Jeff Freeland Nelson
director of venture investments
Jeff Freeland Nelson is an entrepreneur working at the intersection of kids, creativity, and media innovation. He is an award-winning toy inventor, a seasoned media technology investor, and a podcast host exploring the impact artificial intelligence will have on our children’s future.
As director of venture investments at American Public Media Group, Jeff is responsible for the Horizon Fund, a philanthropic venture capital fund focused on investing in the future of media and journalism.
As an entrepreneur, Jeff founded two nonprofit organizations and a for-profit toy company and supported numerous other startups as an investor, advisor, coach, and board member. His toy company, now called YOX, was featured on the TODAY Show and Fox & Friends with products carried by most major retailers in North America. Jeff is the named inventor on four U.S. patents.
Jeff is also the host of AI-Proof, a podcast for parents and educators about preparing our kids for a future infused with Artificial Intelligence.
Jeff is the recipient of the Catalytic Leader Award from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, a former fellow of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the German Marshall Fund and a Leadership Fellow with the Bush Foundation. He holds a bachelor's degree from Hamline University and a Master in Public Administration (MPA) from the Harvard Kennedy School.