fellow Badger who earned his Master of Science degree in Biotechnology from University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, and a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science and Engineering from United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.
Zach’s entrepreneurial journey is not the traditional route. After serving seven years in the military, Zach faced the challenge of transitioning into the corporate world. He started in the healthcare industry, working at Humana. This was the start of many additional employment opportunities.
Zach mentions that following one’s passion was not always easy. There were several points throughout his journey into venture capital that he thought the opportunity might slip away and never materialize. “I thought I might never make it to VC,” he admitted. However, he continued to fuel himself through unique job opportunities, education, networking, which ultimately led him to start his own fund.
“Managing a career is all about continued reinvention”, he notes. He emphasizes that few people can find a straight path to success but must navigate the unexpected. Zach encourages individuals to explore their passions and adapt to their careers as opportunities arise. Now, Zach hopes to give back to his alma mater and help students discover their own entrepreneurial spirit. “I am excited to help revitalize entrepreneurship on campus.”
We are excited to have Zach on the WAVE Advisory Board along with inspiring and encouraging our students to follow their passion and entrepreneurial mindset.
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