In this episode of The Shawn Jenkins Podcast, we talked to Steve Swanson. Steve co-founded Automated Trading Desk, a company that pioneered high-frequency trading and disrupted Wall Street. After 12 years of growing the company, he was named president and CEO and increased ATD’s market share to 7% of US daily equity trading volume. In 2007 ATD was sold to Citi Group for $680 million and Steve became global co-head of electronic trading for equities.

Since leaving Citi in 2010, Steve has managed, mentored, and invested in several startups in New York and South Carolina. Steve was named one of the top 10 innovators of the decade by Wall Street Technology for the market changes ATD influenced. He currently serves on several boards, including The Bank of South Carolina and the board of trustees of the College of Charleston.

I first met Steve when he invested in my company in 2001. In our conversation, we cover a wide range of topics, including building and growing ATD, what Steve looks for in an investment, including how he evaluates the many pitches he receives, how and why to join a board, and how he used PR to successfully position his small growing company as a legitimate technology partner for very large enterprises.

We also discuss Steve’s ongoing involvement with the College of Charleston and his involvement with Charleston Angel Partners, their origin, how to pitch your company to them, and how they evaluate potential investments. Please enjoy my conversation with Steve, and if you have questions you’d like covered in future episodes, or recommendations for future guests, please email me at shawnjenkinsblog@gmail.com. Thanks and enjoy.

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