Who Is Gondola Ventures

Aerial Transit & Tourism Experts

End-to-end Solutions for Greenfield and Acquisition Projects
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Technical design, feasibility planning & permitting
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Pre-development capital sourcing
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Project financing partners & sources
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Deep equipment manufacturers relationships
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Driving industry thought leadership
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Management and operational services
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5 Questions for Gondola Ventures

1.

What does Gondola Ventures do?

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Gondola Ventures creates unique, world class aerial cable car experiences at iconic destinations. We acquire and develop point of interest locations where visitors can enjoy a scenic gondola ride to the top, where we curate memorable experiences that may include food, activities, entertainment, and other attractions.

Beyond building and operating these systems, we focus on environmental sustainability and community engagement. Our goal is to create destinations that showcase natural beauty, support local economies, and provide unforgettable moments for visitors, all while prioritizing responsible development and long-term environmental stewardship.

2.

How does Gondola Ventures choose a project location?

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At Gondola Ventures, selecting the right location is key to creating a memorable destination experience. We carefully evaluate potential sites using a combination of environmental, community, and business factors to ensure our projects are sustainable and successful.

We focus on locations that:

  • Offer natural beauty or iconic views: Our gondolas are designed to highlight the unique character and scenery of each destination.
  • Have strong tourism potential: We prioritize places where visitors are already drawn or where our project can unlock new opportunities for growth.
  • Support the local community: Community input is central to our planning. We partner with local stakeholders to ensure our projects complement existing attractions and benefit surrounding businesses.
  • Align with environmental stewardship: Sustainability is at the heart of every decision, from minimizing ecological impact to supporting conservation efforts.
  • Provide space for a full guest experience: In addition to the gondola, we look for locations where we can create engaging amenities at the top, such as restaurants, activities, and entertainment options.

By combining scenic value, visitor demand, and community benefit, we select project locations where our gondolas can truly enhance the destination.

3.

How do we ensure accessibility for all visitors?

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At Gondola Ventures, accessibility is a core part of our mission. Our gondola systems make it possible for everyone including families, seniors, children and visitors with limited mobility to reach stunning destinations that might otherwise be difficult to access.

We design our gondolas with inclusivity in mind by:

  • Providing barrier-free access: Our stations and cabins are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and mobility devices.
  • Creating an easy and comfortable ride: Visitors can enjoy a smooth, scenic journey to the top without the need for strenuous hiking or climbing.
  • Opening up new experiences: By making mountaintops and elevated attractions accessible, we allow more people to enjoy breathtaking views, dining, and activities that would otherwise be out of reach.

Our goal is to make memorable experiences possible for everyone, creating destinations where all visitors can explore, connect, and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

4.

How does Gondola Ventures implement environmentally sustainable projects?

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At Gondola Ventures, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We design our projects to celebrate and protect the natural environment while creating memorable experiences for visitors. From construction to daily operations, we take deliberate steps to minimize our environmental impact and support local ecosystems.

Here's how we integrate sustainability into our projects:

  • Using local resources whenever possible: We partner with local suppliers, contractors, and businesses to reduce transportation emissions, support the regional economy, and maintain a strong connection to the community.
  • Designing with the environment in mind: Every project is carefully planned to complement the natural landscape and preserve surrounding habitats, ensuring our developments enhance rather than disrupt their settings.
  • Energy-efficient gondola systems: Our gondola systems are engineered to operate with low energy output while maintaining high safety and performance standards, helping us reduce our overall carbon footprint.
  • Sustainable materials and practices: Whenever possible, we incorporate eco-friendly materials, construction methods, and operational practices to promote long-term environmental health.
  • Ongoing stewardship: We don't stop at installation; we continuously evaluate our impact and explore innovative ways to make our systems even more sustainable over time.

Our goal is to create projects that respect the land, uplift communities, and inspire visitors, proving that unforgettable experiences and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

5.

How does Gondola Ventures work with local communities or governments?

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At Gondola Ventures, we believe that successful projects are built in partnership with the communities and governments where we operate. From the earliest stages of planning to long term operations, we work collaboratively to ensure our gondola systems benefit both visitors and local residents.

Here's how we engage with communities and governments:

  • Early collaboration: We meet with local officials, community leaders, and stakeholders early in the planning process to understand priorities, goals, and concerns.
  • Supporting local economies: By sourcing materials, hiring contractors, and creating jobs locally whenever possible, we ensure our projects directly contribute to the regional economy.
  • Aligning with local vision: We work closely with government agencies to ensure our projects align with local development plans, tourism strategies, and sustainability initiatives.
  • Community involvement: We encourage feedback and open dialogue, listening to residents and businesses to design projects that enhance the overall visitor experience while respecting community values.
  • Long-term partnership: Our commitment doesn't end when the gondola opens, we remain engaged, supporting ongoing economic development, tourism growth, and community-based initiatives.

By prioritizing collaboration, transparency, and shared value, we create destinations that reflect the unique character of each location while delivering meaningful benefits to the people who live there.

Team members
Josh Jones headshot
Josh Jones
Co-Founder & Venture Capital Strategist
Josh Jones is a successful tech entrepreneur, having built dozens of companies, from software start-ups to international airlines. He is best known for innovation, creativity and commitment to successful business and community outcomes.
In 1996, Josh founded DreamHost – a Los Angeles-based web hosting company that has grown to employ over 250 people. He also founded HMC INQ, a venture fund that supports, cultivates, and finances start-ups created by Harvey Mudd College alums. Most recently he assembled top executives in the airline sector to successfully relaunch Ravn Alaska (and coming soon, Northern Pacific Airways), the largest regional air carrier in Alaska. The bulk of Josh’s fortune is attributable to his investment in Bitcoin back in 2010. He invests into startup businesses and partnerships out of his family office, Kill Capital.Josh’s entrepreneurial vision and strategic partnerships have positioned Gondola Ventures to be a leading force in advancing urban aerial and point of interest (POI) gondola systems in North America.  This vision has led to securing financial interest and agreements for both aerial transit and POI systems planned to be built and operational over the next several years – including iconic large-scale projects in Los Angeles and Ontario as well as the Mighty Argo system in Colorado.
Perry Shea headshot
Perry Shea
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
A founder and entrepreneur, Perry’s strength is forming relationships that lead to partnerships and positive business outcomes. He is a successful businessman who has built several companies from start-ups to regional and national recognition. Perry has 35 years of technical expertise in the engineering and construction fields and uses this knowledge and experience to evaluate project opportunities for risk and financial feasibility. He applies these skills during the due-diligence period to understand project challenges, success factors and whether an investment is worth pursuing – this provides an extra level of fiduciary review for each investment and project considered.
One of Perry’s unique strengths is his knowledge and expertise in the cable propelled aerial gondola industry.  He is recognized as a thought leader in this business sector and is currently managing and leading some of the largest aerial gondola system projects in the US.  Many of these gondola systems have come to fruition due to the creativity and business model developed by Gondola Ventures, bringing capital and financing strategies to early pre-development projects in the permitting stage and execution to final operations.
Scott Nocas headshot
Scott Nocas
Partner & COO
Scott Nocas has 25+ years’ experience investing in and building new businesses that sit at the intersection of new technologies, government and media. He has launched businesses reaching over 100M people worldwide.
His expertise encompasses venture and private equity investment, product and business development, project management, marketing and content creation with entities such as the U.S. Army, Smithsonian Enterprises, Microsoft, Sony, Tyton Partners and NetDragon Websoft. Scott also works with Josh Jones’ Kill Capital family office supporting his business and investment efforts.Specializing in structuring and negotiating deals, Scott also focuses on managing stakeholders to ensure a project moves forward smoothly. He is also helping GVC develop its overall portfolio strategy, identify and source new deals and look at unique ways to expand GVC’s revenue beyond ridership.
Steven Dale headshot
Steven Dale
President of Product & Project Development
Steven is a Cable-Propelled Gondola specialist with 20 plus years’ experience researching, consulting and sourcing gondola projects from pre-development through final project execution.  He has managed and developed projects around the globe and is leading several high-profile urban systems in North America. Steven is a thought-leader in the industry, the author of Cable Car Confidential and the founder of the Gondola Project Website. Steven has been a resource in the industry for years.
Specializing in preliminary economic and technical assessments of ropeway transportation projects, he brings credibility to the Gondola Ventures investor network and project partners thought his detailed analysis of the financial merits and viability of gondola projects.
Steven is a Principal Consultant with SCJ Alliance and their Cable-Propelled Transit division and is one of Gondola Ventures primary advisors.
Jennifer Toughill headshot
Jennifer Toughill
VP, Project Development & Finance
Over 22 years of industry expertise and leadership overseeing comprehensive project development and financing across North America. A seasoned investor and entrepreneur, she has built a diverse portfolio, founded a successful woman-owned construction company, and led innovative projects known for their sustainable practices and community impact. With a keen eye for market trends and a commitment to green initiatives, Jennifer excels in managing all construction phases, establishing effective business systems, and fostering valuable relationships.
Dan Sclafani headshot
Dan Sclafani
CFO
Dan is an analytically minded entrepreneur, investor and hands on finance expert with deep experience working across private equity, media, banking, technology, education, and real estate. He is the Founder of By Glover, a technology-enabled financial strategy firm that works with private investment firms and their portfolio companies. Prior to founding By Glover and working with Gondola Ventures, he was the COO of The DigiTrust Group, a global cyber-security firm, an Investor at growth equity firm Generation Partners, and worked in the Banking & Capital Markets group at Deloitte. Dan is a CPA (inactive) in New York.
Leda Li headshot
Leda Li
Director of International Project Development
Leda is the managing director for international developments and oversees the GVC office located in Adelaide, Australia. She gained her master’s degree from the US, where she started her career as the Director of International Business Development. Over the past decade, she has been working closely with many international enterprises in identifying profitable business opportunities and developing long-term business relationships and partnerships. She brings expertise in financial analyses, market research and project execution strategies for GVC from initial project concept and due diligence to finalizing successful partnership arrangements.
Leda has a strong business acumen and is adept at negotiating deals as well as demonstrating excellent leadership and management skills. She is currently working full time in our Australia office to oversee operations, project execution and financial oversight.
Lisa Hicks headshot
Lisa Hicks
Chief of Staff
Lisa has over 30-years of experience working from small startup companies to large professional companies such as Parametrics and SCJ Alliance. Lisa has managed Finance, HR and Corporate Compliance, while serving in executive level positions and board of director roles. At GVC, Lisa is Chief of Staff and involved in the full spectrum of business operations, collaborating with leadership to ensure alignment and accountability around company goals and priorities. A key part of her role is fostering the company culture with all staff and aligning team members to build strong relationships and collaboration teams.
Josh Taylor headshot
Josh Taylor
Sr. Project Manager – Construction
Josh began his construction career in 2007 and graduated from the Carpenters Apprenticeship Program in 2011. Since then, he has led over fifty building & infrastructure projects ranging from $250,000 to $10,000,000 as the Lead Carpenter, Carpenter Foreman, and site Superintendent. Josh supervises all aspects of our projects which includes building layout and design, project scheduling, subcontractor coordination & management, and self-performing work when needed. In his experience as Superintendent, Josh ensures that a safe and productive work environment is maintained at all times. He holds certificates in Construction Quality Management and OSHA.

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