Nathaniel Harding
Managing Partner, Cortado Ventures
Cortado Ventures is an early stage venture capital firm investing in ambitious growth-driven companies to define a new generation of economic prosperity in Oklahoma.
We exist to build a legacy of great technology companies that will add to Oklahoma’s economic renaissance. The companies we invest in on Day 1 will look very different on Day 2. We believe in investing in smart and ambitious entrepreneurs who leverage technology to scale quickly. We target specific industries based on Oklahoma's historical strengths, including Insurtech, Fintech, Biotech, Aerospace, Ag Tech, Medical Devices, Energy Tech, and Weather.
We believe Cortado Ventures is ideally positioned to help entrepreneurs create shared wins. Our greatest strength is our seasoned CEO leadership with each member of the General Partner having successfully led innovative companies through transformation.
Nathaniel Harding is Managing Partner of Cortado Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm investing in growth-driven technology companies. He is also Board Member for Antioch Energy. He is an accomplished senior executive, entrepreneur, technologist, thought leader, and community advocate. Nathaniel was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and a Most Admired CEO in Oklahoma by the Journal Record. Previously, he and his partner developed a midcontinent resource play which they sold in 2013 for $120M. His broad areas of expertise include operational strategy, financial modeling, statistical analysis, leveraging big data, connecting science with commercial strategy, energy, fundraising, and public speaking.
Nathaniel graduated cum laude from the University of Oklahoma with Russian Language and Mechanical Engineering degrees, and earned an MBA from Oklahoma City University. Before turning 30, he was selected to all three “40 under 40” outstanding achiever lists in the state. He is a decorated Air Force Captain and veteran of Afghanistan, where he was embedded with the US/NATO headquarters in collaboration with the Afghan government. Nathaniel has published in multiple industry publications in the US and China, the latter as part of his Beijing-based joint venture with major Chinese companies.
Throughout his career, Nathaniel has collaborated across diverse community networks to solve local challenges. The Governor appointed him Chair of the Council on Workforce and Economic Development, managing $20M/year to train and connect the most vulnerable Oklahomans to employment. In 2010 the Mayor appointed Nathaniel to oversee $777M in city infrastructure and quality-of-life projects. He is a trustee for several organizations impacting education, economic opportunity, health and social equity, in addition to mentoring students in STEM fields. He has been a Miss Oklahoma judge, track national champion, Russian orphanage translator, political party National Vice Chairman, and local TV talk show host.
