Mark Bakken

Background

About Mark Bakken

Mark started HealthX Ventures in 2015, building the firm to 36 portfolio companies with over $4.3B in market value. As a seasoned early-stage operator, Mark has built companies from 0 to 1 with nearly a dozen exits under his belt. He possesses an understanding of early-stage businesses and founder needs that enables him to bring powerful insights to his founding teams. A visionary in the industry, Mark was the first check in on unicorn digital health companies such as Medable and Redox, as well as digital health companies with successful exits including Sanvello and CareSignal. A serial entrepreneur-turned-investor, Mark has founded and sold three businesses firsthand. Mark’s most recent exit was also his foray into healthcare in 2010. He built Nordic Consulting from $0 to $130M in under five years. Nordic remains the largest firm of ex-Epic talent in the world, is ranked #1 in KLAS, and is an Inc. Magazine Fastest Growing Company with over employees. Nordic was recently sold for >$400M. An early computer science graduate, Mark began his career in software in the 1980s and served on the partner advisory councils for Bill Gates (Microsoft – 7 years), Eric Schmidt (Novell, later Google), and Scott McNealy (Sun Microsystems). Mark’s first company, Goliath Networks, was recognized by Microsoft, Novell, and Sun as their largest regional partner and was named to Inc. Magazine’s Fastest Growing Companies list. His second company, Bedrock (founded 2004, acquired 2008), was a managed services company recommended by Microsoft, IDC, and The New York Times for its innovative business model that delivered quick wins for customers and software companies alike. In recognition of his impact, the City of Madison declared November 6, 2023, as “Mark Bakken Day.” In 2024, Mark was inducted into the Wisconsin Technology Council’s Investor Hall of Fame and honored with the UW–Madison Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Award. These accolades celebrate Mark’s transformational impact on the Wisconsin startup community, where he has invested in over 130 startups, his leadership at HealthX Ventures, and his unwavering support for other entrepreneurs. Mark is a supporter of several initiatives including the Black Business Hub, the University of Wisconsin, The Center for Black Excellence and Culture, the Madison College South Campus Entrepreneur Center, and the Madison Chamber of Commerce. A serial marathoner and former D1 Big Ten athlete, Mark enjoys the outdoors, boating, and spending time with his wife and adult children.