Managing Director: Gavin Christensen
In 2007, Gavin worked in conjunction with co-founders Paul Ahlstrom and Dinesh Patel of vSpring and Brian Cummings of University of Utah to solidify and execute on a seed fund strategy that would help kickstart the development of seed stage companies in the Mountain West. Kickstart officially launched in April, 2008. As Managing Director of Kickstart, Gavin is responsible for all aspects of managing the firm in addition to leading due diligence and investment decisions in conjunction with Kickstart's Investment Committee. In addition to Kickstart, Gavin heads vSpring's New Mexico office where he is focused on funding companies in New Mexico's technology-rich ecosystem.
Gavin joined vSpring as an associate in 2003, left in 2005 to attend the Kellogg School of Management, and in 2007 he rejoined vSpring as a Principal. Gavin's efforts have had a significant impact on vSpring's firm strategy and on the success of many of vSpring's Fund I and II companies. During business school, Gavin worked as a Vertical Strategy Associate for Google's direct sales organization. From 2000 to 2003, Gavin worked as a consultant in Monitor Group's Boston office where he advised clients on a range of strategic, operational, and organizational improvements. Gavin began his career at Fidelity Investments as an investments representative.
Gavin received a Masters of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management and a B.S. in Economics (with Honors), cum laude, from Brigham Young University. Gavin currently serves on the boards Intelisum and Symbiot.