Chris Cusack
Managing Partner, Venture Investing
As Managing Partner of Mach49’s Venture Investing practice, Chris specializes in helping corporations, foundations, and governments drive new growth by engaging with the global technology ecosystem. He advises leading global public and private sector entities on designing and executing new strategies for venture capital, corporate development, and strategic partnerships.
Chris’ journey into the world of venture capital began in startups focused on big societal issues like climate change, healthcare, financial services, and education. He quickly realized that in those highly regulated industries, the typical startup motto of “move fast and break things” didn’t truly apply. Instead, he found that partnerships between startups and corporations were not just helpful, but essential for success. The trick was helping corporations better understand how to work with startups (and vice versa), so they didn’t smother startups in a well-meaning “death hug.” This realization set Chris on a mission to unlock more effective, larger-scale corporate investment strategies to propel the next wave of world-changing ideas.
Prior to joining Mach49, Chris was a Partner at Silicon Foundry — a boutique innovation advisory firm, where he sharpened his knack for bridging the corporate-startup divide. While there, he led advisory relationships with numerous global businesses (including BHP, Delta Air Lines, Deutsche Telekom, UPS, and Whirlpool) to elevate their practices surrounding VC fund creation and operations, partnership strategies, and digital acquisition. During his time at Silicon Foundry, Chris established lasting relationships with clients and solidified his standing in Silicon Valley as a trusted thought leader in the CVC sphere. His time at Village Capital, a global early stage venture fund and accelerator, was also pivotal. There, he spearheaded the development of a local accelerator network and advised top foundations on their impact investment strategies, including MetLife Foundation, Stichting DOEN, Shell Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and Hershey’s.
While Chris spends a lot of time immersed in ventures and disruptive growth, outside the office he loves to explore the great outdoors. Along with his wife and their golden retriever Tate (lovingly known as Potato), Chris can often be found exploring the mountains around Seattle, WA, playing golf, or becoming a homemade brewmaster when the weather turns cold.
Chris holds a BS in economics and a BA in public policy from Duke University.
Chris’ journey into the world of venture capital began in startups focused on big societal issues like climate change, healthcare, financial services, and education. He quickly realized that in those highly regulated industries, the typical startup motto of “move fast and break things” didn’t truly apply. Instead, he found that partnerships between startups and corporations were not just helpful, but essential for success. The trick was helping corporations better understand how to work with startups (and vice versa), so they didn’t smother startups in a well-meaning “death hug.” This realization set Chris on a mission to unlock more effective, larger-scale corporate investment strategies to propel the next wave of world-changing ideas.
Prior to joining Mach49, Chris was a Partner at Silicon Foundry — a boutique innovation advisory firm, where he sharpened his knack for bridging the corporate-startup divide. While there, he led advisory relationships with numerous global businesses (including BHP, Delta Air Lines, Deutsche Telekom, UPS, and Whirlpool) to elevate their practices surrounding VC fund creation and operations, partnership strategies, and digital acquisition. During his time at Silicon Foundry, Chris established lasting relationships with clients and solidified his standing in Silicon Valley as a trusted thought leader in the CVC sphere. His time at Village Capital, a global early stage venture fund and accelerator, was also pivotal. There, he spearheaded the development of a local accelerator network and advised top foundations on their impact investment strategies, including MetLife Foundation, Stichting DOEN, Shell Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and Hershey’s.
While Chris spends a lot of time immersed in ventures and disruptive growth, outside the office he loves to explore the great outdoors. Along with his wife and their golden retriever Tate (lovingly known as Potato), Chris can often be found exploring the mountains around Seattle, WA, playing golf, or becoming a homemade brewmaster when the weather turns cold.
Chris holds a BS in economics and a BA in public policy from Duke University.
Chris Cusack
Managing Partner, Venture Investing
As Managing Partner of Mach49’s Venture Investing practice, Chris specializes in helping corporations, foundations, and governments drive new growth by engaging with the global technology ecosystem. He advises leading global public and private sector entities on designing and executing new strategies for venture capital, corporate development, and strategic partnerships.
Chris’ journey into the world of venture capital began in startups focused on big societal issues like climate change, healthcare, financial services, and education. He quickly realized that in those highly regulated industries, the typical startup motto of “move fast and break things” didn’t truly apply. Instead, he found that partnerships between startups and corporations were not just helpful, but essential for success. The trick was helping corporations better understand how to work with startups (and vice versa), so they didn’t smother startups in a well-meaning “death hug.” This realization set Chris on a mission to unlock more effective, larger-scale corporate investment strategies to propel the next wave of world-changing ideas.
Prior to joining Mach49, Chris was a Partner at Silicon Foundry — a boutique innovation advisory firm, where he sharpened his knack for bridging the corporate-startup divide. While there, he led advisory relationships with numerous global businesses (including BHP, Delta Air Lines, Deutsche Telekom, UPS, and Whirlpool) to elevate their practices surrounding VC fund creation and operations, partnership strategies, and digital acquisition. During his time at Silicon Foundry, Chris established lasting relationships with clients and solidified his standing in Silicon Valley as a trusted thought leader in the CVC sphere. His time at Village Capital, a global early stage venture fund and accelerator, was also pivotal. There, he spearheaded the development of a local accelerator network and advised top foundations on their impact investment strategies, including MetLife Foundation, Stichting DOEN, Shell Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and Hershey’s.
While Chris spends a lot of time immersed in ventures and disruptive growth, outside the office he loves to explore the great outdoors. Along with his wife and their golden retriever Tate (lovingly known as Potato), Chris can often be found exploring the mountains around Seattle, WA, playing golf, or becoming a homemade brewmaster when the weather turns cold.
Chris holds a BS in economics and a BA in public policy from Duke University.
Chris’ journey into the world of venture capital began in startups focused on big societal issues like climate change, healthcare, financial services, and education. He quickly realized that in those highly regulated industries, the typical startup motto of “move fast and break things” didn’t truly apply. Instead, he found that partnerships between startups and corporations were not just helpful, but essential for success. The trick was helping corporations better understand how to work with startups (and vice versa), so they didn’t smother startups in a well-meaning “death hug.” This realization set Chris on a mission to unlock more effective, larger-scale corporate investment strategies to propel the next wave of world-changing ideas.
Prior to joining Mach49, Chris was a Partner at Silicon Foundry — a boutique innovation advisory firm, where he sharpened his knack for bridging the corporate-startup divide. While there, he led advisory relationships with numerous global businesses (including BHP, Delta Air Lines, Deutsche Telekom, UPS, and Whirlpool) to elevate their practices surrounding VC fund creation and operations, partnership strategies, and digital acquisition. During his time at Silicon Foundry, Chris established lasting relationships with clients and solidified his standing in Silicon Valley as a trusted thought leader in the CVC sphere. His time at Village Capital, a global early stage venture fund and accelerator, was also pivotal. There, he spearheaded the development of a local accelerator network and advised top foundations on their impact investment strategies, including MetLife Foundation, Stichting DOEN, Shell Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and Hershey’s.
While Chris spends a lot of time immersed in ventures and disruptive growth, outside the office he loves to explore the great outdoors. Along with his wife and their golden retriever Tate (lovingly known as Potato), Chris can often be found exploring the mountains around Seattle, WA, playing golf, or becoming a homemade brewmaster when the weather turns cold.
Chris holds a BS in economics and a BA in public policy from Duke University.
