Bill Kirsch

Bill Kirsch, Managing Director, with 20 years of experience in venture lending, oversees all aspects of the firm's operations with particular emphasis on new company assessment and transaction structuring. In 1986, Bill co-founded Costella Kirsch (CK) and pioneered the use of bank leverage to build a venture lease portfolio of over $210,000,000 in commitments to over 150 early-stage technology companies. Bill has recruited a strong team and developed streamlined systems and procedures to efficiently document and administer a large venture portfolio, enabling CK to focus its resources on the crucial task of deal assessment. Prior to co-founding CK, Bill headed the western region leasing operation for Rolm Credit Corporation, the vendor-financing arm of Rolm Corporation, where he was the top-volume producer nationwide in 1984 and 1985. Before joining Rolm, he worked in the lease underwriting division of GATX Capital Corporation, structuring and negotiating large, tax-oriented leasing transactions. He is also active in youth sports as a coach and coordinator, and has played a leading role in community-based efforts to improve pedestrian access and safety in West Menlo Park. Bill holds an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA and a BS in Economics from Lehigh University.