Sign In

Jon Staenberg

Venture Capitalist and Entrepreneur

Jon S. is the Founder and CEO of Agate Hound Fund, which is recognized as the world's first Fund of Funds specifically for "Search Funds," a high-performing asset class over the last 40 years. He has extensive experience in the investment sector, having participated as a Private Equity and Venture Partner for over three decades. Throughout his career, Jon has managed a portfolio exceeding $400 million and has made over 350 investments as an angel investor.23

Professional Background

  • Agate Hound Fund: Jon has been the Managing Director since March 2023, focusing on raising funds to support Search Funds. The initial target for Agate Hound Fund is approximately $20 million, with a significant portion already secured.12

  • Staenberg Venture Partners: He has served as Managing Partner since May 1997, raising multiple funds and investing in over 400 companies, including notable names like Facebook and Splunk.1

  • Hand of God Wines: As the Founder, Jon operates a boutique winery in Mendoza, Argentina, producing premium wines.1

  • Other Roles: Jon has held various advisory and strategic positions across multiple organizations, including Wunderground Coffee and rocketship.vc, and has been involved in curating exclusive dining experiences for investors and founders.14

Education

Jon graduated from Stanford University, where he earned a B.S. in Economics and Asian Studies, as well as an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.14

Personal Insights

Jon has expressed a deep passion for entrepreneurship and the potential for small businesses to drive economic growth. He aims to launch a new Fund of Funds every two years and is exploring the possibility of expanding Agate Hound Fund's reach beyond North America to include Europe in the future.23

Highlights

Apr 6 · twitter

In business and in life, rich interactions and deeper conversations are rooted in selflessness. It's not the total absence of ego, but rather the ability to step back, put your agenda on the back burner, and engage in the conversation on the other party's terms. https://t.co/rdIyPYexMD

In business and in life, rich interactions and deeper conversations are rooted in selflessness. It's
The Agate Hound Fund stands out as the world's 1st Fund of Funds ...
Nov 30 · youtube.com
Search Fund 101 with Jon Staenberg Founder & Managing Partner ...
Search Fund 101 with Jon Staenberg Founder & Managing Partner ...
Jan 13 · GeekWire
Kitchenbowl acquired by Japanese cooking school as founders head to Uber and Instacart - GeekWire
Jan 13 · GeekWire
Kitchenbowl acquired by Japanese cooking school as founders ... - GeekWire
Kitchenbowl acquired by Japanese cooking school as founders ... - GeekWire

Related Questions

What inspired Jon S. to start the Agate Hound Fund?
How did Jon S. transition from venture capital to search funds?
What are some of the notable companies Jon S. has invested in?
How does Jon S. balance his multiple roles and ventures?
What is the unique approach of the Agate Hound Fund?
Jon Staenberg
Jon Staenberg, photo 1
Jon Staenberg, photo 2
Add to my network

Experience

Managing Director at Agate Hound since March 2023
Marketing Director at Microsoft (1988 - 1995), Business Development at OAC Services, Inc. (since September 2018), Strategic Advisor at Wunderground Coffee (since September 2020)

Education

MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business (1986 - 1988), BS in Economics and Asian Studies from Stanford University (1978 - 1988)

Location

Seattle, Washington, United States