Our Team
Our team combines venture capital expertise with deep tech knowledge. Our advisors provide invaluable guidance and industry connections to help Kiwi businesses flourish on the world stage and make a global impact.
Our Advisory
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Jeremy Macleod: an established expert Recruiter and Executive Search Consultant for disruptive technology companies who are building and scaling Sales and Marketing functions.
With over 20 years in global practice, Jeremy co-founded The Search Experience in 2019 which has fast become a trusted recruitment partner for notable VC’s such as Sequoia and Battery Ventures to engage world-class go-to-market talent.
Jeremy has extensive tenure in Sydney, London, Wellington and San Francisco. Originally from Gisborne, New Zealand, Jeremy is passionate about partnering with Kiwi founded businesses to compete and win on the international stage. He is also an active Angel investor in early stage technology companies through TSE Ventures, part of the TSE Group (2019-Present).
Jeremy attended Victoria University of Wellington (2002-2005).
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Ayah Hassan: Environmental justice advocate with expertise in chemical engineering research, PhD Candidate
Currently, a Chemical Engineering PhD Candidate at the University of California, Berkeley. Previously a Senior Air Quality Consultant at Ramboll, a global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company. Experience leading projects in community air monitoring, air pollution source apportionment, emissions estimation, industrial hygiene and health risk assessments.
Conducted Computational Atmospheric Aerosol Research at Columbia University, 2016-2018; Researched the mechanism of secondary organic aerosol formation in cloudwater and compiled an emissions inventory of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Researched Theoretical and Molecular Chemistry at Ecole Polytechnique, 2016. Modeled the ionic chemistry of aqueous sulfate clusters in atmospheric air droplets. Published "Hydration of the sulfate dianion in cold nanodroplets: from SO42-(H2O)9 to SO42-(H2O)13."
Columbia University, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
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Ankur Agarwal: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning expert with a strong understanding of the Enterprise SaaS ecosystem.
Has advised CEOs and CTOs of 80+ companies across the world on AI strategy, digital transformation, product enhancement, strategic partnerships, M&A and AI talent. Currently Chair and Coach at Vistage Worldwide and Advisory Board Member at Executive Council Network (ECN). Managing Director, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Vista Equity Partners (Vista Consulting Group), 2017 - 2020. Founder and Managing Director, Advait Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd., 2012 - 2017
Machine Learning Researcher, Microsoft Research Cambridge, 2006-2007. University of Cambridge, Research Fellowship, Computer Science, 2006 - 2007. Grenoble INP-UGA MS, PhD, Computer Science and Applied Mathematics (specialization: Machine Learning), 2002 - 2006. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, BTechComputer Science and Engineering, 1998 - 2002
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Mike Peterson: Long-time technology executive across industries.
Currently the Sr. Head, CTO of the CFA Institute. Mike is responsible for technology strategy, architecture, engineering, quality engineering and project management at the institute; his current role at CFA has expanded to include, IT Operations, APAC Technology Strategy, Networking, and Cyber Security .
CTO of Travelzoo (2018-2020), and former Advisory Chief Data Strategist and Advisor to xScion Solutions (2016-2019).
Advisory CTO at Parkar Consulting Group (2016-2018). VP of Platforms and Data Architecture at NeuStar, Inc. (2004-2016). Appalachian State University, Ferrum College.
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Carey Nachenberg: Computer Science and Cyber Security Expert and Academic
Adjunct Associate Professor of UCLA’s Computer Science Department for 20 year. Previously, a Principal Engineer at Lyft, 2020-2021.
Principal Engineer and Chief Scientist (Google X, Chronicle spin-out, Google acquisition), 2016-2020. Symantec Fellow from 1995-2016; the senior-most engineer and chief architect of core security engines and analytics.
University of California, Los Angeles, Master and Bachelor of Science, Computer Science (1989-1995). Author of The Florentine Deception: A Novel.
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Trevor Squier: 12+ years of start-up, financial operations and biotech experience; a healthcare non-profit founder.
Currently working in biotech and health-tech consulting for Redacted Innovations LL. Edmund Hillary Fellow since 2020. Founder of the Kisimiri Health Clinic in Tanzania (2013 - Present). Former CEO of Visual Dawn, VP of Business Operations & Finance at Amenify and VP of Portfolio and Company Business Operations at Presidio Advisors.
MBA, Finance and International Management, Boston University Graduate School of Management, 2010-2012. Thesis Research, Biomedical Engineering, Langer Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006-2007. M.S., Polymer Chemistry, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. B.S., Chemistry, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.
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Mohan Vedula: Seasoned software architect across multiple large, public enterprises.
Currently a Cloud Solutions Architect at Microsoft (London), working with large global enterprise customers across UK and Europe to help architecture and design of cloud, big data and IoT solutions on Azure.
Previously a Cloud and Big Data Platform Architect for GE Software (2014-2015) and a Solutions Architect for Amazon Web Services, 2012-2014
University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.S. Computer Science) , University of Ottowa (B. Sc. Computer Science).
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Nick Howard: Proven sales leader with vast experience in SaaS-based selling and traditional enterprise selling.
Currently the USA Sales Lead for Atomic.io and Partner of Venture One Los Angeles. Atomic.io is an innovative platform that banks and health companies can use to help with CX and digital engagement.
Head of Sales, Wipster (2018 - 2019); Director, Quark Inc. (2005 - 2018); Co-Founder, mTicket Ltd (2000-2003). BCA (Management), Victoria University of Wellington.
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Joe Pasqua: a developer, researcher, and leader at startups and Fortune 500 for over 30 years.
Executive Vice President of Products, MarkLogic. CTO Of Symantec’s $2B Data Center Business. Vice President, Symantec Research Labs . Vice President, Neustar Labs. R&D roles include positions at Xerox, Oracle, and Adobe. Joe has provided expert testimony to the US Congress on multiple occasions.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, Concurrent Bachelors of Science degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics.
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Josh Shaub: The creator of The Lion Code, a framework for personal and team clarity, alignment and activation.
Communications strategist, advisor to entrepreneurs and angel investor with over 25 years of experience working with high growth companies.
Founder, The Lion Code (2019 - Present); Founder, J. Shaub Communications (2006 - Present); Partner, Venture One Los Angeles (2015 - Present). BA (American History), Cornell University; MS (Strategic Communications), Columbia University.
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Mayank Malik: multidisciplinary executive, working at the intersection of big data and energy, passionate about climate action, renewable energy, and high-quality education for kids.
Chief Data Officer and Blockchain Lead at SLAC National Accelator Laboratory (Grid Intergration Systems and Mobility, Applied Energy Division). A former Chief Architect, Mayank is focused building data-driven solutions to enable 100% clean energy for all. (2010 - Present)
Current Edmund Hillary Fellow and Board Member on the Board of Directors at LEAF Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont (2019 - Present). Instructor at Stanford University (Precourt Institute for Energy) teaching blockchain applications for the grid (2018-2019). University at Buffalo, M.S. Computer Science.
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Monette Stevens: expert in Global Markets, Corporate Strategy, Growth and Liquidity in the areas of Climate Action, Crypto/Blockchain, Security and Privacy
Currently a Managing Director at SF Growth Labs, specializing in capital markets, DeFi, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and digital securities; and Operating Partner at Planet Positive Ventures, and Strategic Advisor for Enliven, focused on corporate strategy, sales and business development, diligence, M&A preparation and capital raising services.
Founding Member at Silicon Valley Blockchain Society (SVBS).
University of California, Santa Barbara, Masters of Science, Computer Science. University of California, Santa Barbara, Bachelor of Science (BS) Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.
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Benedict Perez: Veteran in global capital markets
In 2019, Founded Inflo Capital Partners, a US-based private investment fund focusing on Asia-Pacific investment opportunities. Former COO of Aliya Financial Technology. 20+ years’ experience managing institutional Asian and emerging markets equity sales and trading teams for global financial institutions including Credit Suisse, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Société Générale. Responsible for distributing over $200B of Asia-Pacific primary and secondary equity offerings in North America.
Formed Emerging Fintech Advisors in 2015 to provide advice to financial institutions on how to avoid being disrupted by emerging, technology-based financial innovation. Head of Equities (US) of Standard Chartered Bank (2010 - 2015). Experience with emerging asset classes including blockchain and digital assets at Enigma Securities. Early investor in Alibaba, Spotify, Uber, Palantir and Airbnb and SoFi Technologies. MBA, London Business School. Edmund Hillary Fellow.
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Marcella Grillo: Advisor: Applied and academic expert with biochemical solutions and applications.
Currently a Data Analytics PhD Candidate at the University of Central Florida, researching Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) modeling of Human-on-a-Chip in vitro systems. Focusing on PK/PD relationships to derive a correlation between different opiates and their effects on the lung’s physiology.
Currently works as a Surface Chemistry research assistant at Hesperos Inc. Worked as an undergraduate Chemistry research assistant at the University of Central Florida from 2016-2019. Awarded Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship by University of Central Florida where she worked on her undergraduate research project of "Creating a DNA Computer Using NAND Logic Gates."
Published “Manufacturing Reusable NAND Logic Gates and Their Initial Circuits for DNA Nanoprocessors” in the Chemistry European Journal [PMID: 33002244]. University of Central Florida, Chemistry and Biochemistry.