Ben Lee
InvestorManaging Director, Circleup Funds at CircleUp
San Francisco, California, United States
Writes $1M – $5M checks
About
Ben combines a Stanford physics background with a quantitative, machine‑learning approach screening 1M+ brands to serve the missing middle, finding spiky, differentiated consumer brands like Liquid I.V., sold to Unilever.
Invests in
AgTechConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechRetail Tech
Experience
- Rose Park AdvisorsManaging Directorcurrent2023 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- Hum Nutrition IncBoard Membercurrent2017 — present
- Rowdy EnergyBoard Membercurrent2021 — present
- nutpodsBoard Observercurrent2021 — present
- Cali'flour FoodsBoard Observercurrent2019 — present
- CircleUpManaging Director, CircleUp Funds2016 — 2023
- CircleUpInvestment Committee, CircleUp Funds2014 — 2023
- CircleUpDirector of Business Development2012 — 2016San Francisco Bay Area
- ART OF SPORTBoard Member2020 — 2022
- 4505 MeatsBoard Member2017 — 2022
- Liquid I.V.Board Member2018 — 2020
- JH PartnersPrivate Equity Associate2006 — 2010San Francisco Bay Area
- Thomas Weisel PartnersInvestment Banking Analyst2004 — 2006San Francisco Bay Area
Education
- Harvard Business SchoolMBA2010 — 2012
- Stanford UniversityBS, Physics2000 — 2004
- Brentwood School, UK1999 — 2000
- The Lawrenceville School1995 — 1999
Skills & more
Venture Capital7Private Equity24Financial Modeling4Entrepreneurship18Due Diligence3Valuation2Start-ups10Financial Analysis2Investment Banking5Corporate FinanceEmerging Markets1Mergers & Acquisitions2
+4 more
LBOBusiness StrategyStrategyStrategic PlanningFrom Ben's professional profile.
Colleagues at CircleUp
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Ben Lee work?
- Ben Lee is Managing Director, Circleup Funds at CircleUp.
- What does Ben Lee invest in?
- Ben Lee invests in AgTech, Consumer, Direct to Consumer, E-commerce, FoodTech, Retail Tech.
- What check size does Ben Lee write?
- Ben Lee typically writes checks of $1M – $5M.
Same school
Also attended Harvard Business School1,969
Brad GerstnerFounder & CEO of Altimeter Capital; architect of Invest America; BG2 co-hostAileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesJim BreyerFounder & CEO of Breyer CapitalTim DraperFounder of Draper AssociatesMike Maples JrCo-founding Partner at FloodgateMamoon HamidPartner at Kleiner Perkins
+ 1,963 more
Also attended Stanford University2,000
Peter ThielCo-founder & Partner at Founders FundReid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockDavid SacksCo-founder & General Partner at Craft Ventures; PCAST co-chair; former White House AI & crypto czarKeith RaboisManaging Director at Khosla VenturesGarry TanPresident & CEO of Y CombinatorAlfred LinPartner at Sequoia Capital
+ 1,994 more
