Karin O'Connor

Karin O'Connor has been an active investor in early- and growth-stage companies for more than 20 years. She currently serves as clinical assistant professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at Kellogg, where she leads the school's growth-stage entrepreneurship initiative and teaches its Growth Strategy Practicum course. She is also a venture partner at Serra Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, and leads the firm's activities in the Chicago market, including recent investments in Hazel Technologies, Built In, Tank Utility and Backstitch. She is also active as an advisor to growth-stage companies, including Aaron Equipment Company, Morey Corporation and LumiSource LLC.

From 2011 until 2014, Karin served as managing director of Hyde Park Angels, Chicago's largest angel investor network. She invested in 15 companies with the group and served as HPA's representative on the boards of portfolio companies FeeFighters, which was acquired by Groupon, Inc., in 2012; and Moxie Jean, which was acquired by Schoola in 2015.

Karin received her BA in Finance from the University of Illinois, where she graduated magna cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her MBA from Kellogg, where she was an F.C. Austin Scholar and was elected to Beta Gamma Sigma. Karin received a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter in 2007.

Education

• Master of Business Administration, 1989, Finance and Management Strategy, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
• Bachelor of Arts, 1982, Finance, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Academic Positions

• Clinical Assistant Professor of Innovation and Entreprenuership, Kellogg Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 2016-present

Professional Experience

• Entrepreneur in Residence, Research Park at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, 2014-present
• Advisory Board Member, Aaron Equipment Company, 2011-present
• President, Perimeter Advisors, 2004-present
• Advisory Board Member, Cadent Resources, Inc, 2003-present
• Director and Investor, Moxie Jean, Inc, 2014-2015
• Member and Managing Director, Hyde Park Angels, 2009-2015
• Board Member, Neighborhood Capital Institute, 2009-2014
• Board Member, FeeFighters, 2010-2012
• Director, Laurus Technologies, 2007-2009
• Director, Trust Company of Illinois, 2004-2009
• Board Member, Anixter Center, 1999-2004
• Consultant, BMO Nesbitt Burns Equity Partners (US), 2000-2001
• Principal and Co-Founder, SBC Equity Partners, 1997-1999
• Vice President and Group Head, ABN AMRO Bank, 1996-1996
• Vice President, LINC Capital Management, 1991-1993
• Senior Consultant, Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), 1989-1990
• Second Vice President, Continental Bank, 1982-1989