Scott Button
Managing Director

Scott joined Venture Investors in 1996 as an Analyst and became a Managing Director with the firm in 2000, with VIESF III. He has been a Managing Director in all of the firm’s subsequent funds and is located in Madison, Wisconsin. Scott focuses on investment prospects in medical devices, digital health and diagnostic sectors.

Scott has over twenty years of investment experience, including his current directorships at Elucent Medical (founded by NeuWave Medical founders), Eximis Surgical, and EnsoData. He uses his network and extensive experience to identify novel technologies that can be spun out of university ecosystems which have the potential to significantly impact human health and turn into successful start-ups. Scott led the original round of financing for NeuWave Medical when the company was comprised of one employee and the four founders spinning out of the University of Wisconsin. He was instrumental in identifying and recruiting its CEO and second employee at the time of our original investment. NeuWave was acquired by Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon and was the single largest return to any VI fund.

Prior to joining Venture Investors, Scott worked for McDonald’s Corporation as an Operations Manager, and for Rockwell Automation as a Field Sales Engineer in the automotive industry.

Involvement in Community & Venture Ecosystem:

  • Board of Directors, the Isthmus Project (UW Health Innovation) – Madison
  • Board of Advisors, Chemistry Department, University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • Lecturer, School of Business and Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • Member, Commercial Advisory Committee, Madison Development Corporation
  • Board of Advisors, Office of Technology Commercialization Discovery Capital Investment Program, University of Minnesota

Education & Certifications:

  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • MBA, University of Chicago
  • Chartered Financial Analyst

Hobbies:

In his spare time, Scott enjoys cycling, cross-country skiing (completed 18 American Birkebeiners), fishing, kart racing and spending time with his family, including several furry friends: Yukon (Bernese Mountain Dog), Juneau (Golden Retriever), and Milano (Guinea Pig).