Bradford A. Benz stands as a prominent figure in the landscape of growth and investment, embodying the essence of “Capital Benz” through his extensive career in creating, operating, and advising growth-oriented companies. For over three decades, Benz has been at the forefront of the capital investment sector, demonstrating a keen eye for identifying and nurturing businesses poised for significant expansion.
As the founder of Benz Capital, Bradford A. Benz has channeled his expertise into a firm that invests strategically in growth stage companies. Benz Capital’s impressive portfolio includes notable names such as NOCD, EquipmentShare, Lessonly, Udemy, InStride, StudyBlue, Learneo, and Degreed, showcasing a diverse range of successful ventures across various industries. His role extends beyond investment, as he actively contributes as a board member of the Utah Land Trusts Protection & Advocacy Office. This organization plays a crucial role in managing Utah’s substantial $3.5 billion endowment, benefiting the state’s public school system with over $100 million annually, highlighting Benz’s commitment to both financial growth and public service.
Bradford Benz’s influence in the capital and investment world is further amplified through his long-standing role as a Senior Advisor for TPG Growth and TPG Rise Fund since 2011. These leading global private equity firms, managing over $200 billion, have benefited from Benz’s strategic insights. Notably, he was instrumental in architecting InStride, an innovative global platform born from the ASU/Starbucks partnership, designed to provide employees with accessible and cost-effective degree programs. During his tenure with TPG, Benz has been deeply involved in deal sourcing, due diligence, and providing strategic counsel to numerous portfolio companies, solidifying his reputation as a key player in capital growth strategies.
Before establishing Benz Capital, Bradford Benz founded RedShift Group (RSG), an advisory and venture capital firm focused on accelerating business scaling. RSG, under Benz’s leadership, has advised a wide array of companies, including Pandora Media, StudyBlue, Sylvan, ASU Foundation, Capacity, NOCD, 3Day Blinds, Deltak, Rasmussen, Udemy, Grand Canyon University, Inside Track, eBureau, uBoost, Noodle Companies, Atrium Capital/Follett Venture Fund, Marcus Corporation, and Answers.com. This diverse client list underscores Benz’s broad expertise and his firm’s capability to drive growth across different sectors.
Earlier in his career, Benz served as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Business Development for Aptimus, an ad network acquired by Apollo Group in 2007. His early venture capital experience includes his role as the first Associate at Robertson Stephens/Crosslink Capital, where he focused on digital media and education investments. His investment acumen is evident in the success of his early picks, with three out of five achieving successful IPOs, including Saba Software, Eloquent, and OnDisplay, the latter being a top IPO in 1999 and later acquired for $1.8 billion.
Bradford A. Benz’s academic foundation includes an MBA from the University of Michigan and an AB degree from Princeton University, underpinning his practical experience with robust theoretical knowledge.
Benz’s influence extends through his network, including advisors Dixon W. Benz and David K. Curtis. Dixon W. Benz serves as the Chairman of the Board of Benz Oil, bringing a wealth of experience from the energy sector. David K. Curtis is the Managing Director of Graham Healthcare Capital, a family office concentrating on controlling positions within healthcare technology and services. Together, this network represents a comprehensive approach to capital and investment across diverse industries.
