John Cambier is a seasoned venture capital investor and financial executive based in Durham, North Carolina, with over 25 years of experience in the technology investment ecosystem. Currently serving as Chief Financial Officer and Partner at IDEA Fund Partners, John brings extensive expertise in early-stage investments across software, tech-enabled services, Healthcare IT, and DeepTech sectors.
John's career at IDEA Fund Partners spans more than 18 years where he was a cofounder. He previously held the position of Managing Partner from 2007 to 2023 before transitioning to his current CFO role. His impressive investment portfolio includes numerous successful ventures such as Social Solutions, Sense Photonics, Payzer, Biospatial, Fenris Digital and RightRev. Beyond capital investment, John frequently takes active board positions to provide strategic guidance to portfolio companies
Complementing his work at IDEA Fund Partners, John maintains multiple concurrent roles that showcase his versatility in the financial and entrepreneurial landscape. He serves as the CFO at HALO Hydration, Administrator for the RTP Angel Fund, and operates OSGAR, LLC, providing strategic CFO and advisory services. Most recently, he joined Conductor Capital as an Investor and Advisor in 2024, further expanding his influence in the investment community.
John's commitment to fostering innovation extends to his 13-year tenure with NC IDEA, where he served as both CFO & Secretary (2005-2013) and Venture Advisor (2005-2018). At NC IDEA, he managed corporate finance and accounting functions while also helping select and mentor grant winners, further solidifying his role in nurturing early-stage companies in North Carolina. Prior to these roles, John built a strong foundation in technology commercialization and business development at MCNC and the MCNC Research & Development Institute, where he held progressively responsible positions culminating as CFO. This multifaceted background provided him with valuable insights into technology transfer and innovation ecosystems that continue to inform his investment approach.
John holds an MBA in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School and a BA in International Relations from Michigan State University. His unique combination of financial expertise, operational experience, and investment vision has
established him as a respected leader in the Research Triangle's vibrant entrepreneurial community.