James Murphy

<p>James Murphy is a builder of businesses aligned with human biology, driven by a curiosity to reshape work structures into something more sustainable, vibrant, and health-promoting. His non-linear path has been guided by a deep personal inquiry around belonging, taking him from social impact work in Haiti and Mexico to fintech in New York City, where he focused on cross-border payments and small business funding.</p><p>As a founding partner at Proton, James led a venture studio launching multiple brands simultaneously, with a consistent throughline: creating nutritious products that truly belong in the human body. He has founded five natural product brands and helped launch a supplement company in partnership with neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter and Garden of Life that has since become the #1 digestive health brand in the U.S.</p><p>James is also an active angel investor, backing over 50 wellness-focused companies including Thrive Market, MUD/WTR, Primal Kitchen, Eight Sleep, Serenity Kids, and Levels Health. He is the founder of ALIVE, a small growth equity fund, and frequently supports emerging VCs, often at the earliest stages of their journeys.</p><p>A Yale graduate in Humanities, James maintains strong ties to the university through his work with Accelerate Yale and as a guest facilitator at the Yale School of Management. Outside of work, he enjoys sauna and cold plunge rituals, exploring the Montana wilderness, carpentry projects, and is currently stepping into more artistic expression through music and visual arts. Husband to Campbell, father to Ember, he is also co-founder and CEO of LMNT and is based in Bozeman, MT.</p>