Today we’d like to introduce you to Chase Bentley.
Hi Chase, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’d describe my path as unconventional, but very intentional in hindsight. I was born in 1984 and spent part of my early childhood in foster care before being adopted by a family in Joshua, Texas. Growing up in a small town environment, I learned early on the value of hard work, resilience, and making the most of opportunities when they present themselves.
I started my career in engineering, focusing on water and wastewater infrastructure before transitioning into petrochemical and midstream projects. I was drawn to the scale and complexity of those systems, and over time I took on leadership roles managing projects ranging from small capital improvements to developments exceeding $100 million. That experience gave me a strong foundation not just technically, but commercially—understanding how projects are financed, structured, and executed.
As my career progressed, I became increasingly interested in the capital side of the business—how investment decisions are made under uncertainty and how to build platforms that can scale. That ultimately led me to found Augusta Capital Partners in 2018. Through Augusta Capital, we’ve invested across a broad spectrum, including upstream and midstream energy, energy transition, data center infrastructure, and select private placements in companies like SpaceX and xAI, along with other privately held businesses. The common theme is focusing on sectors where we have conviction and experience, and where we see long-term structural growth.
Separately, I founded Augusta Custom Homes in 2015. It operates independently from Augusta Capital and serves a completely different purpose. With Augusta Custom Homes, we have the opportunity to work directly with families to bring something very personal to life. One aspect of the business that’s especially meaningful to us is that at the end of each project, we provide a donation on behalf of the client to a nonprofit of their choice. It allows us to not only build homes, but to help our clients give back and create a broader impact in the community.
Today, I split my time between both companies, but the common thread is building—whether it’s infrastructure, businesses, or homes. Each step along the way has been about taking on bigger challenges, continuing to learn, and surrounding myself with the right people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but in many ways, that’s been the most rewarding part of the journey.
Like most entrepreneurs, a lot of the early years were filled with rejection. Starting new ventures means hearing “no” far more often than “yes,” whether that’s from investors, partners, or opportunities that just don’t materialize the way you expect. Over time, you learn to treat rejection as part of the process rather than a setback.
On a broader level, we’ve also had to navigate macro challenges that were completely out of our control—COVID, periods of market uncertainty tied to global conflict, and rising interest rates where the cost of debt actively worked against growth in an effort to slow inflation. Those environments force you to make disciplined decisions and stay focused on long-term fundamentals.
One of the most pivotal periods for me personally was during COVID in 2020. At the time, we were opening a new 121-acre development where we were the exclusive builder, which meant we had over 100 lots to sell into a highly uncertain market. At the same time, one of the companies within Augusta Capital Partners Fund I was under pressure due to suppressed natural gas prices. On top of that, I was commuting back and forth between Dallas and Philadelphia every other week for a graduate program, all while raising a young family with two daughters.
There wasn’t really an option to pause—everything was happening at once.
Looking back, that period was a turning point. It forced me to operate under sustained pressure and uncertainty, and it gave me a level of confidence that no matter how challenging things get, I can work through it. It wasn’t easy, but it reinforced the idea that resilience is built in those moments, not when things are going smoothly.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Outside of work, a lot of what drives me actually comes from creativity. I really enjoy what I do professionally, but my deeper passion has always been rooted in art. That shows up in different ways—playing drums, bass, and keys, collecting and studying art, and more recently, creating it myself. I’ve worked with materials ranging from antiques and wood to steel and now stone, which has been a completely new challenge.
Last year, I was actually accepted into a gallery showing in Philadelphia, which was a meaningful milestone for me creatively. Unfortunately, my schedule didn’t allow me to participate that particular week—but hopefully I’ll make the next one.
I’m also a big believer in continuing to learn, especially in areas that are completely outside my core expertise. Lately, I’ve been spending time studying new languages and diving into astrophysics. There’s something grounding about it—it gives you perspective. When you zoom out and think about the scale of the universe and its history, it has a way of putting everyday challenges into context.
Travel has become another big part of my life as well. I didn’t take my first flight until I was 18 and didn’t grow up taking family vacations, so that’s something I’ve been intentional about changing. Over the years, I’ve made it a priority to travel and, more importantly, to share those experiences with my daughters—exposing them to different countries, cultures, and ways of thinking. It’s important to me that they grow up with a broader perspective than I had access to early on.
At the end of the day, whether it’s business, art, learning, or travel, it all ties back to the same idea—continuing to grow, staying curious, and building a life that’s both meaningful and well-rounded.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important quality for me has been simple—just not quitting.
That mindset was instilled in me early on. Growing up, whether it was peewee football or other team sports, I was always told that if you commit to something, you don’t walk away from it. You have an obligation to your team to see it through. If at the end of the season you decide it’s not for you, that’s fine—but quitting in the middle wasn’t an option.
That lesson stuck with me and carried over into business. There are always going to be moments where things aren’t working, where the market turns against you, or where you question whether something is worth continuing. But more often than not, success isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about staying in the game long enough to figure it out.
Over time, I’ve realized that persistence compounds just like anything else. If you keep showing up, keep learning, and keep adjusting, you give yourself a chance to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AugustaCH.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/augusta_ch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/augustacustomhomes
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augusta-custom-homes-llc/
- Other: https://www.AugustaCap.com
