Michael Lavin
InvestorFounderManaging Partner at Germin8 Ventures · Founder at Matterworks
Chicago, Illinois
Writes $1M – $3M checks · typically $2M
FoundedMatterworks
About
Founder and leader of Germin8 Ventures, overseeing investing, operations and strategy while serving on multiple portfolio boards. Previously an investment banker and consultant at Mesirow Financial, and active in food security and philanthropic initiatives.
Founder at Matterworks
Intro paths
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In turn, Michael can intro founders to Matterworks's investors below.
Matterworks's investors · 5
Co-founders at Matterworks
J(
Jack (J.M.) Geremia
J(
Jack (J.M.) Geremia, PhD
EC
Eric Carlson, PhD
Experience
- Germin8 VenturesManaging Partnercurrent2017 — presentGreater Chicago Area
- OSI GroupVice Chairmancurrent2024 — presentAurora, Illinois, United States
- National 4-H CouncilMember Board of Trustees, Investment and Internal Affairs Committeescurrent2024 — present
- TERRA Food & Ag AcceleratorMentor and Collaborator2017 — 2020San Francisco Bay Area
- TechstarsMentor2018 — 2020
- FamilyFarmedAssociate Board Member - Good Food Accelerator2018 — 2019Greater Chicago Area
- 1871Mentor2017 — 2019Greater Chicago Area
- Mesirow FinancialInvestment Banking Associate2012 — 2017
- Mesirow FinancialAssociate, Mesirow Financial Consulting2011 — 2012Chicago, Illinois
- Alvarez & MarsalRestructuring & Turnaround Advisory Intern2011Chicago
- OSI GroupCorporate Finance and Risk Management Intern2009
- OSI GroupAccounting/Operations Intern2008
Education
- Gies College of Business - University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignM.S., Finance
- Gies College of Business - University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignB.S., Finance
Skills & more
Strategy9Venture Capital18Investment Banking4Food & Agriculture4Entrepreneurship9Start-ups13Financial Modeling8Financial Analysis5Private Equity5Investing4Business Development3Corporate Finance2
+12 more
Board LeadershipBoard GovernanceRestructuringManagement ConsultingDue DiligenceRisk ManagementManufacturingSupply Chain ManagementFood ManufacturingCapital RaisingManagementTeam Leadership- Series 79 and Series 63 Certified — FINRA
From Michael's professional profile.
Colleagues at Germin8 Ventures
Alex Lavin
Advisor & Resident AI Technologist at Germin8 Ventures
Brady Sidwell
Advisor & Resident Ag Executive at Germin8 Ventures
Charles Holmes
Associate at Germin8 Ventures
Danny Ayalon
Advisor & Overseas Affiliate at Germin8 Ventures
Dr. Ashlie L Burkart
Chief Scientific Officer at Germin8 Ventures
Jay Bauer
Advisor & Food Innovation Executive at Germin8 Ventures
Lior Maimon
Advisor & Overseas Affiliate at Germin8 Ventures
Milena Bogdanova Bursztyn
Investor at Germin8 Ventures
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Michael Lavin work?
- Michael Lavin is Managing Partner at Germin8 Ventures and Founder at Matterworks.
- What check size does Michael Lavin write?
- Michael Lavin typically writes checks of $1M – $3M.
- What companies did Michael Lavin found?
- Michael Lavin founded Matterworks.
Same school
Also attended Gies College of Business - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign45
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+ 39 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Techstars425
Brad FeldCo-founder of Foundry and TechstarsRustyAdvisor at Clear VenturesHouman HaghighiPartner, Business & Corporate Development at Menlo VenturesIsabelle StyslingerSenior Associate, Rise of the Rest at RevolutionWesley BarrowPartner at Correlation VenturesJack Bixby LucasGeneral Partner at Lucas Venture Group
+ 419 more
Also worked at 187112
Zimri RodriguezVenture Programs Coordinator at Keyhorse CapitalSara Crown StarVenture Partner at FemHealth VenturesScott HollowayInvestor at Starting LineAndy KofoidPresident, Databricks at Smith Point CapitalEJInvestor at Quorum Capital PartnersJosh TolmanManaging Partner at Mudita Venture
+ 6 more
Also worked at Mesirow Financial4
Also worked at Alvarez & Marsal33
Laura HamiltonInvestor at GGV CapitalPiyush KharbandaGeneral Partner at Vertex Ventures Sea Management Pte. Ltd.Paul SoulisAnalyst at Partech VenturesLisa PollinaVice Chairman, Americas at SC VenturesAurelia TettenbornJunior HR Manager at PICUS CAPITALJonathan RotbardInvestor at CoinFund
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