The Partners are highly skilled and experienced in launching new businesses and developing successful concepts from inception to ultimate success. The Partners set the overall strategy for Ignite and for our clients and companies.

Landon Pollack
Managing Partner

Landon Pollack has crossed traditional frontiers to achieve a 360-degree view of business. He has been, at different times, an athlete, an entrepreneur, a herpetologist, inventor, social activist, investor and sports manager.

Pollack is an entrepreneur of 25 years.  His foundation for success was established during his time training to play professional baseball. Pollack has been a founder of, or founding investor in, more than two dozen companies. Before turning 20, he had started four businesses, earning his first million dollars at 13 selling sports memorabilia by mail order (Baseball Fanatics). Pollack went on to start a sports memorabilia and apparel store (Princeton Sports Corner) at 14. Then, at 16, as a certified personal trainer, he launched a personal training studio (Pollack's Personal Training Studio). At 18, he launched an exotic animal business/rescue center (Exotic Reptiles). In the ensuing 15 years, some of his ventures have included health clubs (Firm Fitness), a beverage company (Juice Bowl), a multi-media company (ClubCom), a robotically-controlled exercise system (Intelligent Health), a coaching and lifestyle company (Personalized Lifestyle Programs), a cable company (Cable Satisfaction), a non-alcoholic beverage conglomerate (Liboza Holdings, Inc.), a chain of yoga studios (Vitalize Studios), a telecom company (Uniconnexions), and a social networking company (WeMeUs).

As the founder and Managing Partner of Ignite Venture Partners, Pollack has brought together consulting, capital and concept incubation under one organization. In addition to his experience as an entrepreneur and investor, he has served as a strategist, coach, and consultant to a variety of organizations of all sizes and across all sectors. Pollack's specific areas of expertise include strategy, business planning, human capital, capital raising, new product development and innovation, business development and team and board building.  

As an animal and environmental advocate, Pollack co-founded Zoe, an integrated media organization for a mainstream audience that cares about animals and the world of nature, and StubbyDog, a transmedia organization focused on changing public perception of pit bulls.

Additionally, Pollack serves on numerous for-profit and non-profit boards.

Cary Pollack
Partner

Cary Pollack has earned an excellent reputation over his 40-year career in finance for integrity, honesty, and results. Most notably, his relationship-building skills have been successfully applied in mentoring and coaching senior executives, raising capital, negotiations, sales, and asset gathering. He also excels at strategy development for early stage and mature companies. Pollack has held positions with Bear Stearns, Credit Suisse First Boston, and Lehman Brothers. For the past fifteen years, he has been a private investor. He has also served on the boards of both public and private companies.  

Pollack has a BA from Lehman College of New York (formerly Hunter College) and a Masters of International Affairs/Diplomacy from Columbia University.

Eric V. Trappen
Partner

Eric V. Trappen has 20 years of distinct professional experience and demonstrated expertise in strategic planning and corporate leadership across all functions. Trappen's background includes a deep and diverse academic career, hands on experience across many industries, and collaboration with all levels of corporate citizens, including extensive work at the "C-level." Trappen has assisted companies from initial concept to the Fortune 5. His previous experience includes positions with Salomon Smith Barney, Deloitte Consulting, Tpresence; a technology start-up, and GenXL; a boutique Venture Capital firm and in addition, Trappen has also operated an independent consulting practice.  

Trappen has Bachelor Degrees in Mathematics, Finance, Business and Econometrics, as well as a Masters Degree in Business (MBA) and a MS in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University.