CSU Fund I Announces Student Fellowship Recipient for 2011-2012 School Year

Note to Reporters: A photo of Kate Danaher is available with the news release at http://news.colostate.edu.

CSU Fund I, the venture capital fund associated with Colorado State University, has selected Kate Danaher, a Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise (GSSE) master’s program candidate, for the 2011-2012 CSU Fund I Fellowship position.

CSU Fund I is a 10-year private investment fund that provides seed and early-stage capital to promising new companies associated with Colorado State. The fund is managed by CSU Management Corp., a subsidiary of the CSU Research Foundation, which helps the university commercialize new research innovations through business development, global partnerships and critical commercialization activities.

The CSU Fund I Fellowship is a distinguished appointment that offers hands-on experience in private equity and a unique opportunity to learn the ropes of seed- and early-stage investing.

“The fund’s affiliation with CSU offers greater exposure to the Fellow and allows Kate to work closely with high-growth and high-tech opportunities stemming from CSU’s cutting-edge research,” said Mark Wdowik, President and CEO of CSU Management Corporation and Executive Fund Director for CSU FUND I. “The fund is also connected to private equity funds around the country providing the Fellow with direct access to world renowned venture capital firms.”

Danaher began her career in the economic development department in Telluride, working with community leaders to design programs intended to generate business for the local economy. Since 2007, Kate has worked as a project manager for large advertising and production companies implementing ad campaigns and events.

Danaher also works with The New Community Coalition, a Telluride sustainability nonprofit dedicated to identifying, coordinating, and implementing sustainability projects in San Miguel County and surrounding areas. She is also a fellow with RSF Social Finance, a large impact investment firm specializing in values-driven social enterprise development, support and sustainment.

Responsibilities of the CSU Fund I fellowship position include:

• processing fund applications and documents
• assisting with company screenings and providing written business overviews of potential investment opportunities for fund management
• identifying and researching companies in assigned categories to build a comprehensive market analysis of competitors and companies
• assisting and participating in monthly fund meetings

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