Robert Mantella
Chairman
Robert Mantella began his career at Mantella Corporation in 1993, working alongside his father and then-President, Paul Mantella. Tasked with serving as a liaison between the firm and the rapidly evolving real estate landscape, Robert stepped into the business at a time when the industry was undergoing significant transformation. The dynamics between commercial real estate agents and landlords were shifting, and the rise of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) was enabling broader public investment in real estate, fundamentally changing the traditional developer model established by Robert’s grandfather nearly five decades earlier.
Recognizing these changes, Robert focused on diversifying the company’s holdings and identifying new avenues for growth. He leveraged strong relationships with financial institutions and industrial, commercial, and investment brokers to strategically realign the company’s asset portfolio and ensure Mantella Corporation remained well-positioned for the future.
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In 2008, Robert initiated a bold expansion into the tech sector by founding Mantella Venture Partners, in partnership with Basecamp Labs. With trusted advisors Robin Axon and Duncan Hill, the fund began investing up to $500,000 in high-potential startups in the mobile and Internet software space. Inspired in part by observing his three teenage children’s intuitive use of technology and their engagement with mobile platforms and social media, Robert saw a unique opportunity to help shape the future of digital innovation.Within its first year, Mantella Venture Partners backed 60 talented entrepreneurs, including a notable exit to Google valued at $25 million