About Us

William J. Manby, Jr.

Managing Director & Founding Partner

​Bill has spent his entire career in the financial services industry and his whole life as a proud advocate for Akron and Northeast Ohio. As a licensed security adviser, Bill connected an impressive collection of clients to a broad range of rewarding investment options. It wasn't long before he began raising money for local projects ranging from a medical device company to a fintech software provider. To date, every one of Bill's projects has either paid off or is still pursuing an exit. This track record of success led to him founding Fund I in late 2016 and has been his focus and passion ever since. In addition to his career accomplishments, Bill has led some of the area's most successful capital campaigns and fundraising efforts for charities including the Akron Rotary Camp. Bill remains dedicated to the community and serves on the board of several non-profits.

William J. Manby, Jr.

Managing Director & Founding Partner

​Bill has spent his entire career in the financial services industry and his whole life as a proud advocate for Akron and Northeast Ohio. As a licensed security adviser, Bill connected an impressive collection of clients to a broad range of rewarding investment options. It wasn't long before he began raising money for local projects ranging from a medical device company to a fintech software provider. To date, every one of Bill's projects has either paid off or is still pursuing an exit. This track record of success led to him founding Fund I in late 2016 and has been his focus and passion ever since. In addition to his career accomplishments, Bill has led some of the area's most successful capital campaigns and fundraising efforts for charities including the Akron Rotary Camp. Bill remains dedicated to the community and serves on the board of several non-profits.

Daniel J. Hampu

Venture Partner & Operations Manager

As the Director of Investing and VC Startup Advising at the Bounce Innovation Hub, Dan runs the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund (NEOSVF) program and supports Bounce and its high-growth startups with capital strategy and fundraising. NEOSVF is a collaborative organization and program that gives college students from Northeast Ohio an opportunity to vet and fund high-growth potential startups. This unique enterprise has invested in 24 startups that have raised more than $24 million in follow-on funding.

He previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of Fontus Blue, Inc., a software-based startup company that develops solutions and supports people making exceptional drinking water for the public at more than 40 utilities across the US. He remains on their board of directors. Dan previously served as a New Venture Manager with the University of Akron Research Foundation, focusing on technology commercialization and due diligence. He co-managed the University of Akron's National Science Foundation I-Corps Sites program and managed deal flow for the ARCHAngels Investor Network. He has also taught entrepreneurship at the University of Mount Union in their department of Economics, Accounting, and Business Administration.

Victoria Tifft

Founding Partner & Senior Advisor

Vicki began her career journey in the US Peace Corps West Africa in the field of infectious disease control. After contracting malaria, she returned to the US with a commitment to finding treatments for diseases around the globe. In 1994, Vicki founded ClinicalRM, a company that now has over 350 employees globally and was acquired by ICON for $40 million in 2016.

In 2012, the US Small Business Administration honored Vicki as the National Small Businessperson of the Year.

Victoria Tifft

Founding Partner & Senior Advisor

Vicki began her career journey in the US Peace Corps West Africa in the field of infectious disease control. After contracting malaria, she returned to the US with a commitment to finding treatments for diseases around the globe. In 1994, Vicki founded ClinicalRM, a company that now has over 350 employees globally and was acquired by ICON for $40 million in 2016.

In 2012, the US Small Business Administration honored Vicki as the National Small Businessperson of the Year.

Michael Rademacher

Founding Partner & Senior Advisor

Mike is a former President of PolyOne Distribution, a $1B division of PolyOne Corporation headquartered in Avon Lake, Ohio.

With more than 40 years of experience working in both large public and small privately owned companies, Mike is a proven leader in the industrial market sector. He successfully led commercial, functional and operational groups primarily in the plastics and chemical industry.

Michael Rademacher

Founding Partner & Senior Advisor

Mike is a former President of PolyOne Distribution, a $1B division of PolyOne Corporation headquartered in Avon Lake, Ohio.

With more than 40 years of experience working in both large public and small privately owned companies, Mike is a proven leader in the industrial market sector. He successfully led commercial, functional and operational groups primarily in the plastics and chemical industry.

Daniel J. Hampu

Venture Partner & Operations Manager

As the Director of Investing and VC Startup Advising at the Bounce Innovation Hub, Dan runs the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund (NEOSVF) program and supports Bounce and its high-growth startups with capital strategy and fundraising. NEOSVF is a collaborative organization and program that gives college students from Northeast Ohio an opportunity to vet and fund high-growth potential startups. This unique enterprise has invested in 24 startups that have raised more than $24 million in follow-on funding.

He previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of Fontus Blue, Inc., a software-based startup company that develops solutions and supports people making exceptional drinking water for the public at more than 40 utilities across the US. He remains on their board of directors. Dan previously served as a New Venture Manager with the University of Akron Research Foundation, focusing on technology commercialization and due diligence. He co-managed the University of Akron's National Science Foundation I-Corps Sites program and managed deal flow for the ARCHAngels Investor Network. He has also taught entrepreneurship at the University of Mount Union in their department of Economics, Accounting, and Business Administration.