Background
Steve Lux is responsible for the overall operations of Topmark Partners, which includes sourcing, underwriting, and executing the firm’s growth equity investments. He is based in our Tampa, Florida headquarters.
Prior to Topmark, Steve was the founding partner of Stonehenge Capital’s Florida Fund in 1998. His team established a track record of investments in 17 growth-stage businesses located in the Sunshine State.
Previously, Steve spent 17 years with Bank One and its predecessor in Dallas, where he led a team of commercial lenders that focused and originated over $500 MM of middle market buyouts and financed technology enabled businesses. He later joined Bank One’s Capital Markets Group where he originated venture capital, private equity and corporate finance transactions throughout Texas and the Southwest.
Steve earned a B.A. in Economics at Tulane University and an MBA from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University.
Investment Experience
Presently, Steve serves on the board of directors of STRAX Intelligence, Choice Legal, K4Connect, GTR, Vū Technologies, Zaloni (observer), RideHealth (observer) and Thrive (observer). He formerly served on the board of directors or as an observer of AuthenTec, EDR, Image Guided Neurologics, MobileHelp, Omni-ID, Payspan, and RedVector. He resigned from these boards in conjunction with AuthenTec’s successful IPO and the successful acquisitions of EDR, Image Guided Neurologics, MobileHelp, Omni-ID, Payspan and RedVector.
Ecosystem Engagement
Steve is active in the regional venture investing community. He is a former chairman of Florida Venture Forum, and chaired the selection committee for Florida Venture Forum’s annual conference for more than a decade. During his tenure as chairman of the selection committee, 152 companies presented and raised in excess of $450 million. He also serves on the Board of Fellows and College of Business’s Entrepreneurship Program committee at the University of Tampa. He has guest-lectured at Tulane University, University of Tampa and University of South Florida and served on various panels discussing venture capital related topics across the state. His past board memberships include Tampa Bay Technology Forum and the local chapter of Association of Corporate Growth.