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Josh Kerr

Josh Kerr walking on top of a mountain in Switzerland.
Somewhere in the Swiss Alps, contemplating the next startup idea

The Short Version

I'm an 8x startup founder, angel investor, and startup mentor based in Austin, TX. I hold a Computer Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin and have spent the last two decades building companies, advising founders, and occasionally smashing fax machines on stage (more on that later).

When I'm not working with startups, I write about mathematics, physics, and technology on this blog. I have a particular fascination with impossibly large numbers—the kind that would collapse your brain into a black hole if you tried to comprehend them.

Entrepreneur

My journey in tech started with Ideal Science, an enterprise discussion forum software with breakthrough security features that caught the attention of Microsoft, CNN, the FBI, GigaOm, and the U.S. Department of Defense. We also partnered with Bungie Studios to create a white-labeled version for the launch of Halo 2.

I later co-founded Zosh, a first-of-its-kind e-signature mobile app that I patented and ran as CEO. Zosh was acquired by YouSendIt (now Hightail) in 2010. That same year, I won a DEMOgod Award after smashing a fax machine on stage with a baseball bat to demonstrate that the fax era was over.

After a stint at Amazon Web Services working on the global startup team, I conceptualized and launched Written, a VC-backed content marketing company (funded by LiveOak), where I served as CEO.

Startup Mentor

I'm deeply embedded in the Austin startup ecosystem through my work with Capital Factory and Techstars.

At Capital Factory, I've served as Mentor, Partner, and Entrepreneur-in-Residence since 2011, and was named Mentor of the Year for three consecutive years. Startups I've mentored include CrateJoy and many others.

I joined Techstars Austin in its inaugural year and have served as a mentor ever since. Notable advisory roles include Patient.io, which was subsequently acquired by Athena Health.

Josh Kerr giving a talk at Techstars.
Giving a talk at Techstars

Angel Investor

I invest in early-stage startups through various vehicles, including Capital Factory funds and as a founding venture partner at NextGen Angels. My full investment portfolio is available on AngelList.

Career Highlights

Selected Press

Coverage from Wall Street Journal, New York Times, TechCrunch, Mashable, USA Today, Engadget, Gizmodo, Lifehacker, Macworld, Fox News, CNET, and Forbes.

Let's Connect

I'm available for office hours at both Capital Factory and Techstars. You can also find me on AngelList or reach out through the links below.