Karen Kerr

Karen holds a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Chicago and an AB in chemistry from Bryn Mawr College, where she currently serves as Trustee.

Karen is the founder and Managing Director of Exposition Ventures. She previously was an Executive Managing Director at GE Ventures focused on making investments and developing partnerships in the energy and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. Karen has two decades of experience in developing technology-based businesses and venture investing. 

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Previously Karen served as Senior Director of New Ventures and Alliances at the University of Southern California (USC) Stevens Center for Innovation where she was responsible for accelerating the formation of startup companies out of university research. 

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Before joining USC, Karen led business development at Intellectual Ventures, served as a Managing Director at ARCH Venture Partners, and founded Agile Equities LLC, a venture development company specializing in emerging technology companies. Focused on venture education and technology advancements, Karen has held a variety of board roles for organizations including the Center for Venture Education, National Science Foundation SBIR/STTR Advisory Committee, and National Institute of Standards and Technology Visiting Committee on Advance Technology. 

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Highly acclaimed, Karen was named one of LA's Top Innovators in 2012 by C Suite Quarterly, selected to C200 leading business women in 2004, and selected by Crain's Chicago Business for its "40 under 40" list of leading business professionals in Chicago.

Karen is a member of the Charter Class of Kauffman Fellows, and served her fellowship with mentor Keith Crandell at ARCH Venture Partners in Chicago. She is a mentor to Kamal Vasagiri (Class 24) and previously mentored Lisa Coca (Class 21). Karen also sits on the Kauffman Fellows board of directors.