Elevating innovative startups from our backyard to meet the challenges of our world

Mark is a biomedical engineer, brewmaster, CFA (I), startup investor, and Board Member.

After completing a Masters in Biomedical Engineering, a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and two Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Neuroscience, Mark made the natural next step and launched Tabernash Brewing Company which later merged with became what is now Left Hand Brewing Company, one of the largest microbreweries in the United States.

Over the last 25+ years, Mark has been a Principal and General Partner of Tango, a private investment company, and High Country Ventures, a top decile, early-stage venture fund focused in Biotech, Medtech, Infotech, retail, consumer goods, and internet technologies.

Mark’s success as a Venture Capitalist can be attributed to his ‘community-based investment strategies’ that have contributed to Colorado’s economic growth, job creation and attracting nascent industries into the state.

Humble, inquisitive, and a champion of personal, professional, and economic growth via mentorship; Mark is a force multiplier and an early economic driver in Colorado’s venture capital/start-up ecosystem.

After hours, you can find Mark on the squash court, traveling the world on his GT motorcycle, and/or enjoying time with his family.

Sally is a serial entrepreneur, advisor, startup accelerator faculty member, impact investor, and Board Member. 

Sally’s business and law background began as a McKinsey & Co. consultant and as an Assistant Attorney General for Colorado. 

Interested in entrepreneurship, Sally co-founded and presided two companies -- Precision Photonics, a laser & opto-electronics design and manufacturing company, and MBio Diagnostics which focuses on point-of-care medical and animal diagnostics, using laser-based waveguide systems. 

Empowering future generations of entrepreneurs, Sally’s work with the University of Colorado Venture Partners team consults and develops programming for diverse teams of innovators spinning/starting up a company out of the University.

Energetic, connected, and a champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a past leader of several digital women’s health companies and a perpetual environmental and women’s issues advocate; Sally is the beating drum that keeps companies pushing forward, despite the trials and tribulations all startups face.

After hours, you can find Sally on one of our many waterways pulling on some oars; rallying the fuzzy yellow ball around the court; throwing some clay, and/or enjoying time with her family.

Tasso is a scientist and entrepreneur with a strong background in deep-tech commercialization

As a co-founder of Undercover Colors, a company dedicated to reducing the rates of drug-facilitated sexual assault, he’s experienced in bringing deep-tech out of the lab and into the market

He has a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from Duke University, and a B.S. in material science engineering from NC State University

After work, you can find Tasso hiking around the foothills with his dog Gryphon, or fishing the Boulder Creek