S3 Ventures

Brian R. Smith, a former founder and CEO, runs a patient, founder-first investment platform backed by a single multi‑billion‑dollar philanthropic family foundation, with a hands-on, Texas-centered, two-decade company-building focus.

Eric Engineer leverages work from sales engineer to Microsoft product roles, investor and portfolio-company CEO to back AI-native founders tackling complex under-digitized industries and connect Texas startups to national capital.

Anthony Marfisi joined S3 Ventures in 2024 as an Associate, where he evaluates potential investments and supports portfolio companies. Before S3, he spent two years at DCA Asset Management assessing early-stage technology companies and providing financial advisory and transaction services. He earned a B.S. in Finance with honors from the University of Nebraska.

Charlie Plauche combines investment banking, private equity, and early-stage VC experience to advise Austin founders on fundraising and metrics, leveraging deep local roots and a reputation for fair deal terms.

Joe Curry is a former Khoros corp-dev exec who met hundreds of entrepreneurs about selling; now a VC focused on founder growth, with deep Texas roots and strong website-based brand.

Kathryn Deebel joined S3 Ventures in 2025 as Director of Platform & Network, where she leads marketing and community-building efforts, manages the firm's national network, and coordinates internal operations. She previously handled marketing and brand work at Quiet Capital and held operations, portfolio management, and reporting roles at Gaingels and Golden Ratio, along with work supporting HNWI community events and newsletters. She holds a B.S. in Finance from the Schreyer Honors College and Smeal College of Business at Penn State University.

Kevin Haley joined S3 Ventures in 2025 as an Associate, where he evaluates potential investments and supports portfolio companies. He previously worked as one of the first product managers at Starburst Data, building enterprise and SaaS products and collaborating across engineering, sales, marketing, and customer-facing functions. He holds a BS in Management (Finance and Entrepreneurship) and a Master's in Finance, both from Boston College.

Nicole Bentz is a Vice President at S3 Ventures, which she joined in 2021, where she evaluates potential investments and supports portfolio companies. She previously spent three years at Flyover Capital assessing new investments and supporting early-stage technology companies, and earlier worked at PwC advising clients in the technology and financial services industries. She holds a B.S. and a Masters in Accounting from the University of Kansas and was formerly a CPA licensed in Missouri.

Shelley Graves joined S3 Ventures in 2009 as Controller, where she handles the firm's accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance, and oversees HR and administrative operations. Before S3 Ventures, she held accounting roles in the public and private sectors, including at Union Pacific Resources and Cable Com.

Will Omberg joined S3 Ventures in 2025 as a Senior Associate, where he evaluates potential investments and supports portfolio companies. Before S3, he spent four years at Jefferies in New York City in technology investment banking, working on M&A transactions and equity financings for software, internet, and communication services clients. He holds a B.S. in Commerce (Finance and Management) from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.