Freddie Martignetti (MBA 2011)

When it comes to the potential for joining forces across Harvard University, Freddie Martignetti (MBA 2011) has an entrepreneur’s vision. “We’re just beginning to scratch the surface,” says Martignetti, a principal at Highland Capital Partners, who in honor of his 5th Reunion established a fund to support the Harvard i-lab, the Harvard Launch Lab, and other HBS programs specifically fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.

Martignetti believes his ties to both Harvard College and HBS may give him “a broader Harvard view. The overall purpose of a great university,” he offers, “is not only to turn out specialists but also to educate men and women who can discover connections between different fields of knowledge, and build those synergies into businesses with a powerful positive impact.”

In his venture capital work at Highland Capital, just as in his previous role as the founding partner of Suffolk Equity Partners, Martignetti enjoys the passion that young entrepreneurs—many of them HBS graduates—bring to their endeavors. “I like working with teams intent on pushing to make their industries better, not just on building their own businesses,” says Martignetti, who is a mentor in HBS’s Rock Accelerator program.

Philanthropy and community service are priorities for Martignetti. He is an active volunteer in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay and a volunteer mentor for MassChallenge, a not-for-profit accelerator that helps entrepreneurs across all industries. He says his recent role as reunion gift cochair helped him stay in touch with classmates who share his enthusiasm for the School. “I think a lot of us are committed to making sure that Harvard stays at the tip of the spear in terms of innovation and education excellence.”

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