Joel Harris
InvestorFounderManaging Partner at Ag Startup Engine Seed · Co-founder at Genvax · Executive Director at Ag Startup Engine
Chicago, Illinois
Writes $25K – $500K checks · typically $25K
FoundedGenvax
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285 people in our graph share verified history with Joel — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
About
Joel Harris is the co-founder and CEO of Genvax Technologies, a company founded in 2021 that develops mRNA and nanoparticle vaccines for livestock, with initial focus on swine applications. He also serves as Executive Director of the Ag Startup Engine, a pre-seed investment group focused on midwest agricultural innovation. Harris previously co-founded Harrisvaccines, an mRNA livestock vaccine company that was acquired by Merck Animal Health in 2015, and has investment experience with venture groups including Vitalize Venture Group. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Iowa.
Co-founder at Genvax
Intro paths
In turn, Joel can intro founders to Genvax's investors below.
Genvax's investors · 3
Co-founders at Genvax
Co-founder at Genvax
Intro paths
In turn, Joel can intro founders to Genvax's investors below.
Genvax's investors · 3
Co-founders at Genvax
Executive Director at Ag Startup Engine
Intro paths
In turn, Joel can intro founders to Ag Startup Engine's investors below.
Ag Startup Engine's investors · 2
Experience
- Genvax Technologies, IncChief Executive Officercurrent2021 — present
- Ag Startup EngineExecutive Directorcurrent2020 — presentAmes, Iowa, United States
- Ag Startup EngineCo Director2017 — 2020
- Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio)Board Membercurrent2022 — presentDes Moines, Iowa, United States
- Charter Oak CreativePresidentcurrent2017 — presentGreater Chicago Area
- Mazen Animal Health - Oral VaccinesBoard Member2021 — 2022
- Vitalize Venture GroupBusiness Development Manager2019 — 2021Chicago, IL
- GlobalVetLINKDirector of Product2017 — 2018Chicago
- MerckAssociate Director, Commercial2015 — 2016
- HarrisvaccinesVice President - Head of Sales and Marketing2013 — 2015Greater Chicago Area
- HarrisvaccinesVice President of Operations2012 — 2013Ames, IA
- HarrisvaccinesChief Information Officer2010 — 2012
- HarrisvaccinesChief Operations Officer2008 — 2010
- ART BiologicsVice President2010 — 2015
Skills & more
+12 more
SalesMicrobiologyPublic RelationsBusiness DevelopmentLife SciencesData AnalysisSocial MediaTeam BuildingMergers & AcquisitionsProduct DevelopmentCell CultureLeadershipLanguages German
- Digital Product Management — Imparture
From Joel's professional profile.
Colleagues at Ag Startup Engine Seed
Network1
Investors connected to Joel in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Joel Harris?
- Joel Harris is the co-founder and CEO of Genvax Technologies, a company founded in 2021 that develops mRNA and nanoparticle vaccines for livestock, with initial focus on swine applications. He also serves as Executive Director of the Ag Startup Engine, a pre-seed investment group focused on midwest agricultural innovation. Harris previously co-founded Harrisvaccines, an mRNA livestock vaccine company that was acquired by Merck Animal Health in 2015, and has investment experience with venture groups including Vitalize Venture Group. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Iowa.
- Where does Joel Harris work?
- Joel Harris is Co-founder of Genvax and Managing Partner at Ag Startup Engine Seed and Executive Director at Ag Startup Engine.
- What check size does Joel Harris write?
- Joel Harris typically writes checks of $25K – $500K.
- What companies did Joel Harris found?
- Joel Harris founded Genvax.
- Where did Joel Harris go to school?
- Joel Harris studied at University of Iowa (Bachelor's degree, Economics); Northwestern University (Post-baccalaureate Certificate, Narrative Communications); Ames High School.
Founder mafias
Northwestern University mafia239
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 232 more
University of Iowa mafia42
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 35 more
Ag Startup Engine mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ag Startup Engine Seed mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended University of Iowa148
+ 142 more
Also attended Northwestern University705
+ 699 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Genvax Technologies, Inc1
Also worked at Ag Startup Engine3
Also worked at Vitalize Venture Group15
+ 9 more
