Alex Hartz is a partner at Shine Capital who brings an unusual combination of deep technical training in applied physics from Caltech and eight years of venture experience at SciFi VC, where he developed expertise in embedded lending and credit infrastructure. His background spans hands-on photonics research and building fintech investment practices, making him particularly suited for founders building technically complex financial products who want an investor comfortable with both rigorous science and market realities. Alex Hartz is a partner at Shine Capital who brings an unusual combination of deep technical training in applied physics from Caltech and eight years of venture experience at SciFi VC, where he developed expertise in embedded lending and credit infrastructure. His background spans hands-on photonics research and building fintech investment practices, making him particularly suited for founders building technically complex financial products who want an investor comfortable with both rigorous science and market realities.