James Norman
InvestorFounderManaging Partner at Black Operator · CEO, Co-founder at Pilotly
Oakland, California, United States
Writes $100K – $5M checks
FoundedPilotly
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Ask Clayton Bryan to introduce you to James
You →Clayton · together at Transparent Collective (2016–2022) →James
Ask Jamie Chen to introduce you to James
You →Jamie · 3 people · together at Black Operator →James
Ask Sam Okafor to introduce you to James
You →Sam · together at 500 Global Batch 16 →James
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About
Co-founder of Black Operator Ventures who launched the fund in 2021 alongside Sean Green, drawing on his experience as a Black founder.
Invests in
AI & Machine LearningFintechImpact & Social GoodPropTechSaaS
CEO, Co-founder at Pilotly
Intro paths
In turn, James can intro founders to Pilotly's investors below.
Pilotly's investors · 9
Co-founders at Pilotly

Experience
- Black Operator VenturesManaging Partnercurrent2021 — presentOakland, California, United States
- PilotlyCEOcurrent2014 — presentOakland, CA
- Transparent CollectiveChairmancurrent2016 — presentOakland, CA
- GroupFlixFounder2013 — 2014Oakland, CA
- Ubi VideoChairman of the Board2013San Francisco Bay Area
- Ubi VideoFounder / CEO2008 — 2013Detroit, MI
- F1RST Motoring ApparelCo-Founder / Chairman of the Board2010 — 2012Detroit, MI
- Mitsubishi MotorsWeb Initiatives2009 — 2010
- Mitsubishi MotorsProduct Planning2005 — 2008
- Shift Marketing SolutionsCo-Founder2003 — 2006
- MJH sound.comCo-Founder1996 — 2001Lansing, MI
Skills & more
+2 more
Digital FabricationAutomotive DesignFrom James's professional profile.
Investments
Per curated public sources.
Colleagues at Black Operator
Network2
Investors connected to James in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is James Norman?
- Co-founder of Black Operator Ventures who launched the fund in 2021 alongside Sean Green, drawing on his experience as a Black founder.
- Where does James Norman work?
- James Norman is CEO, Co-founder of Pilotly and Managing Partner at Black Operator.
- What does James Norman invest in?
- James Norman invests in AI & Machine Learning, Fintech, Impact & Social Good, PropTech, SaaS.
- What check size does James Norman write?
- James Norman typically writes checks of $100K – $5M.
- What companies did James Norman found?
- James Norman founded Pilotly.
- What companies has James Norman invested in?
- Investments tracked here include Livegistics, Mansa, Stimulus, Whose Your Landlord.
- Where did James Norman go to school?
- James Norman studied at University of Michigan (BSE, Electrical Engineering).
Founder mafias
500 Global mafia789
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
University of Michigan mafia453
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Black Operator mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended University of Michigan1,025
+ 1,019 more































