Bruce Sommer

Bruce Sommer is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and education. Currently serving as a Venture Partner at Serra Ventures, LLC and Visiting Director of Innovation Strategy at the University of Illinois Springfield, Bruce also founded NextGen Ventures, a family office focusing on innovative impact technologies. As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Hill-Hanover Group, Bruce has invested in sustainable real estate and asset management. Previously, Bruce has held various academic and leadership roles, including Executive-in-Residence at the University of Illinois Springfield and Lecturer at the University of New Hampshire. Bruce's early career involved co-founding Angel Equity, providing business intelligence for early-stage investors, and leadership in the Sangamon CEO program aimed at empowering young talent. Bruce holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University and an MBA in Entrepreneurial Finance from the University of New Hampshire.