Larry Scheinfeld is an entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist whose impact is far-reaching. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany, Larry went on to become a mogul in the business world. He currently serves as Co-Founder and Partner at the venture capital firm Zelkova Ventures, which invests in new technology startups. Founded in 2008, Zelkova Ventures helps new companies hone their business plans before earning revenue. More than half of their clients are New York City-based.
As a business investor, Larry Scheinfeld is mostly motivated by companies that bring forth the newest technological trends. Specifically, his work focuses on artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and innovations that improve everyday gadgets with technology.
Customer acquisition and funding strategies are Zelkova Ventures’ two main objectives for its clients. Larry Scheinfeld uses his extensive business background to work with founders closely as they formulate their strategies and find their first customers. Larry has helped grow Zelkova at a rapid pace. In 2012 alone, the company raised $175 million from 37 portfolio businesses. Some of the most notable startups Zelkova has invested in include: Klout, Fab, JIBE, Rabbit, GameChanger, SpaceMonkey, COLOURlovers, and more. Many of them are worth several hundred million dollars today.
Yet, Larry Scheinfeld’s background goes beyond advising and strategy. Prior to his time at Zelkova Ventures, Larry enjoyed a successful career as a financial advisor, specializing in hedge funds, asset funds, and private equity. Larry’s expertise in the field led him to become principal, financial advisor, and a member of the Board of Directors at the Quellos Group. The Quellos group focused on financial advisory, investment management, and brokerage services. While there, Larry Scheinfeld helped to open the New York City office as it became one of the largest fund of funds (FOF) structure in the world. Thanks to Larry’s contributions, Quellos has expanded beyond New York City to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London. Larry was at Quellos until its purchase by Blackrock in 2007.
In addition to being an advisor and investor, Larry Scheinfeld is an advocate for charitable causes. He donates to many nonprofit organizations, but one that consistently stands out in his portfolio is the Bauchmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation. Since 1995, the BSDPF has primarily focused its efforts on finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease, raising over $35 million in the process to fund 235 research grants relating to genetics, drug discovery, and overlap between dystonia and Parkinson. In 2015, BSDPF will channel its focus away from its regular grant making program and instead toward its collaborative research alliance with The Michael J. Fox Foundation to strengthen public awareness and recognize important discoveries.
Larry Scheinfeld also contributes to organizations such as the Starlight Foundation, a non-profit organization that uses a family-centered approach to improve the lives of children and families all around the world. Larry sits on the Board of Directors at the foundation, whose programs span a whole range of services from health improvements and pediatric care to entertainment units and technological donations. Their goal is to comprehensively better the lives of terminally ill or seriously ill children patients. After 30 years, Starlight has become one of the world’s leading charities for millions of children every single year. They have received the “Top Rated Nonprofit” award between 2011 and 2014, the 2014 BritWeek UKTI Business Innovation Award, and the Child Life Council’s 2010 “Spirit of Giving” award. In addition, the foundation has been able to expand its services to be online-based, allowing its members to connect from all over the world.
Additionally, Larry Scheinfeld plays a critical role on the board of the Forman School, a premier preparatory boarding and day school for students with learning differences. They are a Connecticut-based institution that helps students with ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Forman takes a holistic approach to ensure that every student develops a quality education and the self-confidence necessary to tackle life’s toughest challenges. Forman takes advantage of innovative learning strategies and uses a research-driven approach to better students’ lives both in and outside the classroom. With Larry’s help, the Forman School has been able to maintain a 100% college acceptance rate.
Other nonprofits have been beneficiaries of Larry’s philanthropic contributions, including: the Parkinson’s Foundation, Cornell University, and the Eagle Hill School, among others.
When Larry Scheinfeld is not in the office or a board room, he enjoys leisure activities in fitness training, golf, and other sporting activities. He also enjoys partaking in men’s fashion, especially top quality watches and tailored suits. Larry is also an active patron of the arts and advocate for mental and physical health. He lives in Palm Beach, Florida with his wife and three kids.