Jean Marc Lopez's journey into calculated risk-taking
A MAN OF A-VENTURE
BY CLAIRE THOMPSON
standing amongst Florida' s most successful
venture capitalists, Jean Marc Lopez is ready
to conquer the world. For 16 years, the 39-
year-old has been diligently forging a stellar track
record with investments in financial services,
commodities, technology, real estate and the
entertainment industry.
Lopez, whose motto is “Be alive, keep moving
and always strive for more,” was born in Monaco
where he was raised in a close-knit family. His
father Hubert Lopez Heredia is the painter who
founded the flower abstract movement of the 70’s.
Lopez maintains he was a well-rounded individual,
involved in business ventures of his own. “There
was always an open dialogue in my family about
the arts, the economy, anything really,” Lopez
recalled. “Education was always stressed and
encouraged.”
So it comes as no surprise to learn that Lopez had
a thorough education that included a doctorate and
master's from the Nice Sophia Antipolis University
in France. He also speaks four languages and has
been an avid patron of the arts. The driven
businessman practices martial arts every day and
enjoys literature. “I'll read about anything as long as
I come away having learned something,” he
explained. When asked if he takes after his father
and paints as well, Lopez shrugged sheepishly and
responded, “There were five generations of
painters in my family. The gene seems to have
skipped me. But I enjoy collecting art.”
Having so many different interests has never
gotten in the way of Lopez's goals. As a college
student, he became a developer and real estate
broker on the French Riviera, making a name for
himself before he had even graduated. Before
long, Lopez, who has been an enthusiastic fan of
South Florida for 20 years (he said he loves the
weather), made the move to found his Palm
Beach venture capital firm A-Venture Capital.
“South Florida has very well-developed
infrastructures and a great mix of cultures,” he
explained. “Even if there is a slowdown in the
Miami real estate market, I have a strong
confidence in this market because it will be
growing for years to come.”
Lopez has had staggering success with over
$500 million of private equity financings, $300
million in real estate acquisitions, and $150
million in real estate divestitures. This coming
year, he said the company will be focusing more on
investments in the entertainment industry, mainly
motion pictures. Although Lopez has already been
linked with several projects and celebrities, the
entrepreneur has never been star-struck. “From
the beginning to the end, we are all more or less
the same, just human beings,” he explained. “For
me there is no difference between someone who
acts on the screen and someone who sells flowers.
I do respect and value people a lot.”
It is a widely indulged belief that venture
capitalism is a business in which only the bravest
risk-takers can find success and harmony. But
Lopez claimed he approaches every risk with
methodical caution, thorough analysis and
meticulous planning: “It's like being a stunt man.
You look at them and you think they are taking
major risks. But really, they are experts in risk
management — at avoiding risks.”
Still, Lopez makes no bones about the chances
he takes. He relies on an intense ability to observe
— as well as ponder — business and life. “I believe
that success in business is 90 percent thought and
10 percent action,” he said. Perhaps it is his
practice in the martial arts that has allowed him to
hone an intense focus on his goals. What is clear is
that Lopez is one of those rare individuals with the
ability to realize dreams with sheer concentration.
He keeps his eyes open at all times, on all things
—not just the prize.
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