Managing Partner, SVB Capital Funds
Aaron Gershenberg is a founder of Silicon Valley Bank’s fund of funds and direct investment group, SVB Capital. Aaron joined SVB in 1996. Under his leadership, the group has over $1.5 billion under management across funds of funds, direct funds and separate accounts. Aaron’s expertise is evaluating venture capital funds and growth funds globally. He has published numerous articles on the health and future of venture capital and is frequently invited to speak as well as participate on panels across the globe.
Prior to joining SVB, Aaron oversaw the opening of FirstCorp’s Northern California office, a venture leasing company focused on early stage companies. In this capacity, Aaron was responsible for providing venture financing to more than 50 startup technology companies. Previously, Aaron was part of the investment banking group for the Union Bank of California and the real estate consulting practice of Deloitee & Touche.
Aaron earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and African studies from Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in finance from John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Aaron combines his passion for philanthropy with his love of the outdoors. In 1984 he joined 50 students biking from Boston to Los Angeles raising money for Oxfam America. In 1993, Aaron was a founder of the Hearst Castle Best Buddies Ride, a 100 mile ride from Carmel to the Hearst Castle benefiting the intellectually and developmentally disabled. This year in his 9th consecutive year of participation, his SVB team had 245 members and raised over $600,000. Aaron serves as a board member of Best Buddies International.
Aaron earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He speaks frequently at industry events, including recent appearances at SXSW Interactive, Strata, and GigaOm’s Structure: Data.