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Sherman Williams II

Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AIN Ventures; former Naval Intelligence Officer and healthcare-tech M&A investment banker, now a veteran-first dual-use tech investor.

Sherman Williams II is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AIN Ventures (Academy Investor Network), which he built alongside co-founder Emily McMahan into a seed-stage venture firm pairing traditional venture investing with an invite-only syndicate of U.S. Service Academy graduates. He began his career as a Naval Intelligence Officer after earning a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, later completing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Before venture investing, he spent six years as a Healthcare Technology M&A Investment Banker. He has served as VC-in-Residence for multiple Techstars programs and is a Kauffman Fellow (Class 26), completing his fellowship at AIN Ventures under mentor Arvind Gupta. At AIN, he focuses on dual-use technology investing across space, defense, and healthcare technology, with an emphasis on backing U.S. Service Academy graduates and military veterans.

Overview

Role
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, AIN Ventures
Based in
New York, NY
Prior experience
U.S. Navy (Naval Intelligence Officer)

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Affiliated funds1

Frequently asked

Who is Sherman Williams II?
Sherman Williams II is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AIN Ventures (Academy Investor Network), which he built alongside co-founder Emily McMahan into a seed-stage venture firm pairing traditional venture investing with an invite-only syndicate of U.S. Service Academy graduates. He began his career as a Naval Intelligence Officer after earning a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, later completing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Before venture investing, he spent six years as a Healthcare Technology M&A Investment Banker. He has served as VC-in-Residence for multiple Techstars programs and is a Kauffman Fellow (Class 26), completing his fellowship at AIN Ventures under mentor Arvind Gupta. At AIN, he focuses on dual-use technology investing across space, defense, and healthcare technology, with an emphasis on backing U.S. Service Academy graduates and military veterans.
What is Sherman Williams II's role?
Sherman Williams II is Co-Founder & Managing Partner, AIN Ventures, based in New York, NY.
Where did Sherman Williams II work before?
Sherman Williams II's prior roles include U.S. Navy (Naval Intelligence Officer).

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Sources & citations3

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  1. 1

    Sherman Williams II is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AIN Ventures, alongside co-founder Emily McMahan, focused on dual-use technology investments in space technology, healthcare technology, and other frontier sectors

    AIN Ventures: Team — AIN Ventures
    Verified2026-08-11
  2. 2

    Sherman Williams II is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AIN Ventures; began his career as a Naval Intelligence Officer, holds a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and spent six years as a Healthcare Technology M&A Investment Banker before transitioning to venture investing

    Kauffman Fellows: Sherman Williams II | Directory | Kauffman Fellows
    Reported2026-08-11
  3. 3

    Sherman Williams II is described as a veteran-first venture investor at AIN Ventures who focuses on backing U.S. Service Academy graduates and military veterans

    VC Sheet: Sherman Williams (AIN Ventures) — VC Breakdown & Contact
    Reported2026-08-11