Investor Connect Podcast with Michael Smerklo

We are thrilled to announce the well-deserved promotion of Michael Tian to Senior Associate! Michael’s exceptional work as an investment associate during his two-year tenure with us has made a significant impact on our firm, and we look forward to seeing him take on new challenges in his new role.

Michael's dedication and hard work have consistently shone through in his contributions to our firm's success. He has demonstrated a strong ability to evaluate potential investments, develop relationships with entrepreneurs, and provide support to our portfolio companies.

We are confident that Michael's drive and intellectual curiosity will continue to be a tremendous asset to our team and our portfolio companies. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved promotion, and we look forward to seeing him thrive in his new role as Senior Associate at Next Coast Ventures.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Zaz Floreani has decided to transition out of her role as a Principal and into the role of a Venture Partner at Next Coast Ventures. We are grateful for all the contributions that Zaz has made to our firm and thrilled to have her remain part of the NCV team.  While this means she will no longer be on the core investing team on a day to day basis, we know that her background, network, and experience will make her a great Venture Partner.

By way of background, Zaz joined NCV in October 2019 after several senior roles in the Austin startup community. During her 2.5 years at Next Coast Ventures, Zaz has been an important member of the deal team, helping execute the firm's strategy in its early stage investments. She also provided valuable support to the firm's portfolio companies. Zaz has spent her entire career working closely with entrepreneurs in Next Coast markets and has been instrumental in NCV’s growth. We appreciate her drive and expertise and are glad she’ll continue to be a part of our family as a Venture Partner.