Erik Brown

Aspire Capital principal Erik Brown began pursuing a career in the financial sector in 1997 after earning a bachelor's degree in finance from Michigan State University (MSU). He served two years as a financial consultant with the Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Private Client Group and subsequently worked four years as principal of CGI Capital, where he helped raise $30 million in venture and operating capital. Erik Brown later served as vice president of Fusion Capital Partners for seven years, during which time he completed dozens of investments totaling $500 million. He has been affiliated with Aspire Capital Partners, LLC, since 2010.

As principal of the Chicago, Illinois-based long-only investment fund, Mr. Brown directs investments in publicly traded technology and life sciences companies. This involves conducting due diligence, structuring investments, and negotiating terms and private placements. From there, he works with the executives and management teams of these companies to help realize growth potential.

Aside from his role as principal of the firm, he serves as an advisory board member for the MSU Foundation and MSU Financial Markets Institute, and is also a former member of the Chicago Public Venture Capital Fund's Leadership Council. In addition to his BA in finance, he holds an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.