The Michael Polsky Family Office

Skydeck Capital, also known as The Michael Polsky Family Office, is a private investment firm based in Chicago that manages the proprietary capital of the Polsky family. The firm operates with a long-term investment horizon, focusing on value creation and impact rather than being constrained by predefined time limits or investment hurdles. Skydeck Capital engages in direct investments across three primary asset classes: private equity, real estate, and venture capital, targeting a diverse range of sectors and company stages.

The firm's private equity strategy involves management buyouts, leveraged buyouts, and recapitalizations, with a focus on companies in tech-enabled services, industrial and business-to-business services, manufacturing, and engineered products. They typically invest $5-10 million in companies with $3-7 million of EBITDA. For real estate, Skydeck Capital directly invests $5-10 million in well-located industrial, multi-family, and office assets, partnering with experienced sponsors. In venture capital, the firm primarily targets Seed and Series A stage companies, with initial check sizes ranging from $750K to $2M, emphasizing high-growth revenue streams and strong management teams.

Skydeck Capital was co-founded in 2013 by Jon Taiber, who previously managed Polsky Holdings, the family office for the Polsky Family, since 2001. Michael Polsky, a recognized pioneer in the energy industry, serves as a Founder and Managing Partner. His entrepreneurial journey includes founding Indeck Energy Services in 1985, SkyGen Energy in 1991, and Invenergy in 2001, a leading global developer and operator of sustainable energy solutions. Tanya Polsky is also a Founder and Managing Partner, bringing a background in banking and a strong commitment to philanthropy.

The team at Skydeck Capital combines extensive experience across finance, energy, and real estate. Key members include Lior Shachaf, Managing Partner and Head of Investments, who oversees the firm's investment strategy and portfolio, and Tyler Perlman, VP of Real Estate, responsible for the firm's real estate portfolio and new opportunities. Their collective expertise allows Skydeck Capital to identify and support promising ventures across various industries and stages of growth.