Navitas Capital is a venture capital firm focused on investing in technology for the built environment.
Our mission is to identify, invest in, and help build the next generation of defining companies in Real Estate and Construction.
Meet the Team
Jim Pettit
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Jim Pettit
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Jim Pettit is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Navitas Capital. He currently serves as either a board director or observer on a number of boards, including Optimum Energy, Gridium, Enmetric Systems, Lunera Lighting, and Sustainability Roundtable. Prior to Co-Founding Navitas, Jim was a Principal a Bancroft Capital, a real estate investment firm located in California, and a Managing Partner at JP Morgan (Hambrecht & Quist). Jim received a bachelor’s degree from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley with an emphasis on Finance and Real Estate.
Travis Putnam
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Travis Putnam
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Travis Putnam is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Navitas Capital. His current investments include HqO, Bowery, Sweeten, Truss, Gridium, Matterport and PlanGrid. Travis holds a degree in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in Finance.
Gary Dillabough
Managing Partner
Gary Dillabough
Managing Partner
Gary Dillabough is Managing Partner at Navitas Capital. Gary currently serves as either a board director or observer on several boards, including View Glass, Lunera Lighting, Building Robotics, Honest Buildings and MyHealthTeams. He was previously a board member of SCL Elements (Schneider Electric). Before Navitas, Gary was a Managing Partner at the Westly Group where he led the Smart Buildings and Energy Efficiency Practice. Prior to joining Westly, Gary served in numerous roles at eBay for 10 years, General Manager of Sustainability was his final position. Prior to eBay, Gary served in management roles at Visto Corporation (now Good Technology), Improvenet and Media Arts Group. Gary received a bachelor’s of science degree in Civil Engineering from the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
William Busch
VP, Operations
William Busch
VP, Operations
William Busch is the Vice President of Operations for Navitas Capital. Prior to Navitas, William was a project manager for a solar energy solution provider, PSOMASFMG and co-founded a consumer product start-up. Before obtaining his MBA from ESADE, William worked as an Operations Manager and Senior Consultant for BearingPoint and worked at the US Department of Commerce, Office of the Under Secretary, Technology and Entrepreneurism. William received a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University.
Emily Zhang
Associate
Emily Zhang
Associate
Emily Zhang is an Associate for Navitas Capital. Prior to Navitas, Emily was an Analyst for Broadhaven Capital Partners, an investment bank in New York. Prior to Broadhaven, Emily worked for New Holland Capital and Pharus Advisors. Emily received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Columbia University, graduating magna cum laude.
Madison Gesser
Analyst
Madison Gesser
Analyst
Madison Gesser is an Analyst for Navitas. Prior to joining the firm, Madison was a Real Estate Summer Analyst with the BlackStone Group and interned with one of Navitas’ portfolio companies, PeerStreet. Madison received his Bachlelor’s degree from the University of Southern California in Economics and Finance.
“PlanGrid has some pretty high profile investors, but none have been more helpful in connecting us to forward thinking builders than Navitas.”
Ryan Sutton-Gee. Cofounder & CEO at PlanGrid
“In a sea of me-too investors, Navitas stands as an independent thinker with deep and knowledgeable convictions about the market. We met at formation stage, and they have been the ideal partner to help us build Gridium from concept to rapid revenue growth.”
Tom Arnold, CEO, Gridium
“Jim and Travis have deep knowledge and contacts in the built space, and they truly go the extra mile for their portfolio companies.”