• Who We Are
  • Peter Brooke
  • John Brooke
  • H. J. von der Goltz
  • Charles Bridge
  • Christopher Austen
  • Lynn Wilkins
  • Cara Hubbard
  • Elizabeth Weindruch
  • Rita Herrera
  • Laurie Slone
  • Ryan Mahoney
  • Joseph Duffey
  • Jessica Foster
• What We Do
• Vectis Life Sciences
• Contact

Christopher Austen

Mr. Christopher Austen was educated at Duke University and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Mr. Austen has a diverse background as an entrepreneur, marketing executive and venture capital investor. During his early career, he specialized in marketing and business development, working with Fortune 500 clients and major advertising firms including BBDO, and Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB) in New York. At these organizations, his work encompassed significant industry analysis and resulted in the strategic positioning, marketing, and launch strategies for numerous successful products.

After receiving his MBA, Mr. Austen joined Southeast Interactive Technology Funds an early-stage IT-focused venture fund based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Active at Southeast from 1998-2003, he played a role in all aspects of venture investing and portfolio management including fundraising, deal sourcing, due diligence, management recruiting and development of exit opportunities. Mr. Austen also represented the Fund on numerous portfolio boards as a Director or Observer.

In 2003, he was recruited by investors to turn-around BuildLinks, Inc., a Web-based collaboration and communication company for the residential building industry. As Buildlinks CEO, Mr. Austen was responsible for day-to-day operations, long-term strategic vision and fundraising. He is credited with turning the company around and re-positioning the company as an industry leader. After successfully recruiting a new management team, Mr. Austen took the role of Chairman in October 2005.

Mr. Austen has supported community organizations and was a Board member of the North Carolina Council for Entrepreneurial Development, the North Carolina Technology Association and the Triangle Community Foundation’s Entrepreneur’s Partnership Venture Fund.