Robert Ethier

Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Impact Science Ventures

Interviewee

Robert Ethier is the founding partner of Impact Science Ventures - a unique venture model built to invest in breakthrough scientific innovations that can solve industry’s hardest problems with disruptive technologies while generating optimal returns.

Robert initiated work on Impact Science Ventures while he was Vice President of Investments at Activate Global where he mentored over 50 companies on everything from fundraising to team building to IP negotiations. This experience led to the foundation of a new type of venture firm, ISV.

Prior to working with startups, Robert spent 10 years as a buy-side investor managing $2 billion focused on multiple direct investment strategies for KFBMIC. Robert excelled at identifying long-term global macro economic opportunities and sourcing the best investments to allocate capital within those opportunities, starting with the financial crisis in 2008 and continuing into deep tech in 2016. This approach led to a portfolio that was consistently ranked ahead of peers by outside firms including Goldman Sachs and Blackrock.

Robert is a CFA Charterholder and received his MBA from the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. Robert also holds a BBA in Financial Markets and a BA in Accounting from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.