Maroon Venture Partners Fund
About the program · 2 linked sources
Maroon Venture Partners Fund is a for-profit venture capital fund investing exclusively in early-stage companies linked to UMass Amherst. Fund I (launched 2017, ~$5M, 13 companies). Fund II (launched Jan 2024, $3.2M commitments toward $5M target). Typical checks $100K-$300K, often initial outside equity. Investment Committee: Charlie Johnson (Managing Director), John Brooks, Nancy Confrey, Mike Masterson, Ameeta Soni, Steve Willis. Portfolio includes Myrias Optics (meta-optics), 88 Acres (allergen-free foods), Aclarity Inc. (PFAS water purification). Not controlled by UMass Amherst but coordinated with Berthiaume Center, TTO, and IALS.
Also known as: Maroon Venture Partners, Maroon VP
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-25); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$300,000
Equity
Equity taken
Application
Rolling
Multi Institution
Last activity
2026-06-25
Medium confidence
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Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Maroon Venture Partners Fund at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2 sources
Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship
--- title: "Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship" source_url: https://www.umass.edu/entrepreneurship/ capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- The Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management is the central hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Executive Director Gregory Thomas. The Center provides start-up competitions (Innovation Challenge up to $65K, Minute Pitch $2.5K), incubator space at Bartlett Hall 301 (free for all UMass students), boot camps, mentorship, and year-round programming. Supports Entrepreneurship Club and Social Entrepreneurship Club. Open to UMass students and GOLD alumni (graduated within last decade). Partners with businesses, alumni, and regional organizations. Contact: berthiaume@umass.edu.
Read on University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Maroon Venture Partners Fund
--- title: "Maroon Venture Partners Fund" source_url: http://maroonventurepartners.com/ capture_date: 2026-06-25 source_type: web --- Maroon Venture Partners Fund is a for-profit VC fund investing exclusively in early-stage companies linked to UMass Amherst. Fund I (2017, ~$5M, 13 companies). Fund II (launched Jan 2024, $3.2M commitments toward $5M target). Typical check: $100K-$300K, often initial outside equity. Investment Committee: Charlie Johnson (Managing Director), John Brooks, Nancy Confrey, Mike Masterson, Ameeta Soni, Steve Willis. Portfolio: Myrias Optics, 88 Acres, Aclarity Inc. Not controlled by UMass but coordinated with Berthiaume Center, TTO, IALS. Student engagement in due diligence. Deal flow from Berthiaume Center, TTO, IALS, Office of Research and Engagement.
Read on University of Massachusetts Amherst