Josh Baker

About Josh Baker

I build software companies that fix messy, real-world problems — especially in regulated and operationally complex spaces where most people would rather look away.My background is in finding bottlenecks: slow approvals, broken handoffs, paper-heavy workflows, missed revenue. I like sitting with the people in the middle of the chaos, understanding how things actually work, and then building systems that make their lives easier and the numbers better.I run Blue Horn Ventures, where we build AI-native vertical SaaS products and open infrastructure for the next era of commercial AI:Solitaire IQ — A “SaaS factory” and operations brain that lets us spin up industry-specific platforms on a shared, compliant core. We use it to build things like workers’ comp / IME workflows, healthcare compliance apps, and other B2B systems that need strong audit trails, automation, and AI co-pilots — without starting from scratch every time.Agent Certification Framework (ACF) — An open standard for certifying AI agents operating in commercial environments. ACF defines identity verification, behavioral testing, regulatory compliance modules, and cryptographically signed commitment receipts — so “this agent is safe to trust” becomes provable, not just promised. Live at acfstandards.org.My lane is: ∙ Turning vague, high-friction problems into concrete products ∙ Designing systems and workflows that scale across clients and geos ∙ Working with partners in healthcare, legal, and regulated services ∙ Owning go-to-market so the thing actually gets used, not just builtI’m comfortable bridging worlds — public institutions, private companies, and community organizations — and aligning them around solutions that create measurable, long-term impact.If you’re wrestling with a process that’s too critical to fail and too broken to ignore, that’s usually where I’m most useful.

Experience

1. Partner

   Players Capital Group

   Sep 2014 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Our organization was founded by former professional athletes and sports executives for the purpose of using our relationships and reach in the business world, hence the name “Players” Capital. Our earlier careers prepared us well for the intense competition we face every day, and the contacts we made back then enable us to put deals together seamlessly and quickly. We enjoy and welcome the pressure that comes along with the trust our clients put in us to achieve for them the very best possible outcome with the one and only chance they are going to get.We have a very aggressive approach to the Mergers and Acquisitions business. Our strategies are far less dependent upon policies and procedures and are far more reliant on our ability to quickly analyze a situation and act and react to fluid developments. Those analytical skills are rooted in a solid understanding of the most basic concepts of market economics; supply and demand, and risk and reward. We make use of sophisticated synergies and we pay attention to and understand the subtle nuances that almost always make the difference in a deal.With us you are a skybox invitation away from that banker or buyer you need to talk to. Let’s talk about how we can help you. We are very active in the following industry sectors, and in some of those subsectors, we are the unquestioned market leader.AutomotiveEnergy and Alternative EnergyFinancial ServicesFood ServicesHealth CareMedical and Veterinary PracticesRetail PharmacyTrucking and TransportationSports and Entertainment PropertiesWholesale Distribution

Education

• University of Delaware

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Criminalistics and Criminal Science

  2005 — 2010

Skills

• Event Management
• Event Planning
• Coaching
• Fundraising
• Microsoft Office
• Social Media
• Customer Service
• New Business Development
• Analysis
• Team Building
• Social Networking
• Marketing
• Public Speaking
• Leadership
• Microsoft Excel
• Teamwork