E. Rogers Novak, Jr.

Background

Rogers Novak was born in the United States.

Education

Rogers Novak studied at Kenyon College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970.

Career

Rogers Novak started his career as a co-founder and three-fund general partner of Grotech Partners, where he was principally focused on information technology. In 1997 he started to work as the Lead Director at Blackboard Inc. He held this post until 2010. In 1997, he became a General Partner Co-Founder at Novak Biddle Venture Partners. Roger has served on many public, private and civic boards. He has served on the State of Virginia’s Joint Commission on Science and Technology. Roger Novak is a frequent speaker on venture capital, risk, and innovation issues, Roger has spoken before the National Institute of Science and Technology, the World Bank/IFC, DARPA, and many other institutions.

Mr. Novak currently serves on several private company boards. He previously served on the Board of Trustees for Kenyon College where he was a member of the Budget, Financial and Audit Committee and the Student Affairs Committee. Mr. Novak held a seat on the Board of the National Venture Capital Association from 2008 to 2011. He also was Treasurer of the National Venture Capital Association and a member of their Executive Committee from 2009 to 2011.

Achievements

• Rogers Novak is an American businessman and entrepreneur. He has over 25 years of experience as a venture capitalist, angel investor, and operating principle. For his service on Blackboard, Inc. Roger Novak was named an Outstanding Director by Ernst & Young and the Washington Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors.
  
  In 2007, he received the Early Stage East Sal Buccieri Memorial Venture Impact Award. He has also been recognized as one of the Washington, D.C. area’s 100 “Tech Titans.” Roger has appeared on The McNeil Lehrer Newshour, CNN, CNNfN, Wall Street Week and other programs.

Membership

Roger Novak was a member of the OSD’s (Office of Secretary of Defense) DeVenCI program. He is a member of Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government’s project to examine the funding gap between innovation and commercialization. He is also a board member of Parchment Inc. and UniversityNow Inc. Novak serves on the boards of Capital Education Group, Fidelis Education, Parchment, Inc., and SS8 Networks.