John Martinson has been a venture capitalist for 40 years, participating in more than 200 equity financings and serving as a director of 55 companies. He is well known in the software industry, Mid-Atlantic region business community, and nationally in the private equity industry.

Martinson Ventures makes investments ranging from $250K to $3.5M. He targets information technology businesses serving healthcare, education, financial and other applications.

He founded Edison Partners in 1986. Edison Partners has raised eight partnerships with more than $1 billion capital and has invested in over 210 growth businesses and exited more than 155 companies.

In April 2022, the Purdue University Board of Trustees approved naming the Honors College for Martinson in recognition of a $25 million gift. He has previously given nearly $9 million to the College of Engineering. His gifts established the John Martinson Entrepreneurial Center in 2019 and have supported the INSPIRE Research Institute for Pre-College Engineering, EPICS and Women in Engineering.

Martinson earned a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy, an M.S. in Astronautics from Purdue University, and an MBA from Southern Illinois University. All three institutions honored him with top alumni accomplishment awards.