TEAM

ANDREW ENGRAM
​Co-Founder & Managing Partner

LISA YU
​Co-Founder & Managing Partner

With a background of managing large international projects in oil & gas, Andrew Engram understands what it takes to win. After several years of working in corporate oil & gas, he decided to embark down a different path and founded Lightning Rod Ventures to offer value to startup companies in the form of business coaching and mentoring. He understands that there is no recipe for success and that every situation needs its own strategy. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA in Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship from the Rady School of Management at UC-San Diego.​

With 15 years of experience in tech, Lisa Yu has launched award winning consumer electronics, software, mobile apps, websites, e-commerce sites, API products, marketplaces, and enterprise SaaS solutions. After a decade of working in startups, she decided to embark on a journey to coach entrepreneurs all the skills she has acquired from startup life. Her passions include scaling operations, automating systems, and tackling industries that need technology such as automotive, insurance, and real estate. Lisa holds a BBA in Management Information Systems with Business Honors from the University of Texas at Austin.

Playing football at Texas A&M, Mr. Engram learned that team success is contingent on everyone on that team buying into the mission of the team. At Lightning Rod Ventures, we will coach entrepreneurs to completely buy into the mission of their company with perseverance and determination to handle the challenges ahead.

Ms. Yu was a coach and MVP of the Texas Crew Rowing Team. In sports, you embrace failure but train to win. We apply the same disciplines in training to run a startup and aim for success. In our Lightning Rod Accelerator Program, you will develop the mind of a champion and the leadership skills to lead an organization.