Joe Maruschak

Joe is a Strategic Advisor, Entrepreneur, and Investor, active with startup companies in Games, Software, Health and Safety, Education, and Biotech. Joe co-founded his first company, BraveTree, in 2001. At BraveTree, they developed multi-player games for the web and for XBox Live Arcade. During this time, he was also active in the independent game development community, acting as an evangelist for independent games, blogging and speaking at independent game conferences. Joe sold BraveTree to it's publisher, GarageGames in 2005. He was brought on to join the executive team at GarageGames to build a team focused on developing their internal games and IP, and work with the Engine Products team to extend the lines of our educational products. He managed the game division of the company, including management of their 3rd party games portfolio. He helped to grow that company until it was acquired by IAC in 2007. Joe Left GarageGames/InstantAction in 2009 to pursue other interests. He subsequently acted as a consultant and adviser to early and growth stage companies. As Managing Director of the Coast to Crest Seed Fund, he invests in early stage startup companies in Lane County, Oregon. Joe in now a General Partner with Aventurine Capital Group.