team

Partners

To date, Columbia Capital has invested in over 120 companies, ranging from small, early-stage investments to multibillion-dollar public companies. Columbia Capital's 10 partners have worked together, on average, for over a decade.

We share a diversity of industry experience and expertise that is hard to match, including finance, law, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, engineering, operations, and marketing. Outside of our capabilities and resources, the Columbia Capital team is differentiated by its willingness and ability to partner with entrepreneurs to actively assist them in the creation and execution of their business strategies.

Jim Fleming Partner

Jim joined Columbia Capital in 1994 and focuses on investments in communication services. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of NuVox Communications, Presidio, and The Tennis Channel, and has been actively involved with MindSHIFT Technologies, Mobile Satellite Ventures, and XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR). He previously held board seats with ICG Communications (acquired by Level 3 Communications), Taqua (acquired by Tekelec), WCS Wireless (acquired by NextWave Wireless), and WNP Communications (acquired by XO Communications), and has worked closely with a number of former Columbia portfolio companies including Digital Television Services (acquired by Pegasus Communications) and NeoWorld (acquired by Nextel). Prior to joining Columbia Capital, he served as president of Prime Cellular, an entity involved in the operation of rural cellular markets. Jim is a former member of the audit department of Price Waterhouse. He received his B.A. from Stanford University.

Arun Gupta Partner

Arun joined Columbia Capital in 2000 and focuses on Internet/media, wireless, and enterprise technology/services opportunities. Arun is on the Board of Directors or actively involved with Approva, Avail Media, Brickstream, Devas Multimedia, Envysion, Freewebs, Gizmoz, InnerWireless, Intelliworks, Millenial Media, and Netuitive. Arun was also involved with former Columbia portfolio companies Adjoined Consulting (acquired by Kanbay International, Inc.), Riptech (acquired by Symantec Corporation), and Softek Storage Holdings (acquired by IBM). Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Arun was at Carlyle Venture Partners focused on software and Internet investments. Earlier, Arun held positions in Arthur D. Little's telecom and technology consulting practice and shared responsibility for establishing ADL's operation in India. Arun received a B.S. degree with Distinction in Electrical Engineering and an M.S. degree in Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford University and received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Patrick Hendy Partner

Patrick joined Columbia Capital in 2002 and focuses on communication services and media investments. Patrick is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Mobi PCS and Ruckus Network and is actively involved with Columbia's portfolio of communication services providers including Hoak Media, Presidio, The Tennis Channel, and SiTV. Patrick has also worked closely with a number of former Columbia portfolio companies including WCS Wireless (acquired by Nextwave Wireless) and XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR). Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Patrick served as a senior analyst in the Global Telecommunications and Media Investment Banking Group of J.P. Morgan in New York, structuring public and private equity and debt financings as well as merger and acquisition transactions. Prior to J.P. Morgan, he served as a financial analyst in the Debt Capital Markets Group of Wachovia Securities. Patrick received his B.A. in Economics from Vanderbilt University.

Phil Herget Partner

Phil joined Columbia Capital in 1992 and focuses primarily on media and communications investments, both services and technologies. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Avail Media, Hatteras Networks, Hillcrest Laboratories, and Imagine Communications. Former Columbia portfolio companies that Phil managed include Altiga Networks (acquired by Cisco Systems), Call Technologies (acquired by 3Com), Columbia Spectrum Management (acquired by P-Com), NMP (acquired by AppNet / Commerce One), Ocular Networks (acquired by Tellabs), Riverbed Technologies (acquired by Aether Systems), Saville Systems (NASDAQ: SAVLY subsequently acquired by ADC Communications), Taqua (acquired by Tekelec), Telular (NASDAQ: WRLS), and Torrent Networking Technologies (acquired by Ericsson). In 1993, Phil joined Telular Corporation as its Chief Financial Officer where he led the company through an initial public offering, returning to Columbia Capital in 1994. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, he served in various financial management positions for Energy Service Company, Energy Insurance International, Marsh & McLennan, and Lloyd's of London broker C.T. Bowring & Co. in London, England. Phil received his B.A. from the University of Virginia and his M.B.A. from Kenan-Flager Business School at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Harry Hopper Partner

Harry joined Columbia Capital in 1994 and focuses primarily on communication services investments. Harry is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Cellular One of East Texas, Mobi PCS, Open Mobile, and Revol Wireless. His past board seats include Affinity Internet (acquired by Hostway), Broadslate Networks (acquired by DSL.net), Columbia Spectrum Management (acquired by P-Com), Digital Television Services (acquired by Pegasus Communications), DSL.net (NASDAQ: DSLN), Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX), MetroPCS Communications (NYSE: PCS), Pegasus Communications (NASDAQ: PGTV), Pihana Pacific (acquired by Equinix), and Xemod (acquired by Sirenza Microdevices). Previously, Harry served as President of The Columbia Group, Inc., Columbia Capital's former affiliate investment banking arm. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Harry served as Executive Vice President of Bachtel Cellular Liquidity, LP, a wireless investment fund. Prior to Bachtel, he was a founder of Sky Broadcasting Corporation and AFSC Corporation, and, earlier, a corporate finance and transaction lawyer for Cummings & Lockwood and Union Carbide. Harry received his B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his J.D. degree from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley.

Matt Newton Partner

Matt joined Columbia Capital in 1996 and focuses on investments in the wireless communications and IT services sectors. Matt is currently a member of the Board of Directors of CCTV Wireless, ExteNet Systems, MindSHIFT Technologies, Optasite, Revol Wireless, and TriStar Investors. Previous investments that Matt has led or co-led on behalf of Columbia Capital include Adjoined Technologies (acquired by Kanbay International), Affinity Internet (acquired by Hostway), WCS Wireless (acquired by Nextwave Wireless), and WNP Communications (acquired by XO Communications). Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Matt spent several years in the corporate finance department of Dean Witter Reynolds where he focused on private market financings for industrial manufacturing and services companies. Matt received his B.S. in Business Administration from Washington & Lee University.

Jeff Patterson Partner

Jeff joined Columbia Capital in 1996 and focuses primarily on media and communication services investments. Jeff is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Baja Broadband, Hoak Media, Legendary Pictures, Rapid Communications, Ripe Digital Entertainment, SiTV, and Turbine and is actively involved with NuVox Communications and The Tennis Channel. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Taqua (acquired by Tekelec) and has worked closely with a number of former Columbia portfolio companies including Call Technologies (acquired by 3Com), Digital Television Services (acquired by Pegasus Communications), DSL.net (NASDAQ: DSLN), and XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR). Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Jeff worked at First National Bank of Boston in the Media & Communications team in Boston and in the European Cable & Telephony team in London. Jeff received his B.A. from Bowdoin College and his M.B.A. from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

John Siegel Partner

John joined Columbia Capital in 2000 and focuses on communication services investments. John is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Envysion, GTS CE, MegaPath, MindSHIFT Technologies, euNetworks, Presidio, Teliris, and Zayo Bandwidth. He is also actively involved in MetroPCS Communications and was previously involved with Mobile Satellite Ventures. John served on the board of ICG Communications prior to its sale to Level 3 Communications and represented Columbia Capital's interests in Mpower Communications prior to its sale to TelePacific. He was also a board member of FDN Communications prior to its merger with NuVox Communications. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, John was a member of Morgan Stanley's Private Equity Group, where he specialized in investments in the telecommunications/data services arena. He has held positions with Fidelity Ventures, the private equity division of Fidelity Investments, and the Investment Banking Division of Alex. Brown & Sons, Incorporated. John received his B.A. from Princeton University and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Investment Professionals

 

Anthony Alapatt Associate

Anthony joined Columbia Capital in 2009 and focuses on communication services and media investments. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Anthony was a financial analyst at Barclays Capital in New York, in its Global Media & Telecom Investment Banking Group. Anthony received his B.S., cum laude from New York University, where he double-majored in Accounting and Finance.

Ankit Bishnoi Associate

Ankit joined Columbia Capital in 2008 and focuses on communication services and enterprise technology investments. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Ankit was a financial analyst at Citigroup in New York, in its Global Media & Telecom Investment Banking Group. Ankit received his B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University, where he double-majored in Accounting and Finance.

Jason Booma Principal

Jason joined Columbia Capital in 2008 and focuses on investments in the communication services and wireless sectors. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Jason was with Centennial Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund. There, he was involved with Centennial's services and technology investments in Zayo Bandwidth, Compellent Technologies (NYSE: CML), New Global Telecom, Market Force Information, TensorComm, and ManiaTV. Prior to Centennial, Jason was a product manager for Level 3 Communications. Jason started his career at QualNet (acquired by Verio), a start-up provider of co-location and connectivity services for mid-sized enterprises. Jason received a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management.

Sanjay Chakrabarty Venture Partner

Sanjay founded Columbia Capital India Advisors Pvt. Ltd. ("Columbia Capital India") in 2009 and serves as its President. Columbia Capital India is an independent company providing advisory services in India to various parties, including Columbia. Prior to that, Sanjay was a Venture Partner with Columbia Capital LLC since 2007 and focused on India and South-East Asia investments across telecommunication, media and technology sectors. He has been a part of the investment team for EU Networks, and has been involved with a number of Columbia Capital's portfolio companies including Devas Media, BVT and Gizmoz. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Sanjay was the Founder & CEO of MobiApps, a company focusing on satellite communications. He built operations across Washington, Singapore and Bangalore, and products & services including patented RF chipsets. In addition to acquiring Fortune 100 customers worldwide, he created a joint venture with TATA Auto Components Ltd, a group company of the largest business house in India. He exited MobiApps by selling to an US publicly traded company. Prior to founding MobiApps, Sanjay was a senior manager in the global management consulting firm Arthur D. Little (ADL), based in Washington DC, Mumbai and Singapore offices. He worked with leading clients in the US and Asia-Pacific across various strategic, financial, regulatory and technology issues. Sanjay received his B.S degree in Computer Engineering and Mathematics from Pennsylvania State University system, and his M.B.A degree from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a Danforth fellow.

Kevin Keung Associate

Kevin joined Columbia Capital in 2009 and focuses on communication services and enterprise technology investments. He is actively involved with Columbia's portfolio of communication services providers including Revol Wireless, Turbine, Megapath and Teliris. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Kevin served as a financial analyst in the Global Media & Telecom Investment Banking Group at Citi in New York. Kevin received his B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth College.

Monish Kundra Venture Partner

Monish joined Columbia capital in 2008 and focuses on investments in the wireless communications industry, including investments in the spectrum and satellite communications sectors. He is actively involved with a number of Columbia Capital's portfolio companies including CCTV Wireless and SkyTerra. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Monish was Senior VP of Corporate Development for Mobile Satellite Ventures where he was responsible for leading the company's strategic transactions, spectrum coordination and partnerships, including a partnership with Inmarsat Global Ltd. Prior to Columbia Capital, Monish has held several positions in private equity, company operations and investment banking including as managing director and one of the founders of Headwaters MB (a Denver-based merchant bank), CFO of a venture-backed VPN services company, and an early member of communications group at Madison Dearborn Partners. Monish holds a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. degree from the Wharton School.

Jay Markley Venture Partner

Jay joined Columbia Capital in 1996 and focuses on investments in the wireless and broadband sectors. Jay is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Antares Advanced Test Technologies, Broadsoft, Millenial Media, and Telecom Transport Management. He is actively involved with Hillcrest Laboratories and InnerWireless. Former portfolio companies that Jay worked closely with include Altiga Networks (acquired by Cisco Systems), Ocular Networks (acquired by Tellabs), Softek Storage Solutions (acquired by IBM), Taqua (acquired by Tekelec), Torrent Networking Technologies (acquired by Ericsson), and WNP Communications (acquired by XO Communications). Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Jay served at the Federal Communications Commission where he developed U.S. Government wireless communications and spectrum auction policy. He also held positions in corporate finance for Kidder, Peabody & Co. in both New York City and Hong Kong. Jay received his B.A. from Washington & Lee University and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

David P. Mixer Venture Partner

Dave began investing in early stage technology companies over 18 years ago and is a founding partner of Columbia Capital. Dave was a General Partner of Columbia II and continues to be involved with Columbia Capital as a Venture Partner. Dave has been an active investor in emerging markets and sits on the investment committee of two China funds, Hidden Jade China Fund, LP and China Vision SME, LP. In addition, Dave is a lead investor and board member of Ru-Net Holdings, a Russian based investment company. Dave founded Rex Capital, a regionally focused private equity firm, where he served as the general principal until 2002. Dave represented Rex Capital on the boards of Co-nect, Inc. and Sunflower Technologies. Dave was instrumental in merging Rex Capital with Point Judith Capital, a Village Ventures affiliate. Earlier in his career, Dave worked at the Providence Journal, where he was responsible for corporate development and was President of their telecommunications division, and at AT&T where he was responsible for various corporate planning assignments. Dave graduated from Union College with a BA degree and earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Gopi Vaddi Principal

Gopi joined Columbia Capital in 2007 and focuses primarily on communications and information technology - enabled services investments in US and more broadly growth equity investments in the communications, media and technology sectors in India. He is actively involved with Antares Advanced Test Technologies, Enpirion, Hatteras Networks, Teranetics, Tilera, and WiNetworks. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Gopi was with the Investment Banking group at Bear Stearns in New York, focusing on Technology M&A. Prior to Bear Stearns, Gopi was a Project Leader and Senior Engineer within the Product Development team at Avici Systems, which brought the industry's first tera-bit speed router to the market and displaced Cisco Systems in AT&T's core network. Gopi also had prior research, engineering and business engagements with Sprint Corporation (doing research on their Integrated-On-Demand Network), Cisco Systems (developing network solutions), and Safeguard Scientifics (performing portfolio research). Gopi holds Masters and Bachelors degrees in Electrical Engineering, and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business where he graduated as a Palmer Scholar.

Operating Professionals

 

Don Doering Partner

Don joined Columbia Capital in 1999 and is responsible for managing the firm's operations. Don is also responsible for administrating Columbia's funds and maintaining relationships with our limited partners. Don has more than 25 years of successful experience managing the financial and operational functions of both public and private companies. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Don was the Chief Financial Officer of Digital Television Services and Sterling Cellular, two former Columbia portfolio companies. Don also served in various financial and operational management positions for Contel Cellular, a subsidiary of Contel Corporation, and was a member of the audit department of Arthur Andersen, LLP. Don received his B.S. in accounting from the McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia.