Alex Furmansky - Here's the scoop

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Hi, I'm Alex :)
I like tech, sailing, random walks through the city, biking through vineyards, creative cooking, staring at airplanes, and impromptu whiteboarding.

After successfully selling Budsies, I am:
Publicly building my next venture (see projects below, and my substack)
Building community with intention of meeting my life cofounder (insta)
Using surfing as an excuse to see the world
I founded Budsies, Sparkology, and a handful of web apps. Budsies is a SaaS manufacturing play with multiple DTC brands, including the flagship namesake that brings kids' artwork to life through adorable stuffed animals (exited 2021). Sparkology was an invite-only dating app for well-intentioned singles (exited 2016).

Before the leap, I traveled the world to sell consumer tech for OpenPeak. I also helped raise a few pennies and learned how growth companies run. I know finance is out of fashion, but I’m proud of my Evercore finTech M&A beginnings. I’ve also worked at UBS, Lockheed Martin, and consulted other startups both formally and on park benches (preferred).

I learned to dream big at UPenn and Wharton.
CV
Magnetic Ventures
June 2022 - Present
Some of our projects:
SideCoach.ai (Oct '24)
OneCircle.ai (Aug '24)
GetLifted.ai (Jun '24)
MediaShift.ai (Nov '23)
AudioShift.ai (Jun '23)
SkimIt.ai (Jan '23)
AI Esther Perel (SMS-based Therapy, Nov '22)
Also:
AI advisory for entrepreneurs and business leaders
Direct strategic investment ($25K-$75K) in early stage growth companies
Budsies, Petsies, Stuffed Animal Pros (Sold)
2013-2021
Built successful consumer brand for custom plush. Includes Budsies (custom plush of any character), Selfies (custom plush dolls of people), and Petsies (custom plush lookalikes of pets), Stuffed Animal Pros (bulk custom plush for brands and book authors). Everything is powered by MakerWare, the in house SaaS manufacturing platform that enables global one-off production at scale.

Over 150,000 custom custom plushies have been created, and the company has been featured on Shark Tank, NY Times, Parents Magazine and countless other media outlets.

Grew the company from ideation on back of napkin to become the world's largest and fastest on-demand custom plush service. We have an incredible team that is building an awesome 21st century bespoke brand.
Sparkology (Sold)
2011-2016
New York's invite-only dating site for young professionals. With over 20,000 members, Sparkology set a new standard for singles. Sold business in 2016.
OpenPeak
2009-2011
Director of Business Development
Innovative technology company at the crossroads of media and communication.
Evercore Partners Investment Bank
2007-2009
M&A investment banking focused on the financial technology space, including the $2.55 billion dollar deal between E*TRADE and Citadel as well as the deal between NY Stock Exchange and NYFIX.
Other Projects

Swacket: iOS Weather App (Advisor)
EasyBib: #1 online bibliography service (Advisor)
AutoP.in: show off your whip; the About.Me for cars
TrueContractor: find trusted local contractors based on referrals from your extended social network
Free Advice Project: intentionally offline social project that engaged local communities in cities across the US
Board Positions & Memberships
EO Member
South Florida Penn Club - President
Wharton Club of South Florida - Executive Board