BIO ~ Andrew Ackerman
Head of REACH Labs // Author
Born in Tel Aviv to American parents, Andrew grew up the NYC metro area before getting his BA in Economics & Political Science from Johns Hopkins University and later his MBA in Operations & Marketing from Chicago Booth.
Andrew lives in NYC with his 3 teenage daughters (yes, feel his pain) and speaks Hebrew fluently as well as some Spanish, French, Japanese & JavaScript.
Andrew is a serial entrepreneur turned early-stage investor and innovation expert. He has invested in over 70 startups over the past 2 decades, managed, built, or advised multiple accelerators, incubators and venture studios, and consulted for large corporation on how to create effective corporate venture funds and other innovation strategies.
He is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Sy Syms School of Business. He was previously Managing Director at Dream it Ventures where he launched and built both their Edtech and Urban tech (Protech and Construction) verticals.
Andrew has written over 60 published articles for Fortune, Forbes, Propmodo, CREtech, Builders Online, Architect Magazine, Multifamily Executive, Alley Watch, Ed surge, The 74 million, et. al. and is the author of “The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey.”
Andrew is currently the Strategic Advisor & Head of REACH Labs for Second Century Ventures, the venture arm of the National Association of Realtors. REACH Labs is a platform that helps real estate organizations source innovative startups and present them to their members.
Andrew is also the author of “The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey” (Routledge Press). Described as Lean Startup meets The Alchemist, this textbook-disguised-as-a-novel is what it takes – and what it feels like! – to take an idea to funded startup.
Email Address: andrewbackerman@gmail.com
Company Phone: (917) 478-5838
