Connetic RIA LLC
Investment Adviser to VCAFX
Connetic RIA LLC advises the Connetic Venture Capital Access Fund, applying a disciplined, data-driven approach to early-stage venture investing on behalf of registered investment advisers, family offices, and qualified investors.
Team Experience
Investment Philosophy
Venture Capital as a Data Problem
The Adviser believes the systematic application of data and technology to venture sourcing can reduce selection bias and identify opportunities that relationship-driven models may overlook. Wendal® was built to operationalize this belief at scale.
Diversification as Risk Management
Venture returns are highly dispersed. The team believes broad diversification across 100+ companies, stages, sectors, and vintages is the most structurally sound approach to managing venture-specific risk — the portfolio currently holds 157 positions across eight sectors and multiple vintage years.
Systematic Over Intuition-Driven
The Adviser prioritizes repeatable, process-driven investment decisions over conviction-based concentration. Final decisions combine Wendal®'s structured output with investment team review, not one or the other alone.
Geography as Opportunity
By focusing on early-stage investments in non-coastal markets across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the team targets companies with lower entry valuations, less competition from established VC firms, and larger potential ownership stakes for the same dollars invested.
Sector Allocation
As of March 31, 2026. Primary sector classification by the Adviser. Subject to change.
Companies often span multiple themes; primary sector classification is determined by the Adviser. Holdings subject to change.
Investment Process
A systematic, four-stage funnel — from broad sourcing to disciplined deployment — supported by data and technology at every step.
7,000–8,000 deals annually
Organic inbound through co-investor network, database listings, and eight years of early-stage presence across target geographies.
2,500–3,000 deals annually
Companies that formally apply and complete the Wendal® platform process. Collection of 200+ proprietary data points per startup.
300–350 deals annually
Deals selected for deeper review using AI/ML recommendations trained on proprietary outcome data.
~25–30 deals annually
Final decisions combine Wendal®'s output with human judgment from the investment team.
Sourcing and diligence volume figures are approximate and based on historical activity. Volume does not guarantee future investment quality or results. Using technology like Wendal® may limit the pool of potential portfolio companies considered. Past model performance does not guarantee future investment outcomes.
Investment Team
Brad Zapp, CFP®
President
Multi-time exited founder, former RIA, and private market practitioner. Brad oversees fund distribution, capital allocation strategy, and serves as a primary point of contact for advisor relationships. His background spans traditional investment management and alternative investment structures with a focus on broadening access to institutional-quality strategies for RIAs and their clients.
Focus: Fund distribution and capital allocation strategy.
Chris Hjelm, Series 65
Portfolio Manager
Hedge fund, data analytics, and venture capital practitioner. Chris oversees core venture capital investments and portfolio management. He leads development of the Wendal® AI-driven investment platform, bringing large-scale technology operations and data systems experience to the investment process. Chris holds the Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination) designation.
Focus: Core venture capital investments and portfolio.
JD Audena
Platform Lead and Venture Capitalist
Entrepreneur and marketing practitioner. JD oversees the Wendal® platform and deal flow operations, managing founder intake, ecosystem partnerships, and sourcing infrastructure across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Focus: Wendal® platform and deal flow operations.
Lily Moore
Valuation Specialist
Holds a Master's in Finance from Kentucky University. Lily oversees portfolio valuations, fair-value methodology application, and investor reporting — including quarterly commentaries and regulatory filings.
Focus: Portfolio communications and reporting.
David Ross
Venture Partner
Brings deep public and private market experience from large global banks to family offices. David oversees partnerships and ecosystem development, focusing on advisor channel engagement and strategic relationships across the fund's target geographies.
Focus: Partnerships and ecosystem development.
Brian McDermott
CFO
Public and private accounting and finance practitioner. Brian runs portfolio valuations and oversees the annual audit, working with the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm and Board of Trustees on financial reporting and controls.
Focus: Portfolio valuations and annual audit.
Kyle Schlotman
Head of Operations
Investment banking and private market practitioner. Kyle oversees relationships with service providers including the Fund's custodian, transfer agent, administrator, and distributor (Foreside Financial Services, LLC).
Focus: Service provider relationships.
Wendal® — Technology-Enabled Venture Investing
The Adviser has developed proprietary technology infrastructure designed to enhance sourcing, screening, and diligence capabilities across venture investment opportunities.
The platform supports the investment team's ability to evaluate opportunities efficiently and consistently at scale, while investment decisions remain driven by human judgment and committee oversight.
Governance & Oversight
Board of Trustees
The Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for oversight of the Adviser and fund operations. The Board includes independent trustees who review compliance, conflicts of interest, and adherence to stated investment objectives.
Valuation
Private holdings are valued by the Adviser using fair-value procedures approved by the Board under ASC 820, applying consistent, documented methodologies in accordance with applicable guidance under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Compliance
Connetic RIA LLC is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933.
Independent Auditor
Financial statements are audited annually by an independent registered public accounting firm. Audited financial statements are included in the Annual Report, available upon request from investor relations.
Investor Relations
To request fund documents, schedule a conversation with the investment team, or inquire about investment eligibility, contact investor relations directly.
info@conneticventures.com · Connetic RIA LLC, Northern Kentucky
Fund Reference
Not FDIC Insured — No Bank Guarantee — May Lose Value. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. This and other information is in the prospectus, available at www.conneticventures.com/vcafx or by calling 1-844-434-6483. Read it carefully before investing.