Angel Investor Drops In

GAMBIER, Ohio (March 30, 2009) Roger Novak Jr. '70 will discuss his career as a venture capitalist and angel investor with a focus on cutting-edge technology investments in a lecture on Tuesday, March 31, at 11:10 a.m. in Tomsich Hall 101.

Novak graduated with a degree in psychology and embarked on a career that has included a leadership role in the venture capital industry. He is the co-founder of Novak Biddle Venture Partners in Bethesda, Md., and a general partner. His lecture, "Life is a Series of Ys," is part of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation Lectureship Series.

Novak Biddle seeks information technology companies, relying on a strategy of disciplined early-stage investing including financing people and innovations spun out of government labs and universities. An angel investor typically provides start-up financing and industry knowledge to entrepreneurs in return for equity.

Novak Biddle last year was named by the Washington Post one of the 200 most successful private and public companies, nonprofits, banks, lobbying and law firms headquartered in the Washington, D.C., area. Responding to that honor, Novak said, "Our passion for finding and nurturing start-ups both within the Mid-Atlantic region and outside of it is as robust today as it was when we opened our doors a decade ago. We are squarely focused on building productive companies that employ local people and generate revenues."

Novak Biddle is backed by prestigious investors and its limited partners include Carnegie Mellon University, Indiana University, Kenyon, Purdue University, University of California, University of Minnesota, and University of Virginia, among others.

Novak has served on the boards of many public, private and civic boards. He is a frequent speaker on venture capital, risk, and innovation issues. He has addressed the National Institute of Science and Technology, the World Bank International Finance Corporation, and government agencies including the National Science Foundation. He has appeared often on national news programs. In 2001, he participated in the High Technology Summit at the White House.

The Burton D. Morgan Foundation is based in Hudson, Ohio, and is dedicated to encouraging the free enterprise system. The foundation is the generous supporter of a series of lectures on the Kenyon campus during the academic year.