Boston Capital Ventures (BCV) manages private venture capital funds. The first BCV fund was launched in 1982 by founding partners A. Dana Callow and Johan von der Goltz. BCV is currently making investments in new portfolio companies from its fifth fund, BCV IV LP, which is managed by general partners Johan von der Goltz and Jack Shields. Investors in BCV's funds include high net worth individuals, wealthy families, entrepreneurs and strategic investors and partners from 15 countries. BCV is currently also raising capital for its sixth fund, BCV V LP.

Well-defined investment strategy

BCV partners take an active role in the portfolio companies, often taking a seat on the board of directors. According to the company, because of the firm's operating expertise in services businesses, BCV generally invests in companies based in the northeastern part of the U.S. BCV's investments range between $1 and $7 million. BCV expects the investment life cycle to range between two and five years. The company also states that BCV expects a portfolio investment to return 10 times the initial investment.

Portfolio: focused on technology

The company has recently invested in information technology and e-services companies including Centric Software and Exa Corporation as well as Internet technology companies such as MediaCom, Veridiem and JuniorNet Corporation.

Management shakeup

In June 1997, seven investment professionals resigned from BCV, including co-founder A. Dana Callow. Callow formed a new fund, Boston Millenia Partners, with his fellow defectors. However, the firm maintains a friendly business relationship with some of its former partners. Since inception, the firm has had a total of six general partners. General partners of the two most recent BCV funds include Johan von der Goltz and Jack Shields. General partners of previously closed BCV funds (or funds now in liquidation) include A. Dana Callow, David Kronfeld, Donald Steiner and Johan von der Goltz. According to the company, all of the general partners of prior funds including Johan von der Goltz retain responsibility for overseeing investments made by those funds. David Kronfeld is currently general partner of J. K. & B. Capital in Chicago, a firm with which BCV IV has recently co-invested. Donald Steiner is currently vice chairman of Cornerstone Brands. Cornerstone is a BCV II LP and BCV III LP portfolio company and Johan von der Goltz serves as a director on Conerstone's board.

International management expertise