Andy Ziolkowski

Q. What's your story?

A. 

I was born in England to parents who emigrated there from Poland & Hungary after the end of World War II. We came to the US when I when I was four years old. I grew up in a poor neighborhood with plenty of hard working immigrant families and I started my professional career as a researcher in the aerospace field. After that industry retrenched in the late seventies I went back to business school to reinvent myself. I accidentally landed in the venture capital field in 1981 as a result of a casual conversation with my academic advisor during our walk from the squash courts. It has been thirty years and I haven’t looked back.

Q. What inspires you?

A. 

I think I have stayed in this field because of the people. Entrepreneurs are by their nature creative individuals who are risk takers and don’t take no for an answer very easily. The opportunity to work with the companies they form, assisting the management teams in the early phases of their development is what gives me the most enjoyment. The financial returns are good, too!

Q. Why Sandbox?

A. 

This was an opportunity for us to create a best of breed VC firm to invest in food & agriculture. Given the Sandbox team, it was an easy decision to partner with this outstanding group.

Q. Where can we find you outside of work?

A. 

It depends on the seasons, but it is either on the water or in the mountains. Tennis, skiing, and sailing are big activities, as well as spending time with the family.