About
Multi-time founder AJ Smith uses his failed startup and songwriting—having opened for the Eagles under mentor Glenn Frey—to coach founders with a 90‑second headline test and boxing/sweat-equity events.
Invests in
AI & Machine LearningClimate TechDeep TechDefense TechHardwareMobility & TransportationRoboticsSaaSSpace Tech
Experience
- Outlander VCJr Partnercurrent2025 — presentNew York, NY
- Outlander VCDirector of Community2024 — 2025
- LvlUp VenturesVenture Partnercurrent2024 — present
- LvlUp VenturesCo-Founder2019 — 2024
- AJ Smith MusicOwnercurrent2016 — presentNew York, NY
- INVESTMENT POD, LLCVice President Of Technology2017 — 2022Washington D.C. Metro Area
- INVESTMENT POD, LLCLead Developer2016 — 2017Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- JoziiChief Technology Officer2013 — 2016New York City Metropolitan Area
- BitInstantFrontend Developer2013New York, NY
- New York UniversityResident Assistant2011 — 2013NEW YORK, NY
- VERISIGNQA Engineer Intern2011
- Naval Research LaboratoryOptical Hardware & Software Engineer2007 — 2011
Education
- New York UniversityMaster’s Degree2013 — 2014
- New York UniversityBachelor's degree2009 — 2013
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology2005 — 2009
Skills & more
Early-Stage Startups3Early Stage Investment2Startup Development2Due Diligence2Growth Strategies7Media Production6Organizational Consulting6Digital Strategy2Grant Writing2Entrepreneurial Organizations2Business Development2Strategy2
+12 more
Pitch DevelopmentFundraisingStrategic PlanningCommunicationEntrepreneurshipFinTechAnalyticsStartupsRisk ManagementOperations ManagementBusiness PlanningPublic SpeakingFrom AJ's professional profile.
Colleagues at Outlander VC
Frequently asked questions
- Where does AJ Smith work?
- AJ Smith is Partner at Outlander VC.
- What does AJ Smith invest in?
- AJ Smith invests in AI & Machine Learning, Climate Tech, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Hardware, Mobility & Transportation, Robotics, SaaS, Space Tech.
- What check size does AJ Smith write?
- AJ Smith typically writes checks of $500K – $2.5M.
Same school
Also attended New York University359
Gabriella GiglioHR & Executive Talent at General CatalystAndrea EchstenkamperVP of Marketing at HeavybitRami BranitzkyPartner at Sapphire VenturesZach WhiteInvestment Team at 8VCAnkita TiwariPrograms Manager at StartXUri LopatinInvestor at Khosla Ventures
+ 353 more
Also attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology51
Marcie VuPartner at GreycroftMorgan CheathamPartner and Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences at Breyer CapitalEdi DanalacheSenior Associate at Scale Venture PartnersShreyas GargInvestor at IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)Mike DauberGeneral Partner at Amplify PartnersAnis RashidEIR at Serena Ventures
+ 45 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Outlander VC9
Deepika JonnalagaddaAnalyst at Blu Venture InvestorsAbbie StrabalaJunior Partner at Outlander VCJordan KretchmerSenior Partner at Outlander VCLeura CraigManaging Partner at Outlander VCPaige CraigManaging Partner at Outlander VCBlaine DavisGeneral Partner at Mute Ventures
+ 3 more
Also worked at LvlUp Ventures28
Anmol GoelVenture Partner at Arya Ventures Vc, LlcAbdul KhanChief of Staff at Primetime PartnersScott KellyMarketing Partner at 7BC Venture CapitalSakhile TembeContent Specialist at Founders Factory AfricaHenry UkohaScout at Expert DOJOShafaq AbdullahScout at LvlUp Ventures
+ 22 more
Also worked at New York University86
Ankita TiwariPrograms Manager at StartXUri LopatinInvestor at Khosla VenturesDoug BandVenture Partner at AlleyCorpNour ObeidallahHead of Community at AlleyCorpAnne DordaiHead of Portfolio and Platform at Wavemaker Three-Sixty HealthSarah FeingoldBoard Chair & Legal Expert at Chloe Capital
+ 80 more
Also worked at VERISIGN31
Maria CirinoInvestor at .406 VenturesAl GhousInvestor at Notable CapitalMichael MeallingGeneral Partner at Starbridge Venture Capital LlcSean LeachPartner, Investments at Capital One VenturesChris GardnerPartner at Underscore VCLars AlbrightGeneral Partner at Unusual Ventures
+ 25 more