Ivan La Frinere-Sandoval

Partner, CFO & COO

A builder and investor with deep roots in engineering, finance, and entrepreneurship.

True innovation requires a rigorous framework. Combining technical depth with financial discipline allows us to see viable opportunities where others might only see complexity.

Proud of his Mexican American heritage, Ivan grew up in California with a deep passion for science, technology, and environmental conservation. He pursued this dual interest rigorously at the California Institute of Technology, earning undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Finance, before securing his MBA and an MS in Environmental Engineering from Stanford.

Ivan began his professional career at Credit Suisse in 2006, distinguishing himself early by achieving a Top 15 all-time ranking in the Training The Street financial modeling competition. Following Stanford, he launched his first company through StartX and went on to build multiple successful businesses deeply embedded within the Bay Area’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At Sunshine Lake, Ivan manages fund operations, supports deal sourcing, and serves on the investment committee. He leverages a structured, data-driven framework to differentiate the firm’s evaluation process. Outside the office, he is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking and surfing, and is conversational in both Spanish and Chinese.