
Ray Smithson
Venture Partner
Tenure
15 years in the startup community
Experience
COO, Kinect Capital
Head of Mentor Relations, Kinect Capital
Strategic Adivosr, Olin Ventures
Venture Advisor, Omni Ventures
Education
BA Medical Biology and Business, Ohio State University
International Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCDi), University of Nottingham
About
Ray is a Venture Partner at Frazier VC, following a year as the firm's Venture Scout. A career startup-community builder and former founder, he's spent 15+ years connecting founders with capital and strategic partners.
Today, that work spans roles as COO of Kinect Capital, Strategic Advisor to Ollin Ventures, and Venture Advisor to Omni Ventures. He also founded the Taiwan Investors Club, connecting investors across the U.S. and Asia, and locally founded Third Thursday @ Three, a monthly Utah pitch event launched in 2023, building on his earlier support of Kinect Capital's 41st and 42nd Annual Investors Choice Conferences.
