Our People

Leadership

Operating Team

  • A Division I athlete at Duke University, Akiva is a walk-on wide receiver for the football program and studies Economics with a concentration in Finance. His athletic experience sharpens his appreciation for grit, team dynamics, and high-performance environments—core principles that guide Hartzell’s investment philosophy.

    Prior to launching Hartzell, Akiva served as an Analyst at Greenfield Partners, a growth equity firm managing over $1 billion in assets. There, he led sourcing and outreach for active deals, authored thematic research on emerging fintech trends, and built conviction around investment theses by combining qualitative insight with quantitative rigor. His work at Greenfield deepened his understanding of go-to-market strategy and what it takes for a business to scale efficiently.

    Akiva previously co-founded HighSt, a fashion discovery platform designed to spotlight independent brands through gamified and immersive UX, and was selected as the youngest member of the Founder Institute accelerator. This hands-on experience with product-market fit and founder challenges deeply informs his approach to partnering with entrepreneurs at Hartzell.

    Akiva worked closely with nonprofit organizations, including the Tourette Association of America, where he assisted in securing over $2 million in recurring annual funding.

    Drawing from a background that blends entrepreneurship, investment research, and athletic leadership, Akiva brings a unique perspective to early-stage investing—one rooted in cultural relevance, network value, and performance discipline.

  • Robert is a sophomore at Duke University, pursuing a dual degree in Economics with a concentration in Finance and a second major in Philosophy. With a distinguished academic background, he brings a rigorous analytical mindset to his work. Prior to HG, Robert worked as a Commercial Real Estate Summer Analyst at York RE Capital Partners, where he built financial models, conducted market research, and performed in-depth due diligence on potential acquisitions.

    His leadership extends beyond the classroom—he founded the Ethics & Civil Discourse Society, serves as a member of the Duke Real Estate and Investment Clubs, and has participated in nationally recognized leadership programs such as Seeds of Peace and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference.

    Passionate about philosophical inquiry and social justice, Robert has also conducted research on justice theories through Pioneer Academics and contributed to community-based restorative justice initiatives. Proficient in financial modeling tools and certified in real estate finance, he combines technical skill with a commitment to meaningful dialogue and ethical leadership.

Advisors & Partnerships

  • Hartzell’s advisory board consists of founders and managers of the industry leaders in athlete advisory and investing (as well as other verticals). Our board has over $10 Billion AUM and decades of experience, assuring that every step of the process will be overseen and approved by the best in the business. ​

    In the interest of privacy and focus during Fund I’s raise, our advisor relationships will remain internal and disclosed only in contextually appropriate settings.

  • Hartzell has established partnerships with several reputable private investment firms to facilitate future co-investment opportunities, providing our clients with access to high-quality investment opportunities across diverse sectors

    In the best interest of our clients and to preserve the integrity of future investment opportunities, the identities of our partner firms will remain confidential and shared only in direct, context-specific conversations.