Eric Satz is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and financial innovator. As the Founder and CEO of Alto, he is redefining how individuals invest their retirement savings, opening doors to private market assets like private equity, venture capital, private credit funds, commercial, residential and agricultural real estate, crypto and art.
Eric’s passion for building began early, from selling lemonade out of an un-air-conditioned van in Miami to running a newspaper distribution business at his college. His professional career kicked off in investment banking at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, but the thrill of creating something from scratch kept bringing him back to entrepreneurship. He co-founded Currenex, the first online foreign currency exchange platform, which was acquired by State Street for over $550M, and later launched Plumgood Food, an early online grocery delivery service. After the 2008 financial crisis, Eric turned his focus to venture capital, co-founding Tennessee Community Ventures to support local startups.
In 2013, while managing a venture fund, Eric made his first self-directed IRA investment in a related portfolio company. The process was slow, complex, and inaccessible for everyday investors. That frustration sparked the idea for Alto—an easier, more efficient and cost-effective way to invest in alternative assets using retirement savings.
Beyond Alto, Eric is the host of The Altogether Show, where he interviews unconventional guests about the intersections of life, success, and purpose. He also served as a Director on the Board of the Tennessee Valley Authority, appointed by President Obama, where he helped oversee one of the nation’s largest public utilities.
Originally from Miami, Eric is a lifelong fan of the Hurricanes and Dolphins. After years in NYC and San Francisco, he and his wife, Kate, moved to Nashville to raise their family. When he is not leading Alto, you can find him skiing, playing golf or tennis, or walking with Kate and their dog, Dave.
