Christopher Starr, B.B.A., M.B.A., J.D.

Christopher Starr, B.B.A., M.B.A., J.D. is Managing Director and Vice President of Investments at Innovation Philadelphia. He is responsible for organizing and implementing economic stimulus investments, attracting new companies to the region, evaluating potential investment opportunities, performing due diligence, negotiating and structuring investments, and working with management teams to execute their strategies following an investment by Innovation Philadelphia.
 
Most recently, Chris was a principal of Lenfest Capital L.L.C., an affiliate of the Lenfest Group, and a venture capital fund based in Philadelphia that invests nationally in early-stage companies in the media, cable and communications industries as well as in other venture capital and buyout funds. Before joining Lenfest Capital, he was an Associate at the Eastern Technology Fund, a venture fund for promising seed-stage Internet and technology companies in the Mid-Atlantic region and a feeder fund to PA Early stage, an affiliated private equity fund of Safeguard Scientifics.
 
Previously, he was an Associate at the Innovation Factory, a venture fund and business accelerator focusing on the Philadelphia region. He also spent three years in corporate finance with Merck & Co. Before joining Merck, he worked at Dean Witter Discover (now Morgan Stanley Dean Witter).
 
Additionally, Chris worked at the law firm of Stevens & Lee, handling business transactions and deal processing in the corporate group.
 
In 2001, PhillyTech magazine selected him as one of the 30 Under 30 business executives to watch in Philadelphia’s region high tech industry. Also, in February 2002, the Philadelphia Business Journal recognized him as one of the Philadelphia region’s 40 Under 40 young business leaders.
 
He is an active speaker and panelist at various universities, industry groups and seminars, discussing issues affecting emerging growth companies such as venture financing, management and technology. He is also active in the community, participating on the Board of advisors of the Philadelphia Area New Media Association (PANMA), a member of the Investment Advisory Committee of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and an active member of the Eastern Technology Council and Greater Philadelphia Venture Group. Additionally, he is active with the regions leading universities, participating as a judge and a student mentor in the business plan competition at Wharton, Temple University, and Drexel University.
 
Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration (magna cum laude), and a master’s degree in business administration with concentration in strategic management and finance from Temple University School of Business. In addition, he earned his J.D. with a focus in corporate law from Temple University School of Law.
 
Read his LinkedIn profile.