Jack Warning joins our Platform Team
Bringing dual-sided experience in venture capital and operations to shape founder support
Please welcome Supply Change Capital's newest team member, Jack Warning!
Jack joins Supply Change Capital as our first Senior Associate of Platform, bringing both operator and investment experience to his role. He's been on both sides of the table, having worked on strategy and innovation at children's nutrition startup Yumi before moving into investing at Cerity Partners Ventures, which we think will be incredibly valuable as our founders scale their businesses. He studied finance at the University of Iowa and has spent his career across traditional finance, M&A valuation, food startup operations, and venture capital.
Jack brings experience in supply chain and sustainability investing, along with a deep understanding of the operational challenges that can impact even the most innovative food tech companies. As a Senior Associate of Platform on the Supply Change Capital team, he'll support our portfolio companies through the critical post-investment phase, helping them scale efficiently while avoiding common pitfalls. Jack's dual perspective will help us continue to provide best-in-class support to our founders. And as a bonus, he's a Chicago Cubs fan, so he knows a thing or two about patience and long-term thinking.
Walk us through your career journey—how did you transition from traditional finance into investing in technology and operating startups in the food industry
I grew up in a traditional finance family, so starting my career in investment banking felt like the obvious path. But I quickly realized it wasn’t for me; I craved work that energized me. Venture capital was the right shift, giving me the chance to partner with ambitious founders trying to change the world.
My passion for food runs deep, thanks to my Italian mother, where food meant literally everything. I learned to love the story of ingredients, the extended time at the dinner table, and having a round Italian belly. That early love evolved into a deeper curiosity about the food system and its potential to improve human health (as it did for me) and sustainability. And I’ve wanted to get my hands dirty in the category ever since.
What drew you specifically to Supply Change Capital versus other venture capital firms?
This decision was easy. We share a deep curiosity about the food industry. From my very first conversation with Noramay and Shayna a few years ago, things just clicked. We’d lose track of time in tangent-filled conversations. Every time I ran into the team at conferences, it felt like reconnecting with old friends. It’s refreshing to work with a team that's aligned on the opportunities in food, agriculture, and health, as well as everyday life.
Beyond the connection, the team is incredibly sharp. You always hear the phrase, “Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you,” and I genuinely felt that here. Shayna and Noramay bring deep expertise in food and ag, which makes it easy to feel inspired and motivated by leaders who truly know their stuff.
You've been on both sides of the table—advising startups at Yumi and investing at Cerity Partners Ventures. What's the biggest insight you're bringing from the operating side?
It's okay to ask for help. Throughout my time as both an operator and investor, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some incredible founders. Still, there’s often a stigma around leaning on your partners for guidance. “What if I come across as uncertain and ruin my chances for follow-up?” Or, “VCs notoriously have busy schedules, I don’t want to bug them.” I’ve come to learn these are common thoughts.
What I aim to offer through Supply Change is a consistent, non-biased resource - someone who’s available around the clock, whether it’s diving into the nitty-gritty of a financial model or serving as a sounding board during a GTM pivot. Being that approachable and reliable partner to our portfolio companies is my north star.
What are your predictions for the future of food - where will we be in 20 years?
This question finds me in a pretty reflective (and maybe slightly pessimistic) moment, fresh off reading the famous The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, Carbon by Paul Hawken, and currently working through Barons by Austin Frerick. I’m nervous about what the health of our planet will look like in 20 years.
One of the core questions I keep coming back to is: how do we feed a growing population while dramatically improving efficiency? Nearly half of the world’s habitable land is already used for agriculture (Our World In Data). An alarming percentage is projected to be lost due to unsustainable farming practices and deforestation, and McKinsey estimates we’ll need farmland the size of Brazil just to keep up with population growth.
Yes, it’s daunting, but it also creates space for innovative thinking. From AI to supply chain optimization to biomanufacturing, there’s enormous potential to reimagine how we produce and distribute food. While I may feel pessimistic about the scale of the challenge, I’m genuinely optimistic about the opportunity and the startups rising to meet it.
What emerging technology do you think will be the biggest game-changer for food systems?
I'm a big believer in the use of AI. After working directly with multiple Fortune 500 companies across manufacturing sectors, including food, it's clear that even industry leaders rely on outdated systems. In many cases, Excel is still the backbone for managing thousands of customers, supply chains, and even compliance reporting. The ROI for AI tools in manufacturing and food systems is both clear and immediate. It’s a no-brainer.
What's your go-to efficiency hack that you'd recommend to founders?
When I saw the word “hack,” my mind immediately went to cold plunges - yes, I’m that kind of bio-nut. But in terms of work efficiency, I recommend using a streamlined email tool like Superhuman. It helps cut down on time spent in your inbox so you can focus on more valuable work, or better yet, make space for life outside of work. Email shouldn't dominate your day.
What is an app that didn’t exist 3 years ago but you can’t live without?
ChatGPT - but not for the reason you’d expect. It’s been my go-to guide for this year’s gardening adventure. I finally have a yard (our two dogs are thrilled), and I’ve been diving deep into companion planting, plants that deter pests, nutrient timing, soil acidity, irrigation, and even regenerative practices (yes, chickens are on the radar). My goal is to be at least 25% self-sustaining from my garden this year, and ChatGPT has been essential in helping me ramp up quickly.