Auld Ventures
AJ Auld
Entrepreneur, operator and investor. I build, back and advise businesses, and I’m always glad to meet founders and owners who are building something.
25+ years in business • 6 companies founded • 2 acquisitions
What I do
Operate. Invest. Advise.
Auld Ventures is my holding company. Everything I do professionally runs through it: operating businesses, investing in companies and funds, and advising other founders and owners.
Operate
I founded Building Better Holdings in 2024 to partner with established home services companies, bringing growth capital, operational expertise and modern AI tools while keeping what already works.
Invest
I invest directly in private companies and as a limited partner in venture funds, including TRAC and Rebel Fund. One of my direct investments, Clarus R&D, was acquired by TriNet in 2022.
Advise
I work with founders and business owners on growth, operations and exits, drawing on more than 25 years of starting, scaling and selling companies.
Track record
Operator
Companies I founded or co-founded and led as CEO, President or Managing Partner.
Building Better Holdings
Holding company that partners with and grows home services businesses.
4Privacy
Privacy-focused cybersecurity software that protects sensitive data in the public cloud.
Acquired by innerActiv, 2023
Distributed Alpha
Investment firm running a crypto arbitrage strategy during the market’s early boom.
Inque
Permanent tattoo ink designed to be rendered invisible with a single laser treatment.
Titanium Lacrosse
Grew to the 4th-largest club lacrosse organization in the U.S., with training, athletic development and recruiting services.
Acquired by True Lacrosse, 2015
Bright Discounts
One of the first U.S. companies to use discount cards to raise money for nonprofits, schools and teams.
Investments
Investor
Venture funds and private companies I’ve invested in.
Clarus R&D
Fintech company that simplifies R&D tax credits for small and mid-sized businesses.
Acquired by TriNet (NYSE: TNET), 2022
Giving back
Advisor and community
Organizations I advise or have advised, and the lacrosse programs I coached for more than a decade.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Supporting research and care at one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals.
Toy Barn
High-end pre-owned vehicle dealership.
Lacrosse coaching
Head Coach at Dublin Jerome HS (2006–2016), Midwest Team Head Coach for Under Armour Lacrosse (2009–2016), one of 20 coaches chosen to evaluate USA Lacrosse U19 tryouts, and Varsity Assistant Coach at Dublin Scioto HS (2003–2005).
Ohio Lacrosse Hall of Fame
About me
Early on the trend, in it for the long run
For more than 25 years I’ve had a knack for spotting opportunities before they go mainstream. Bright Discounts pioneered nonprofit discount cards in the early 2000s. Titanium Lacrosse became one of the largest club programs in the country. I built a crypto arbitrage strategy in 2017, and in 2018 my software company, 4Privacy, set out to protect sensitive data in the public cloud before being acquired.
Today I’m focused on modernizing home services companies through Building Better Holdings, while investing in and advising other founders. Working across so many industries means I bring ideas from one world into another.
Outside of work, I cherish time with my wife and kids. We love decking out for Halloween and Christmas and keeping up with a whirlwind of kids’ activities. I also enjoy golf, skiing, working out, and audiobooks and podcasts on business, investing, psychology and health.
Reading list
Books that shaped how I think
Let’s connect
Whether you’re looking for an investor or advisor, thinking about the future of your home services business, or just want to compare notes, I’d like to hear from you.