Chart Westcott
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Ikarian Capital, LLC
Experience
Chart Westcott is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Ikarian Capital, LLC, a long/short equity biotech focused investment adviser.
In 2007, Chart Westcott graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in history. Upon graduating, Chart worked as an analyst at his family office while attending Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. During his time at SMU, Chart concentrated on corporate transactions and tax law, until graduating in 2011. After passing the Texas Bar, Westcott continued to work at Westcott LLC, as general counsel and managing partner. Today, Chart works full time at Ikarian Capital, LLC as COO and is no longer involved in the day to day operations of Westcott LLC.
Westcott LLC primarily focuses on investments in real estate and tech venture capital. Westcott LLC has managed a variety of venture investments, of which have included Internet America, one of the nation’s largest regional Internet Service Providers (ISP) and Digital Witness, a leading provider of digital surveillance solutions. Digital Witness was sold to Westec in 2007 for $32.5 million. Most notably, in 1986 Westcott LLC founded Westcott Communications, the premier company for delivery of video training programs via satellite. The company went public in 1989, and was sold in 1996 to K-III Holdings, Inc.
Westcott LLC is currently involved in a variety of augmented reality and artificial intelligence companies, thanks to the efforts of Chart’s brother, Court Westcott. As a private investor, Chart Westcott invested in a variety of industries including augmented reality, real estate, technology, artificial intelligence, and computer vision.
“If you’re willing to work hard and you follow your passions, you can achieve incredible things.”
Philanthropy
Chart Westcott also presides as Chairman of the Westcott Foundation, a private foundation that focuses on improving education and economic conditions in Dallas, TX through grants. Chart Westcott previously served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas, Advocacy Committee of the United Way Metropolitan Dallas. Westcott was also the Founder of JFKDAY, a day of volunteerism that he organized to commemorate the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s tragic assassination in Dallas. He also led efforts to pass Alicia’s Law in Texas, serving as the Texas Chairman of Protect.org, a pro-child anti-crime advocacy group.
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