Core Team
Ryan Waddington
Founding Partner
Ryan has over 20 years of experience in investing, operating and consulting roles in the energy, mobility, manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Ryan has founded, financed and led more than 40 companies at seed, venture and growth equity stages, totaling over $200 million of invested and committed capital.
As founder and General Partner of Huron River Ventures, Ryan leads the only early stage venture firm focused on supporting the entrepreneurs that are using cutting-edge technology to reinvent the industries that define the Midwest. Prior to establishing HRV in 2010, Ryan helped build an energy-focused private equity group within New York-based Ziff Brothers Investments, one of the largest and most successful family office investment firms in the country. There he became part of the core team of investment managers and worked on multiple transactions in sectors including renewables, biofuels, power transmission and advanced materials.
Ryan began his career in venture capital working inside DTE Energy’s corporate venture group, where he led investments in advanced energy technologies. He also established and executed a seed stage funding program at NextEnergy, where he funded several Michigan-based alternative energy companies, and co-founded a “dot com” web portal for outdoor enthusiasts while in business school. Ryan has also worked as a mentor-in-residence at the University of Michigan Office of Technology Transfer; as a venture partner with Arsenal, a Florida-based growth equity firm; and as a venture advisor to Aclaria Partners, a mid-market private equity firm.
Ryan holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and an MBA with Distinction from the Ross School of Business at University of Michigan, where participated in the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise. Ryan currently sits on the advisory board or investment committee of the Wolverine Venture Fund, the Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund, the Erb Institute and Invest Detroit Ventures, and previously served on the board of directors of the Michigan Venture Capital Association.
Noah Yates
Principal
Noah has 4+ years of working experience with a background in finance and consulting.
Noah leads diligence activities for potential investment opportunities at Huron River Ventures. Noah has helped co-found Cowboy Clean Fuels, an HRV-originated renewable natural gas production company, which now has purchased assets, has 10+ full-time employees and has raised ~$3m to date on the way to closing its Series A financing round. Noah has also worked as a financial consultant for Hatch Data and Global Battery Solutions, both of which have been successfully acquired in 2022. Noah currently serves on the Board of Advisors at Virtual Round Ballers, a new VR SportsTech company.
Noah holds a B.A. in Economics from Yale University, where he played varsity football and basketball, as well as an MBA from the University of Richmond, with a concentration in finance. Outside of HRV, Noah is also co-founder of a golf simulator technology & retail business, 3G Golf, that he owns and operates with his family.
Wyatt Yess
Associate
At Huron River Ventures, Wyatt is responsible for evaluating investment opportunities, conducting due diligence, performing financial analysis, and managing portfolio companies. Wyatt has a background in economics and quantitative finance and has held various roles in consulting, finance, and business development.
Wyatt holds a B.A. in Economics from Yale University, where he played varsity basketball, as well as a Master's degree in Asset Management from Yale School of Management.