Bio

Jan-Dirk is a partner and co-founder of Pondera and is responsible for evaluating potential investment opportunities and managing portfolio companies at a board level. He began his career in 1991 at global options market making firm, Chicago Research and Trading, in the T-Bond options pit of the Chicago Board of Trade. From 1992 until 1997, Jan-Dirk was integral in launching a trading operation at one of the first electronic options and futures exchanges, Eurex (formerly DTB). He was elected and served as the youngest member of its Exchange Council. Jan-Dirk left NationsBank Europe in 1997 to co-found CMT Trading Group at the age of 26 with Scott Casto. Launched as a proprietary derivatives trading firm, CMT has evolved into an alternative asset manager with portfolio investments spanning public and private equity, derivatives, debt, real estate, technology, and digital currency. Notable exits include Dollar Shave Club and Dash Financial. An early adopter of emerging technologies and a firm believer in diversity, CMT has operated in many different countries as a valued business partner to numerous exchanges, clearing firms, trading and investment teams. Jan-Dirk currently serves on the boards of Avanti Equine Veterinary Partners, CandyCo, Literacy Resources, Wag'n Tails Mobile Conversions, Tempel, and CMT Trading Group.