Auld Ventures

AJ Auld

Entrepreneur, operator and investor. I build, back and advise businesses, and I want to hear from founders who think big and get things done.

25+ years in business • 6 companies founded • 2 acquisitions

AJ Headshot Black
What I do

Operate. Invest. Advise.

Auld Ventures is my holding company. Everything I do professionally runs through it: operating businesses, investing in companies and funds, and advising other founders and owners.

Operate

Backing established home services companies with growth capital, hands-on operating expertise and modern AI tools, without breaking what already works.

Visit Building Better Holdings →

Invest

Direct investments in private companies and LP stakes in venture funds, including TRAC and Rebel Fund.

See my investments →

Advise

25+ years of starting, scaling and selling companies, put to work for founders and owners on growth, operations and exits.

Talk to me about advising →
Track record

Operator

Companies I founded or co-founded and led as CEO, President or Managing Partner.

Building Better Holdings

Founder, Managing Partner • 2024–present

Takes minority stakes in established home services companies and helps owners modernize finance, marketing and operations.

Visit site →

4Privacy

Co-founder, CEO • 2018–2023

Privacy-focused cybersecurity software that protects sensitive data in the public cloud.

Acquired by innerActiv, 2023

Distributed Alpha

Co-founder, Managing Partner • 2017–2018

Investment firm running a crypto arbitrage strategy during the market’s early boom.

Inque

Co-founder, CEO • 2017–2018

Permanent tattoo ink designed to be rendered invisible with a single laser treatment.

Titanium Lacrosse

Founder, CEO • 2008–2015

Grew to the 4th-largest club lacrosse organization in the U.S., with training, athletic development and recruiting services.

Acquired by True Lacrosse, 2015

Bright Discounts

Founder, President • 2002–2009

One of the first U.S. companies to use discount cards to raise money for nonprofits, schools and teams.

Investments

Investor

Venture funds and private companies I’ve invested in.

TRAC

Limited partner • Fund I & II

Venture capital firm that uses predictive data to find investments.

Visit site →

Rebel Fund

Limited partner • Fund I

Venture capital firm focused exclusively on Y Combinator companies.

Visit site →

Clarus R&D

Investor

Fintech company that simplifies R&D tax credits for small and mid-sized businesses.

Acquired by TriNet (NYSE: TNET), 2022
Giving back

Advisor and community

Organizations I advise or have advised, and the lacrosse programs I coached for more than a decade.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Ambassador Council • 2018–present

Supporting research and care at one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals.

Toy Barn

Advisor • 2016–2017

High-end pre-owned vehicle dealership.

Lacrosse coaching

2003–2016

Head Coach at Dublin Jerome HS (2006–2016), Midwest Team Head Coach for Under Armour Lacrosse (2009–2016), one of 20 coaches chosen to evaluate USA Lacrosse U19 tryouts, and Varsity Assistant Coach at Dublin Scioto HS (2003–2005).

Ohio Lacrosse Hall of Fame
About me

Early on the trend, in it for the long run

For more than 25 years I’ve had a knack for spotting opportunities before they go mainstream. Bright Discounts pioneered nonprofit discount cards in the early 2000s. Titanium Lacrosse became one of the largest club programs in the country. I built a crypto arbitrage strategy in 2017, and in 2018 my software company, 4Privacy, set out to protect sensitive data in the public cloud before being acquired.

Today I’m focused on modernizing home services companies through Building Better Holdings, while investing in and advising other founders. Working across so many industries means I bring ideas from one world into another.

Outside of work, I cherish time with my wife and kids. We love decking out for Halloween and Christmas and keeping up with a whirlwind of kids’ activities. I also enjoy golf, skiing, working out, and audiobooks and podcasts on business, investing, psychology and health.

AJ & Maggie Final
Reading list

Books that shaped how I think

The 5 Types of WealthRunnin’ Down a DreamPoor Charlie’s AlmanackThe Book of ElonThe Almanack of Naval RavikantZero to OneBitcoin_ Hard Money You Can’t Fuck With$100M OffersAtomic HabitsInfluenceNever Split the DifferencepresuasionHow to Fuck up Your Startup (1)Think BiglyThe Wires of WarPlay BiggerElon MuskOutliersThe E MythMeasure What MattersPowerfulCrushing ItThe Lean StartupShoe DogBlitzscalingThe 4-hour WorkweekTitanThe Better Angels of our NatureExtreme OwnershipCrossing the ChasmThe Subtle Art of Not Giving a FuckThe Changing World Order
Let’s connect

Building something real?

I want to hear from founders and operators who are already in motion. If you’re building something ambitious and need capital, a partner or a sharp second opinion, bring the plan and the progress.