Graham Henshaw

About Graham Henshaw

I\'ve always had a passion for building things. That led to smashed thumbs and degrees in engineering and design and a career in product development before realizing that the same toolkit could be used to build businesses. Those skills and saying yes to interesting adventures more than I probably should led to impactful and rewarding work as an entrepreneur, investor, and educator for almost 20 years. I\'ve navigated various build cycles: as a founder, from product invention to company acquisition; as an investor, from diligence to exit; and as an educator, helping transform raw talent into capable entrepreneurial thinkers. Since outcomes aren\'t always LinkedIn-post-worthy, I\'ve also had the opportunity to develop grit when things have gone sideways. Whether it\'s a product, a startup, a group of students, or even an old house, I’m passionate about taking something great and transforming it into something incredible.

Experience

1. Co-founder and Managing Director

   Extra Credit Ventures

   Aug 2022 — Present · Williamsburg, VA, US

   Extra Credit Ventures invests in early-stage companies led by alumni founders we know well as faculty members and university administrators. Our deal flow is based on existing relationships formed over years of interactions with students and young alumni. ECV connects university faculty, entrepreneurship center directors, administrators, and alumni who know these founders well and are never surprised by their ingenuity, hustle, and success. We source deals from around the country and invest in founders who are about five years post-graduation, working in the industries they plan to disrupt, and have an open round with a sector-specific lead investor.

Education

• Virginia Tech

  Master of Science (M.S.), Mechanical Engineering

  2002 — 2003

• Virginia Tech

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Mechanical Engineering & Industrial Design (minor)

  1998 — 2002