AJ Smith
InvestorPartner at Outlander VC · Venture Partner at LvlUp Ventures
New York, New York, United States
Writes $500K – $2.5M checks
Find your path to AJ Smith
221 people in our graph share verified history with AJ Smith — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Doug BandunlockedAJ Smith: together at New York University (2009–2014)
×7AJ Smith: together at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
AJ Smith: together at LvlUp Ventures
×3AJ Smith: together at VeriSign
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
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
- Who is AJ Smith?
- 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.
- 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.
- Where did AJ Smith go to school?
- AJ Smith studied at New York University (Master’s Degree); New York University (Bachelor's degree); Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Same school
Also attended New York University616
Jonathan RossFounder of Groq; inventor of Google's TPU — now at NvidiaGabriella GiglioHR & Executive Talent at General CatalystAndrea EchstenkamperVP of Marketing at HeavybitRami BranitzkyPartner at Sapphire VenturesZach WhiteInvestment Team at 8VCAnkita TiwariPrograms Manager at StartX
+ 610 more
Also attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology76
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
+ 70 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Outlander VC11
Deepika JonnalagaddaAnalyst at Blu Venture InvestorsJordan KretchmerSenior Partner at Outlander VCLeura CraigManaging Partner at Outlander VCPaige CraigManaging Partner at Outlander VCBlaine DavisGeneral Partner at Mute VenturesHarlem Atwood-FitzgeraldScout at Soma Capital
+ 5 more
Also worked at LvlUp Ventures22
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 DOJOBrian BaconScout at LvlUp Ventures
+ 16 more
Also worked at New York University160
Ankita TiwariPrograms Manager at StartXUri LopatinInvestor at Khosla VenturesDoug BandVenture Partner at AlleyCorpNour ObeidallahHead of Community at AlleyCorpAnisha MustiInvestor at Dorm RoomAnne DordaiHead of Portfolio and Platform at Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health
+ 154 more
Also worked at VERISIGN45
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
+ 39 more