Our Team
Gregg Smith, Founder & CEO
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Gregg Smith is the Founder of Evolution VC Partners and the group’s only Investor.
Prior to founding Evolution in 2007, Gregg was the Managing Director of Cowen and Company’s Private Equity Group. Under his leadership, Cowen was the largest U.S. placement agent for PIPEs and Registered Direct offerings, and completed $1.8 billion in 56 private placements during his tenure.
From 2000 through June 2005, Gregg was a Principal in the Private Equity Placements Group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch (formerly Banc of America Securities), where he was the lead product investment banker for all PIPEs and Registered Direct offerings executed by Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML), and closed $1.3 billion+ in private transactions for his issuer clients. Gregg lead BAML to the top of the league tables for PIPEs until his departure to Cowen.
Gregg is the only east coast member of Sand Hill Angels and loves working with start-ups.
In addition to venture investing and operating Evolution, Gregg was the Chief Innovation Officer of Edison Nation (www.EdisonNation.com) from 2011 to late 2018. At Edison, Gregg focused on strategic initiatives and new business development with corporate partners and on acquiring and licensing intellectual property in the consumer and healthcare product markets.
Gregg received a B.S. in Business from Skidmore College and was Treasurer of his class for all four years.
If you have read this far, it would be my pleasure to have a cocktail with you. - Gregg
Robert Harary, Investment Associate
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Robert Harary has been building and supporting companies across the world for 7 years. He’s worked with hundreds of startups from around the world, enabling growth through capital, marketing, and sales support.
Robert began his career at 15 working as Director of Market Development for Research Frontiers. In this position, he developed advertisements featured in Times Square, spearheaded marketing initiatives alongside the US State Department, and ultimately lead the company’s investment division.
At 18, Robert left Research Frontiers to launch GlassHorse Ventures - a global Angel Group of 45+ investors investing into early stage technology ventures. Through GlassHorse, Robert has taken advisory board positions alongside Guy Kawasaki, Leonardo DiCaprio and others.
In addition to his work at Evolution, Robert is the CEO of OneH - The leading online investment platform for venture investors. Robert’s platform works with hundreds of startups and investors from across the globe on a daily basis, helping them grow their businesses with access to capital, enterprise partnerships, service providers, and more.
Robert is a sought after business leader, advisor, and speaker with deep roots in the startup ecosystem.