Jonathan Ellis

Jonathan Ellis is the Founder and General Partner of Sandalphon Capital, a venture capital firm based in Chicago that he established in 2016. His investment focus primarily includes Pre-Seed and Seed stage rounds for B2B SaaS and Marketplace startups, with particular interest in sectors such as fintech, insurtech, proptech, and enterprise SaaS.13

Professional Background

Before founding Sandalphon Capital, Jonathan was a Senior Vice President at Macquarie Group, where he managed investments across various industries, including technology, healthcare, and real estate. He was involved in private equity and debt investing, as well as restructuring advisory engagements. His career at Macquarie also included roles in both London and Chicago, where he specialized in diversified industrials and restructuring advisory.123

Education and Affiliations

Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in International Management from the University of Manchester and a Master of Finance from INSEAD. He is actively involved in the Chicago venture capital ecosystem, serving on several boards, including Chicago, a non-profit dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry. He is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Chicago Club.123

Investment Philosophy

His investment strategy emphasizes supporting early-stage companies and fostering growth within the Midwest's tech landscape. Jonathan has been recognized for his commitment to mentoring and developing new ventures, and he has co-chaired programs aimed at supporting emerging entrepreneurs.14