Kirby Harris

Expert Profile

Venture | Finance | Strategy

Venture Capital and Private Equity leader with 20+ years of experience investing and advising companies through capital strategy, operational scaling, and critical inflection points. Excels at developing capital structures which deliver long-term value to investors and other stakeholders.

Areas of Expertise

Founders Raising Capital
Design innovative structures that align incentives and foster mutually beneficial scenarios. Entrepreneurs can tap into sources of capital beyond traditional bank debt and venture capital, which come with the burden of liability or the pressure to prioritize exponential growth.

Capital Structure
Capital is as adaptable as the individuals crafting the strategy. I can create a capital structure that is effective for both current needs and future growth.

Fundraising Strategy & Messaging
Tailor your messaging and pitch materials to resonate with your target investors.

Investor Capital Raising
Provide strategic insights on raising capital for venture funds, special purpose vehicles, and other alternative investment vehicles.

Company Formation & Business Strategy
Assist in establishing a business framework and strategic plan that aligns with your vision, positioning your company for sustainable growth.

$450 /HR

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More About the Expert:

Kirby D. Harris is co-founder and Managing Partner of Base Ventures, where he’s invested in over 120 early-stage companies, including unicorns Gecko Robotics, 6Sense, and Genies. A Morehouse College graduate and Kauffman Fellow, he was previously Vice President at a boutique private equity firm. With two decades of investing experience, he is known for his financial acumen and strategic clarity. Kirby has a track record of identifying and supporting ambitious founders as they scale bold ideas into enduring companies. His hands-on approach combines private equity rigor with venture capital agility, providing founding teams with operational guidance, strategic capital structuring, and governance expertise throughout every growth phase.

Before founding Base Ventures, Kirby spent nearly a decade as Vice President at Impact Capital Management, a private equity firm focused on Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) aligned investments in underserved communities. During his tenure he developed his ability to identify value across diverse sectors and execute complex transactions. He led the acquisition and operation of 42 Blockbuster Video franchise locations across Alaska and Texas, generating a 3x return between 2000-2008 that was restructured for optimal internal rate of return (IRR) and early management liquidity. Building on this success, he expanded into multi-unit franchise acquisitions with 27 Taco Bell locations and consumer brand development. His strategic pivot to project finance culminated in the development of a cheese manufacturing facility in California, delivering an impressive 5x return on investment and demonstrating his versatility across asset classes and investment strategies.

A graduate of Morehouse College with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Concentration in Marketing, Kirby earned his MBA in Finance from California State University, Hayward, where he was selected for a transformative 5-month study abroad program at Middlesex University in London. This international experience broadened his perspective on global markets and cross-cultural business development, insights he brings to his investment strategy and portfolio company guidance. His selection as a Kauffman Fellow in 2016 recognized him as one of 42 investors globally acknowledged for leadership, impact, and commitment to advancing the future of venture capital.

“Problems are opportunities in work cloths” – Henry Ford

Kirby Harris

Venture | Finance | Strategy