Mario Casabona
Founder and Managi
ng Director
Mario Casabona is a serial entrepreneur and active angel investor. In 2006, he founded Casabona Ventures, investing in over 50 seed stage companies. Investments are currently focused on SpaceTech, Robotics, DefenseTech, DeepTech, MedTech and more broadly Internet of Things (IoT)
In 2011, he founded TechLaunch, NJ’s first tech accelerator whose mission was to identify and nurture early stage tech ventures by mentoring, coaching, and providing access to resources and capital. To date, TechLaunch has supported over 300 tech companies, mentored over 250 budding entrepreneurs and has over 150 Mentors in its network.
Mario is a Board member of Jumpstart NJ Angel Network and Chairman Emeritus (and on the Board) of the R&D Council of New Jersey. In 1982, he founded Electro-Radiation Inc. (ERI), a defense technologies company which was acquired by Honeywell Aerospace Group in 2004. ERI was a developer of Radar, Navigation and Communications equipment for the National and International Defense industry. Mario received the Small Business Administration National Tibbetts Award for his contributions in technology, and was listed as one of the top five most influential persons in New Jersey technology by The Star-Ledger. In 2018 he was awarded The ICON Honors by the NJBIZ Magazine. In 2014 he was named NJ’s Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year He was twice recognized by the TechUnited (was New Jersey Technology Council), in 2013 as the recipient of their Legend of Technology Award and earlier in 2010 with their Financier of the Year Award. He currently serves on the Boards of various for-profit and non-for-profit organizations. He is often quoted in main-stream media and trade outlets, and enjoys being a frequent guest speaker and panelist at University and Professional events.
Mario is an Electrical Engineer and is named in 6 national and 5 international patents in the field of satellite-based navigation and communications. He lives in Essex County, enjoys mentoring, investing in high tech ventures, launching new ventures, vacationing and spending casual time with family and friends in his NY Catskills retreat.