Felipe Mendoza is the Managing Director of Aristos Ventures, a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage technology companies in Texas. He has led investments in Edgetensor, Nesh, Traxo, Avata Intelligence, CloudCoreo (acquired by VMware), JamKazam, Netsocket (acquired by iPhotonix), Nimbix, and Theatro. Prior to founding Aristos Ventures in 2012, Felipe led the early stage technology investments for the $200 million ORIX Texas Technology & Infrastructure Fund. Felipe joined ORIX from GLP Advisors, a Sevin Rosen affiliate and previously co-founded TAC Portfolio Advisors. Felipe was formerly with Silver Creek Ventures, an early stage, venture capital firm where he was the CFO and Associate. Silver Creek Ventures has invested in companies such as MetroPCS (IPO then acquired by T-Mobile), ONI Systems (IPO then acquired by Ciena), Alteon WebSystems (IPO then acquired by Nortel Networks).Prior to Silver Creek Ventures, Felipe held management and engineering positions at Cisco Systems, Monterey Networks (acquired by Cisco), Flextronics, Boehringer Mannheim (acquired by Roche Diagnostics), Alcatel-Lucent, and DSC Communications (acquired by Alcatel). Felipe has been involved in the development of products ranging from optical routers and networking equipment to diabetes monitors and container tracking systems.Felipe has a diverse background having been involved in all facets of the early stage capital experience – from employment at technology start-ups to venture capital funds. He has firsthand experience as an engineer in helping to grow a successful venture-backed startup, Monterey Networks, from an early stage company until its acquisition by Cisco Systems for $501 million in 1999.Felipe received an MBA from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University. He is a frequent guest speaker at SMU and has been the industry mentor for the SMU Business Plan Competition since 2008. He holds 6 patents.