1435 Capital Management has added two accomplished leaders to the advisory team for its Garden State Innovation Fund (GSIF): Mike Reagan and L. Marc Shegoski.
Last month, NJBIZ profiled 1435 Capital Management. Based in Skillman, serial entrepreneur and respected investor Ben Jen founded the venture capital firm and serves as managing partner. The business ranked No. 173 on NJBIZ’s recent list of Top 250 Privately Held Companies for 2025. Jen also recently appeared on the Innovate100 list, recognizing top leaders driving innovation and economic growth across the state.
As NJBIZ reported, GSIF is a $25 million early-stage fund focused on investing in New Jersey-based startups and helping fuel the state’s innovation economy.
In August, the Garden State Innovation Fund brought on its first strategic advisor, Lawrence Krampf. The veteran marketing and communications entrepreneur boasts more than 40 years of experience in the New Jersey and New York advertising industry, serving as CEO of V&L Ventures LLC and president at mTap Corp. NJBIZ recognized Krampf as an ICON honoree in 2025.
Key details about the latest GSIF additions:
- Reagan: Recently retired as senior vice president at CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc. There, he held full P&L responsibility for the NY/NJ Metro Region. Throughout his career, Reagan led large-scale modernization efforts across multiple industries. He serves on a number of boards, including a recent appointment to the board of directors of New Brunswick Development Corp. (DEVCO) in New Brunswick.
- Shegoski: Serves as managing director – Wealth Management, and senior institutional consultant at a major Wall Street financial institution. Shegoski also is founding partner of Princeton Investment Consulting. He brings decades of experience advising affluent clients, institutions, corporations, nonprofits, foundations and endowments. Additionally, Shegoski serves on multiple charitable boards, including with the Red Cross State Board and the Investment Committee of the Greenwood House Foundation.
The additions of Reagan and Shegoski mark a major next step forward for the Fund. Along with Krampf, the trio brings decades of expertise across investment management, technology innovation and community development to the fund.
1435 Capital says that together, the advisors will guide GSIF in achieving key goals. Those include sourcing high-quality startups, mobilizing institutional and private capital, advancing innovation statewide and amplifying the firm’s leadership in New Jersey’s venture capital ecosystem.
