Connar Benson-Epstein

Based In:

Knoxville, TN

Connar Benson-Epstein joined GSV in 2018 and plays a key role in sourcing investments and supporting M&A strategies across the firm’s portfolio.

About

Connar Benson-Epstein joined GSV in 2018 and plays a key role in sourcing and evaluating investments, and supporting M&A strategies across the firm’s portfolio. With a background that spans venture capital, private equity, and strategy consulting, he brings a balanced perspective to sourcing opportunities and building enduring partnerships.

Connar is passionate about working with world-class founders who are shaping the future through innovation and execution. Guided by a belief that great investing is as much about patience as performance, he values integrity, alignment, and long-term thinking over short-term wins. At GSV, he continues to champion the firm’s founder-first philosophy—partnering with entrepreneurs not to change how they build, but to help them go further, faster.

Before joining GSV, Connar earned a dual-Masters in International Business and Finance from the Hult International Business School.

Q&A

What advice would you give your younger self?

The best companies are not usually for sale.

What do you wish more founders knew before taking on capital?

We want to partner with you because we believe in the way you’re building your business—not because we think our way is better.

What’s a deal or decision you learned the most from—and why?

In the post-COVID era, many firms chased growth deals at unsustainable valuations. While it was frustrating at times on the business development team, our partners made disciplined decisions not to pursue those “shiny new toys.” Looking back, that discipline was invaluable—it reinforced the importance of patience and long-term thinking.