Chad Bown

Investor, Advisor

Chad Bown is a Partner and Managing Director at Flathead Forge, where he invests in the infrastructure of the Industrial Supercycle. He partners with founders building the technologies that solve the physical constraints shaping the next industrial era—including energy, water, critical resources, and advanced manufacturing.
Chad brings more than 20 years of institutional investment, corporate development, and leadership experience across the energy, engineering, and defense sectors. Previously, he served as Managing Director of bp Ventures, leading venture investment and portfolio activities across the Americas. His investment experience spans energy transition, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, SaaS, fintech, industrial technology, mobility, and infrastructure. Earlier in his career, Chad held roles with Shell and Jacobs Engineering.

Chad served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He holds a business degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University, and completed executive leadership studies at INSEAD. He was named to the Global Corporate Venturing Powerlist in 2023.