What sectors does VentureDNA focus on?

VentureDNA focuses on Media & Entertainment.

Where is VentureDNA located?

VentureDNA is headquartered in Lake Forest, US.

VentureDNA

Private equity

Lake Forest · 15 people tracked

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Investment thesis

VentureDNA invests in companies demonstrating long-term value potential and works directly with portfolio companies as active partners rather than passive capital providers. The firm believes in supporting ambitious business goals while leveraging deep expertise to unlock growth. By maintaining a small partner base, VentureDNA integrates closely with each company's leadership, providing hands-on advisory services and business development support from its Chicago and Los Angeles offices.

Invests inMedia & Entertainment United States

Source: firm website, verified Aug 6, 2026.

Lake Forest, IL, US

Instruments

Equity

Founded

2004

AUM

$150M

Tracked investments

Team · 15 people

from the firm's website & public directories

Mark Hahs· Co-Founder and Managing Partner· Bakersfield, Californiain 𝕏

Co-Founder and Managing Partner of VentureDNA, leading the Los Angeles-based team.

Stewart Dixon· Founder and Managing Partner· Chicago, Illinoisin 𝕏

Accomplished executive leader serving as Founder and Managing Partner of VentureDNA.

George Pandaleon· Managing Partner

Managing Partner at VentureDNA with prior experience as Founder and President of another organization.

James MacLennan· Partner, Corporate Strategy

Professional leader of VentureDNA's Consulting Services team, bringing strategic expertise to the firm's ecosystem.

Michelle Moreno· Managing Partner – Investment Banking

Investment banking executive with over 25 years of experience serving public and private companies.

Joe Brickman· Managing Partner· Illinoisin

Joe Brickman is Managing Partner at Brickwell LLC and Strategic Advisor at Zaidwood Capital. He facilitates connections between growth companies and sources of venture capital, private equity, and debt financing, with experience across technology, life sciences, healthcare IT, and related sectors. His work focuses on identifying investment opportunities and understanding the criteria and strategies of growth equity providers and strategic acquirers.

Bill McNitt· Senior executive

Senior executive with experience in public and private companies across a variety of industries.

Christine Haas· PR And Media Strategy

Veteran news anchor, investigative reporter, and public relations strategist providing media consulting services.

Christopher Morton· Administrative Partner

Administrative Partner at VentureDNA working directly with the firm's Founder.

Dominique Jackson· Strategic Advisor

Strategic advisor recently joined to work alongside the VentureDNA management team.

Gyasi Sutherland· Associate Relationship Manager

Relationship manager with over ten years of experience in marketing, sales, and client engagement.

Jeff Yehle· Human Resources

Senior-level advisory board member with expertise in sales and human resources.

Owen Clarke· Associate

Associate on the Debt Advisory team, supporting client relationships and working with Managing Partners.

Rick Schultz· Operating Partner

Operating partner contributing extensive experience and professional expertise to VentureDNA's ecosystem.

Warren Holtsberg· Vice Chair of the Board of Managers and Director

Board-level advisor serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Managers and Director of the Illinois Emerging Technologies Fund.

What they invest in

from 1 of 2 portfolio companies

Biotech ×1FemTech ×1Healthtech ×1

HQs:United States×1

Investments · 2 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

BioMech Healthbiomechhealth.us

Hera Biotechherabiotech.com in

Hera Biotech develops diagnostics for women's health, aiming to detect conditions that legacy tools miss.

BiotechFemTechHealthtechSan Antonio, US

Somer Baburek(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardPaul Castella(Director)inWendy Smith(Director)Neal Walsdorf, Jr.(Director)

Co-investorsCoyote Ventures Portfolia

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Hera Biotech Acquires Point-of-Care Cervical Cancer Diagnostic HeraFem | Femtech Insider

Hera Biotech · femtechinsider.com · Jun 18, 2025

Frequently asked questions

What sectors does VentureDNA focus on?: VentureDNA focuses on Media & Entertainment.
Where is VentureDNA located?: VentureDNA is headquartered in Lake Forest, US.

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