Reid Dennis has been an active individual investor and a corporate venture capital investor since 1952. As an individual venture investor, Reid was personally involved with early-stage investments in Acurex, American Micro-systems, Ampex, California Microwave, Coherent Radiation, Measurex, and Ultek. As a corporate executive, Reid was responsible for the successful entry of Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, and then the American Express Company, into the venture capital field. He represented them as a member of the Board of Directors at Recognition Equipment Inc., The Reed Tool Company, and Storage Technology Corporation. While at American Express, Reid was also responsible for managing six publicly-traded mutual funds. After 21 years with the two companies, Reid resigned from American Express in order to form Institutional Venture Associates in 1974 and, subsequently, Institutional Venture Partners in 1980.