Zach Ellis, Jr.

Zach Ellis, Jr. is a venture capital leader dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech startup ecosystem as the Founder and Managing Partner of South Loop Ventures. His firm specifically invests in pre-seed/seed-stage companies led by founders of color, aiming to address systemic inequities in venture capital funding. southloop+4

With a diverse professional background, Zach Ellis, Jr. leverages experience from corporate innovation at PepsiCo, strategy consulting at Humana, and commercializing university research at institutions like The Ohio State University and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. This breadth of experience across various sectors—including biotech, cleantech, agtech, and CPG—informs his investment strategies and advisory roles. southloop+3

A former active duty Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy, Zach Ellis, Jr.'s military career provided foundational leadership and strategic planning skills. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Biotechnology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and an MBA from Pepperdine University, showcasing a strong blend of technical, business, and leadership acumen. southloop+4

Zach is actively involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a Lecturer in Venture Capital at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business and a Kauffman Fellow (Class 30). He also mentors for programs like Techstars and Plug and Play Tech Center, demonstrating a commitment to guiding the next generation of founders and investors. rice+2