Klaus Koch, Partner, joined Kline Hawkes in 1998 as an Associate, was promoted to Principal in 1999 and subsequently named Partner in 2004. Mr. Koch began his career with the LEK Partnership where he focused on strategic M&A projects and privatization support for the German government. Mr. Koch later went on to work with Goldman Sachs in Mergers and Acquisitions. He has worked on numerous M&A transactions in areas such as medical devices, satellite equipment and services, paper products and car rental services. In 1996, Mr. Koch joined Bain & Co. in their LBO, Technology and Healthcare practices. During this time, Mr. Koch advised such firms as Apollo Advisors, McCown De Leeuw, TRW and SGI. Mr. Koch has led several successful investments to exit including Rent.com (acquired by eBay), O2 Science (acquired by Pacific Pulmonary Services), Sensor Systems, Alta Healthcare System and Transoft Networks (acquired by Hewlett-Packard). Currently, Mr. Koch sits on the board of National Water & Power, LivHOME, and NewCoast College. Mr. Koch is an active participant in the Southern California venture community. He is on the board of the Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA) and a frequent speaker at events hosted by LAVA, the Los Angeles Regional Technology Alliance (LARTA) and VentureNet. Mr. Koch has also been involved with and spoken at several UCLA, USC, Harvard and Cornell sponsored events. He received his Master’s degree from Harvard Business School with distinction and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Wharton School summa cum laude.