HUNT VALLEY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Grotech Ventures, a leading early-stage investor in high-potential technology companies and one of the longest-established firms in the venture industry, today announced that Lawson DeVries has been promoted to Managing General Partner. The firm’s founder, Frank Adams, remains actively involved in his role serving as Executive Chairman.
Mr. DeVries joined the firm in 2005. Focusing on investments in software and tech-enabled services companies, Lawson has led the firm’s investments in Apkudo, Ceros, CrowdStreet, DirectScale, Optoro, RedPoint Global, ShipMonk, and TaskEasy, among others. He was the first investor in NexGen Storage (acquired by Fusion-io) and has also worked closely with a number of other prior Grotech portfolio companies including LogRhythm (acquired by Thoma Bravo), Logi Analytics (acquired by Marlin Equity), BroadSoft (NASDAQ: BSFT; acquired by Cisco), Collective Intellect (acquired by Oracle) and Aztek Networks (acquired by GenBand).
“Over the last fifteen years, Lawson has demonstrated a strong track record of successful investments and leadership,” said Frank Adams, Grotech’s Founder and Executive Chairman. He added, “Succession planning and developing the next generation of leaders are of the utmost importance to Grotech, and we are excited about this next chapter in our history. Under Lawson’s leadership, we are extremely well positioned to continue partnering with the best and brightest entrepreneurs while driving exceptional returns for our limited partners.”
Prior to joining Grotech Ventures, Lawson was at the Buckingham Research Group after starting his career in the Equity Research department at Deutsche Bank. He has a BA in English Literature from Harvard University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
About Grotech Ventures
Founded in 1984 by Frank Adams, Grotech seeks innovative, early-stage investments across the IT landscape and continues to invest and add value throughout the life cycle of each portfolio company. The firm has a strong combination of financial backing, industry relationships, and deep domain and operational expertise to accelerate growth. With more than $1.4 billion in committed capital, Grotech supports early-stage companies through investments starting at $500,000. For more information, visit www.grotech.com.