Founding Partner of Intersouth Partners

Dennis is a founding partner of Intersouth and has primary responsibility for the life sciences portfolio. He has led more than 25 of Intersouth’s investments over the last two decades. Since founding Intersouth in 1985, Dennis has been active in all aspects of the venture investment process. He has served on dozens of boards of directors for both private and public companies. He is known for his experienced insight, consensus building and syndicate leadership.

Dennis has invested in and worked with portfolio companies through several economic cycles and has served as interim CEO when necessary. He has long been active in the venture industry and serves on the board of directors for the National Venture Capital Association, where he also chairs the Education Committee. He was on the Steering Committee for the Kauffman Fellows Program and served as a mentor for several classes of Kauffman Fellows. Mr. Dougherty was a founder of the highly successful Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) and the Chair of its first Venture Conference. He sits on the Board of the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation for Research Development.

Prior to founding Intersouth, Mr. Dougherty was a Partner with Touche Ross & Co. (now Deloitte & Touche), responsible for the high growth business practice. He worked in sales and marketing for UNOCAL Chemical Division and served in the military. Mr. Dougherty holds a B.A. from Oklahoma City University, where he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, and completed advanced finance and accounting courses at Duke University. Mr. Dougherty has primary responsibility for the Intersouth life science portfolio. In 2005, Mr. Dougherty was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Carolinas for the founding and successful growth of Intersouth Partners.