About Base Trade
Base Trade was founded on the belief that capital works best when it's paired with real partnership — not a transaction that ends when the wire clears. We built an investment firm where founders and clients work directly with the people making decisions, not a rotating account team.
Operating as 102 Venture LLC and headquartered in Mount Vernon, Georgia, our team manages private equity, venture capital, wealth management, and asset management strategies for clients and institutions across the United States.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
To deploy capital with discipline and stay meaningfully involved with every business and client we serve — treating each relationship as a long-term partnership, not a portfolio line item.
Our Vision
To be the investment partner founders and families call first — known for direct access, rigorous underwriting, and following through on what we say.
Leadership Team
A small, senior team — every engagement is led by a partner, not delegated down.
Robert Mercer
Managing Partner
20+ years in private equity and buyout investing before founding Base Trade.
Sandra Chu
Partner, Venture Capital
Leads early- and growth-stage investing, with a background in operating and scaling startups.
David Osei
Partner, Wealth Management
Oversees client portfolios and financial planning for individuals and family offices.
Lauren Pierce
Chief Compliance Officer
Leads regulatory compliance, risk oversight, and independent fund administration relationships.
How We Operate
Every engagement is handled with the same discipline, whether it's a first-time founder or an institutional mandate.
Independent Diligence
Every opportunity is underwritten against the same criteria before any capital is committed.
Client-First Advisory
We explain the reasoning behind every recommendation so clients understand their own portfolio.
Independent Administration
Fund accounting, custody, and audit are handled by independent third parties — never in-house.
Want to know more?
Send us a message — we're happy to answer questions before you commit to anything.