Phil
Herget
Phil Bronner is the Co-founder and General Partner of Ardent Venture Partners, where he is an investor in companies including Gridline and PilotDesk. Prior to Ardent, Phil was the Founder/Managing Member of Avonlea Capital, a venture capital firm focused on high-potential internet, media, mobile, and technology companies. Phil currently serves as a Board Observer of Flytedesk. Avonlea exits include Airside Mobile (acquired by Onfido), Avizia (acquired by American Well), BlackLynx (acquired by Jacobs), Booyah Networks, ClearLeap (acquired by IBM), Greensmith (acquired by Wartsila), Interfolio (acquired by Insight Capital), Pacify (acquired by Advantia Health), SpotX (acquired by RTL Media).
Prior to Avonlea Capital, Phil was a Co-Managing General Partner of Columbia Capital, a venture capital/private equity firm focused on Communications, Media, and Technology. Phil joined Columbia Capital in 1992, leading the firm’s development, growth, and transition into a premier institutional investor-backed investment firm. Former Columbia portfolio companies that Phil managed include Altiga Networks (acquired by Cisco Systems), Call Technologies (acquired by 3Com), Columbia Spectrum Management (acquired by P-Com), GoAhead Software (acquired by Oracle), NMP (acquired by AppNet / Commerce One), Ocular Networks (acquired by Tellabs), Riverbed Technologies (acquired by Aether Systems), Saville Systems (NASDAQ: SAVLY subsequently acquired by ADC Communications), Telular (NASDAQ: WRLS), Torrent Networking Technologies (acquired by Ericsson), Vubiquity (served as Board Chair, acquired by Amdocs). Phil also served as CFO of Telular Corporation, leading the company through an Initial Public Offering.
Phil is an Emeritus Trustee of The College Foundation Board of University of Virginia (former Board Chair). He serves on the Board of Managers of the University of Virginia Alumni Association. He served on the Board of Visitors of William & Mary (2004-2012). Phil served on the Board of Governors of Saint Stephens Saint Agnes School in Alexandria, VA (former Board Chair). Access to education is a priority for Phil and his wife Lisa.
Phil received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1985 and his MBA from Kenan-Flager Business School at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1992. Phil and Lisa have four daughters, two granddaughters, and two sons-in-law.