WHO WE ARE

Buckeyes investing in Buckeye Nation.

Carmen is a first-of-its-kind, early-stage venture capital firm.

Leveraging the strengths of The Ohio State University, we provide capital, mentorship, and world-class technical expertise to emerging companies that are working to transform society for the better.

FOR FOUNDERS

We invest in deep technology ventures that can realize exponential value from The Ohio State University’s unrivaled scale and network.

OSU Alumni-Led Ventures

Companies founded, led, or substantially backed by OSU alumni

01

OSU Intellectual Property

Technology developed by researchers and technologists at OSU

02

OSU Synergies

Ohio-based ventures who can strategically benefit from OSU’s resources and alumni

03
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WHY founders choose carmen

How we earn our seat at your cap table:

Access to Growth

We are a team of veteran operators who have built companies from napkin sketches to profitability and 9-figure exits. When it comes to our portfolio companies, Carmen’s dollars go further than any other investor on the cap table, because when a check is cut, this is only the beginning of our work.

Early Stage Capital

Capital from Carmen goes further than typical early stage venture dollars.  Our investments are active partnerships, and our team works alongside yours to drive positive outcomes from day one.

Transformative Introductions

From to customers and partners to potential acquirers, we tap into our 650k member alumni network to make introductions that profoundly alter the course of a company’s trajectory, early on.

Unmatched Resource Access

Gain direct access to labs, R&D facilities, award-winning researchers, strategic partnerships, and other exclusive benefits made possible through our adjacency to The Ohio State University.

Access to Expertise

Like any Buckeye, servant leadership is embedded in our ethos. We leverage our team, resources, and connections to create value for our portfolio companies as soon as we invest.

Fractional Leadership

Our LPs and advisors serve in fractional executive roles, mitigating the cost of senior hires that aren’t fully required yet.

Hands-On Advisory

We curate board members with direct expertise to help founders get ahead and avoid common obstacles.

Deep Technical Expertise

With our relationships to OSU's Colleges and researchers, our portfolio companies are one call away from world-class technical expertise in any domain.

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FOR INVESTORS

The opportunity to capital gap has never been wider.

The untapped value of the OSU’s $1.4 billion annual research investment represents a generational opportunity for investors. With investments in new centers for innovation, the gap in early stage venture capital is only widening. Carmen exists to harness the potential of these world-class technologies that have remained largely unrealized  due to lack of capital.

OSU'S RAW INGREDIENTS
$1.38 B+
ANNUAL R&D INVESTMENT

THE INNOVATION INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Carmenton Innovation District
  • Energy Advancement & Innovation Center
  • Center for Software Innovation
  • Center for Automotive Research
  • GWC Space Park Terrestrial Lab
  • Gene Therapy Institute
WHAT'S MISSING
OSU's innovation pipeline is far outpacing its access to capital.
  • Gap is widening with growing research investments
  • Billions in unrealized commercial potential
  • Founders leaving for coasts due to lack of capital
  • Lack of formal VC ecosystem to support alumni
  • Lack of deep-tech expertise amongst Ohio VCs
Carmen exists to fill this gap
WHAT'S POSSIBLE
$100 Billion
$8.7 Billion
$5 Billion
$1.4 Billion
$1.1 Billion
$143 Million
$260 Million
$17 B+ in Liquidity

Created by OSU Alums Since 2016

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DEEP TECH-FOCUSED

Investing in our strengths

Mobility & Space
Life Sciences
Agricultural Tech
Advanced Materials
Clean Energy
Applied IT & AI
THE CARMEN ADVANTAGE

A top of funnel that’s 650k alumni wide

Our LPs benefit from access to university spin-out's, as well as deal flow sourced from the nation's largest living alumni network

01

Unrivaled access to technical expertise

Our relationships with OSU’s Colleges and renowned researchers instantly removes the barrier of technical knowledge gaps

02

A  team of  veteran operators and investors

Our team has taken companies from napkin sketches to 9-figure exits. As founders ourselves, we're able to spot opportunities to create value for founders and LPs early on.

03

A position at the center of the ecosystem

Leveraging our adjacency to OSU and its network of corporate partners, Carmen is positioned at the mouth of Ohio's technology commercialization pipeline.

04
ALUMNI

Unbreakable Bonds, Forged in Scarlet and Gray

Betting on Buckeyes

When one Buckeye succeeds, we all succeed.

We see our firm is a vehicle for living legacy, to support the next wave of Buckeyes and Ohio founders while fostering the culture of entrepreneurship present at rival universities.

Deepening Our Ties

Gifting the most valuable resource: knowledge.

From board positions and advisory seats to fractional executive roles, we lean actively on our LP network to support our portfolio companies throughout the entrepreneurial journey.

Paying it Forward

Investing in tomorrow's leaders.

As Woody Hayes ingrained in us the obligation to "Pay it Forward," so too reflects the mission of Carmen. 20% of our GP carry supports the Carmen Foundation, which provides grant funding to student entrepreneurial and commercialization pursuits.

Carmen Venture Network™

The Carmen Venture Network™ is a closed community of LPs, corporate investors, fund managers, and founders who are working together to drive innovation forward in Buckeye Nation, and to shepherd the ecosystem we need to remain a leading force in innovation and entrepreneurship at a pivotal stage of growth for our region, and for the university.

MEMBER BENEFITS:

  • Online Community to support needs of founders
  • Regular events to convene and cultivate deal flow
  • Access to mentorship opportunities and board roles
  • Annual Carmen Venture Network™ summit
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MANAGEMENT TEAM

Founded. Operated. Exited. 360° Venture Experience.

WILLIAM NEMETH

Managing Partner
  • Serial IT entrepreneur, operators, and VC leader
  • Founded and bootstrapped an enterprise IT consultancy to over 300 US-Based FTEs, exited
  • Three decades of experience in enterprise software/product development and sales
  • Partner at Jumpstart, leading mentoring programs and advising high-tech startups for NE Ohio's leading venture development firm

PETER KLEINHENZ

Partner
  • 35 years of CFO experience in VC-backed life science ventures
  • Former CFO of Myonexus, leading $245M exit to Sarepta for 100x ROI
  • Former Manager Director of life sciences VC CID Capital, directing 70 investments, w/ over $280 AUM
  • Former VP of Life Sciences Commercialization, Battelle

BRETT DOUGLAS

Partner
  • Medical devices executive, 20 years experience in clinical trials, research, and product development
  • Principal at Waterston, a life sciences and MedTech de-risking and commercialization studio
  • Founded and sold mCore, a mobile cardiac unit preventing sudden cardiac arrest for athletes
  • Leadership at Merit Medical, Acutus, EBR Systems, St. Jude Medical (now Abbott)  

TAMI LONGABERGER

Partner
  • Former CEO of The Longaberger Company - the industry leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of hand-crafted wooden baskets and accessories.
  • Former Chair of The Ohio State University Board of Trustees
  • Venture capital partner and consultant for defense and space industries
  • Vice-President of the Financial Research Advisory Committee of the US Treasury
  • President and Member of the Board of the Longaberger Family Foundation
  • Board member of the International Republican Institute (IRI), a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide and has worked on International Election Observation teams to Georgia, Jordan, Tunisia, Ukraine and Ghana.
Meet the full team
INSIGHTS

Our approach to venture capital:

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01
August 12, 2022

Venture Capital: The Conservative Casino

Carmen Ventures is based in the Midwest, Columbus, Ohio to be exact. We are born and raised Buckeyes. Sure, we have done business around the country and in some cases, around the world. One thing that has not changed is that we have been raised to be conservative (this is not about politics!) – frugal, careful, blue-collar, or agricultural backgrounds. The Midwest is to a certain extent, insulated from what happens on the coasts. We are not naïve, but we are not the type to take a flyer on something we do not understand.

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July 26, 2022

Where Should Social Media Go?

Earlier today Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, said in a video that the social-media platform was planning on moving towards videos while it attempts to stay committed to creators, support photos, and put friends’ content at the top of a user’s feed. This follows backlash from numerous influencers on the app, including the likes of Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, due to the app’s changes marking a shift towards a more TikTok-like user experience.

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BUILD WITH US

When it's time to choose a partner, let's build something together.

Discover the Carmen advantage when the time is right for you. With our partnerships, industry knowledge, and unwavering support, we're here to help founders thrive, LPs win, and our ecosystem succeed.

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