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Chris Starr

Vice-President, Science Center
Executive Director & Founder, Mid-Atlantic Angel Group Fund

StarrChristopher Starr is a Vice President of Investments at the Science Center, responsible for the management of Science Center Capital, a venture capital fund targeting seed and early stage technology and life science investments in the Greater Philadelphia region.   

Additionally, Mr. Starr is the Executive Director and Founder of the Mid-Atlantic Angel Group Fund, I L.P. (MAG), the largest angel group and first structured angel fund in the Mid-Atlantic region.  The MAG Fund has over $4.4 million under management and includes 89 institutional and individual accredited investors   Mr. Starr is responsible for all aspects of administration and operations of the Fund and is the primary contact for both entrepreneurs and the funding community for the Fund’s membership. 

Most recently, Mr. Starr was the Managing Director and Vice President of Investments at Innovation Philadelphia.  At Innovation Philadelphia, Mr. Starr is responsible for all of the company’s investment programs.  His responsibilities include executing economic stimulus investments, attracting new companies to the region, evaluating potential investment opportunities, performing due diligence, negotiating and structuring investments, and working with portfolio company management teams to execute their strategies.

Formerly, Mr. Starr  was a Principal of Lenfest Capital, LLC, a venture capital fund based in Philadelphia, PA that invests nationally in early stage companies in the media, cable and communications industries as well as in other venture capital and buyout funds.   Prior to joining Lenfest Capital, Mr. Starr was an Associate at the Eastern Technology Fund, a venture fund for promising seed-stage Internet and technology companies in the Mid-Atlantic region and a feeder fund to PA Early Stage, an affiliated private equity fund of Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE:SFE).  At both Lenfest Capital and the Eastern Technology Fund, Mr. Starr was responsible for identifying, analyzing, and structuring venture investments, performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies, and working worked closely with the senior management of portfolio companies to support those companies in executing their corporate strategies.  In addition to his role at the Eastern Technology Fund, Mr. Starr was a contributor to ATPHILLY – an Internet email-based newsletter serving the technology community in the Delaware Valley.  Previously, Mr. Starr held various roles with the Innovation Factory, Merck & Co., Inc., and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.  Additionally, Mr. Starr worked at the law firm of Stevens & Lee, handling business transactions and deal processing in the corporate group.

In 2001, PhillyTech magazine selected Mr. Starr as one of the “30 Under 30” business executives to watch in the Philadelphia region’s high-tech industry.  Additionally, in February 2002, the Philadelphia Business Journal recognized Mr. Starr as one of the Philadelphia region’s “40 Under 40” young business leaders.

Mr. Starr is an active speaker and panelist at various universities, industry groups and seminars, discussing issues affecting emerging growth companies such as venture financing, management and technology.  Mr. Starr is also active in the community, participating on the board of the Philadelphia Area New Media Association (PANMA) and the board of the Pennsylvania Angel Network.  He is also a member of the Investment Advisory Committee of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and an active member of the Eastern Technology Council and the Greater Philadelphia Venture Group and a board adviser to the chamber music organization Summertrios.  Additionally, he is active with the regions leading universities, participating as a judge and a student mentor in the business plan competitions at Wharton, Temple University, and Drexel University.

Mr. Starr is a director to or observer of the boards of the following companies: IPR International, LLC; Ricochet Manufacturing; Immune Control, and Gentis, Inc.

Mr. Starr earned his B.B.A., magna cum laude, and M.B.A. with concentrations in strategic management and finance from the Temple University School of Business.  In addition, Mr. Starr earned his J.D. with a focus on corporate law from the Temple University School of Law.