CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

Avani is a Managing Partner, overseeing the activities of advisory and the Ember Fund. She has years of experience in the startup world in various capacities including as a founder, advisor, mentor and investor. She recently served as Head of the Harvard Business School Startup Studio. In her work with Ember, Harvard Business School and other organizations, Avani has advised over five hundred entrepreneurs. Prior to Ember Co., Avani had a career as a corporate attorney with Arent Fox LLP and Brown Rudnick where she worked on multi-billion dollar mergers. She also founded a men's and women's contemporary clothing label when she was in law school. She holds an MBA from Columbia University, a JD from The Northwestern University School of Law and a BA from Loyola University. Avani volunteers as Co-Leader, Entrepreneurs-In-Training, Barnard College & Girls Scouts.

CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

Matt is a Managing Partner, overseeing the activities of the Ember Fund and advisory. He has recently served as Interim CFO of Steven Alan and was previously Head of Strategy, Business Development and Investments at Dallimore & Co, a boutique advisory business for the specialty retail and apparel sector. Previously, Matt was an Investment Professional at AEA Investors, PJ Solomon and Deutsche Bank. As an investor and advisor, Matt has worked with a broad spectrum of brands and companies including PVH, VF Corp., Victoria Beckham, Citizens of Humanity, Drybar, Tribe Dynamics and JOOR. He holds a BSBA from Georgetown University and recently served as Vice-Chair of the Seeds of Peace Young Leadership Committee.

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN & MANAGING PARTNER

As a leading executive of some of the world’s best-known consumer product companies, Paul Blum has applied his strategic vision, passion for innovation and solid management skills to take iconic brands to new levels. His more than 25 years of experience includes CEO positions with Kenneth Cole Productions, David Yurman Inc., and Juicy Couture. Paul has a deep understanding of design, manufacturing, retailing and wholesaling, bringing an extraordinary level of expertise to each category of the business. Indeed, it’s his combination of finance and merchandising know-how, together with his creative skills as a designer and marketer that set him apart as a global luxury and fashion retail executive.

MANAGING PARTNER

Aaron Battista has served as an executive and senior advisor to many global and innovative brands including Sonos, Reformation, Boll & Branch, Frame Denim, Tea Forte, Dylan’s Candy Bar and MoMA Museum Stores. Previously, Aaron served as the Chief Retail Officer at Kellwood Company where he managed the global expansion of retail brands including Vince, Rebecca Taylor, Adam, BLK DNM and Scotch & Soda. Prior to his work at Kellwood he served as the Vice President of Retail at VF Corp.'s Contemporary Brand Coalition (Seven for all Mankind, Splendid and Ella Moss). He has opened nearly 1,000 stores with a focus on brand experience and team development, including previous roles with Lucky Brand & Liz Claiborne, Swatch, The Body Shop and Gucci.

MANAGING PARTNER

Michael is a seasoned professional with 20+ years of experience in consumer products, healthcare, health-tech, product innovation, clinical and operational processes and procurement. Proven track record of success in revenue generation, sales and marketing, healthcare technology adoption, and product design development/implementation. Michael was the co-founder of IDION, a health-tech company which utilized wearable technology to identify and monitor the condition of patients. Michael is also faculty in the Baruch School of Entrepreneurship where he teaches strategy and management.

CO-FOUNDER OF THE EMBER FUND & MANAGING PARTNER

Luke is co-founder and managing Partner of the Ember Fund. He is also Founder and CEO, Tubergen Ventures, an early stage venture capital fund. He is an active angel investor and advisor in companies including Acorns, Naadam, Viora Lids, Fig Loans, BEGiN, Trade.Co, Prepaid2Cash, Dr. John’s Candies. Luke was previously an Associate at AEA Investors Private Debt Funds and an Associate at PNC Bank in it's Commercial & Corporate Finance team.

CHIEF OF STAFF

Alex manages day-to-day operations, project execution, marketing, and supports business development for the Ember Co. Prior to this role, she was a strategy and operations consultant at Deloitte, where she gained experience in product development, marketing, finance, and operations in the retail industry. Additionally she held roles at top brands such as Shiseido’s NARS Cosmetics and Bloomingdales that sparked her passion for improving the sustainability of product development and business operations. Alex graduated from NYU’s Stern School of Business with a BS in Marketing and Finance.

INVESTMENT PRINCIPAL

Tom is involved in all aspects of fund investments, from sourcing to assisting portfolio companies. Before Ember Co., Tom was at Rent the Runway on the finance and strategy team, where he was responsible for the company's Subscription business and several fundraising efforts. He has held additional roles at Pursuit Advisory, a boutique merchant bank in the media and entertainment sector, and EY in the structured finance advisory practice. Tom has a BA from NYU in Economics and Italian Literature and an MBA from Wharton, where he concentrated in Finance and Innovation.