Hunter Hillenmeyer

Hunter Hillenmeyer is a General Partner at Company Ventures, where he leads early-stage investing across the Southeast and helps founders build category-defining technology companies from the earliest stages.

Before joining Company Ventures, Hunter was a Partner at Next Legacy, a $3B venture firm and fund of funds where he managed the firm's Midwest and Southeastern presence, sourced direct investments, and co-hosted the firm's Next Legacy Perspectives podcast. 

Hunter's path to venture is unconventional. He spent eight seasons in the NFL as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears, served on the NFLPA Board of Directors, and developed a player's perspective on resilience, team-building, and high-stakes decision-making — instincts that shape how he partners with founders today. When evaluating new opportunities, he looks for grit, curiosity, and strong conviction in founders who have a clear bias toward action.

He earned his BA from Vanderbilt University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and completed his MBA at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management during the home stretch of his NFL career.

Hunter lives in Nashville and is uniquely passionate about helping the city reach its full potential as a tech hub. He sees Company Ventures as the perfect vehicle to do exactly that. Hunter lives near Vandy with his wife Shannon, and his three favorite startups: daughters Harper, Brynn, and Lyla.