About

Established in 2021, The Aurora Project (TAP) is a research-oriented, technology-first investment firm that manages quantitative hedge funds. We integrate macroeconomic insight, quantitative modeling, and state-of-the-art engineering to build proprietary software to locate & isolate durable Alpha. Our institutional-grade infrastructure supports disciplined execution, robust risk management, and the pursuit of strong risk-adjusted returns.

Founded by a team with over two decades of experience in software engineering, data science, finance and investing, TAP brings a practical and methodical approach to portfolio construction. Our process emphasizes transparency, adaptability, and rigorous testing; aimed at navigating market complexity while remaining grounded in risk-aware decision-making.

With years of dedicated statistical, ML and quantitative development, TAP seeks to thoughtfully participate in the evolving role of technology in markets. We view this shift not as a disruption, but as an opportunity to deliver value through clear thinking, tested systems, and a long-term mindset.

Our Team

Benjamin R. Laney

Managing Partner

Co-Founder

Technology & Innovation

Laney oversees innovation in investments through technological development, technical research, and strategy analysis. He leverages his expertise in software engineering, quantitative analysis, machine learning, systems design and project management to advance the firm’s technological edge.

Before entering the private sphere, Laney has been a Staff+ Engineer at two Fortune 100 companies including a MAG 7 company. Throughout his SWE/MLE career, he has implemented complex, performant ML pipelines, engineered global cloud infrastructure and designed software responsible for managing millions of dollars. He brings deep technical expertise from his time operating alongside elite talent from Big 3 cloud to R&D AI engineering. He has also contributed to a variety of open-source and commercial software applications.

Previously, Laney worked in the data analytics and ML space, gaining valuable experience from E2E SDLC to academic research. Combined with strong project management and leadership skills, Laney drives innovation and enhances the firm’s capabilities.

Karsten J.P. Kenworthy

Partner

Co-Founder

Investment Strategy

Kenworthy leads the development of the firm’s investment strategy, grounded in first-principles thinking and a refined framework that integrates macroeconomic insight, fundamental analysis, and quantitative methods.

Beyond a wealth of experience in public markets, he has led a broad range of investments—spanning private equity, real estate, and private credit—across industries from manufacturing to hospitality. He has partnered with seasoned operators and brings to TAP executive acumen gained from managing a diverse portfolio of alternatives. Over his four years at TAP, he has advanced into software development and quantitative modeling—sharpening his technical capabilities further strengthening the firm’s extensive research depth and engineering excellence. This breadth of experience shapes the firm’s multidimensional philosophy toward capital allocation and risk mitigation.

Kenworthy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Science in Finance from The University of Oklahoma.

Ed Harelik

Director

Investor Relations

Prior to joining The Aurora Project, Ed founded Pelican Path, LLC, a financial services consulting firm that helped entrepreneurs raise growth capital.
He began his career as a private client broker at Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, a Dallas-based investment bank and stock brokerage firm, and transitioned into institutional bond and equity sales with Bear Stearns and Alex Brown, covering Tier 1 mutual funds, hedge funds and other institutional investors.

He specialized in biotech, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
Ed attended the University of Texas at Austin, He majored in Latin American Studies, with concentrations in Anthropology and Economics.