Alessandro Zago Email & Phone Number

San Francisco, California, US

A early-stage, global (San Francisco, Hong Kong, Munich, Sao Paulo) venture capital firm focused on Frontier (Robotics, AI, Spacetech, Materials), Enterprise (Big Data, Cybersecurity, Products/Services), Healthcare (Healthtech, Biotech, Pharma, Medical Devices, Longevity), FinTech, and Consumer. https://www.vuventurepartners.com

San Francisco, California, US

Head of the Fintech Acceleration Program and startup mentor

San Francisco, CA, US

• Switzerland's global innovation network to promote Swiss Innovation under Switzerland Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation.
• Mentor of Swiss Tech Startups, e.g. cleantech, climate tech, health tech

Toronto, Ontario, CA

• A Global Venture Fund
• Advisor to global portfolio startups

• Stealth mode startup developing a novel data platform for autonomous vehicles through a GenAI approach
• Oversee all aspects of business development, GTM and fundraising of the startup

• Climate tech startup developing novel, high-efficiency ocean’s desalination processes and harnessing ocean’s power. Launched during 2023 NSIN Foundry Program, the DoD Venture Studio.
• Oversee all aspects of business planning, technology development, business development, GTM, and fundraising of the startup – working with US Navy Labs

Arlington, Virginia, US

• Department of Defense Venture Studio Program to build startups
• Selected in the 2023 Foundry Program.
• Ranked second, co-founded and spun-out Torr Water Technology with a breakthrough water desalination technology and IP of the US Navy.

Oakland, CA, US

• Investments’ firm focused on B2B2C/B2C venture opportunities seed to C round in sustainable and green consumer tech, including mobility, logistics, materials, ESG, health tech
• Source, evaluate, and conduct due diligence on investment opportunities and close deals in mobility, autonomy, materials, ESG, software, and health tech

Washington, District Of Columbia, US

• Largest US government contractor and consulting firm in international development and defense running projects in over 100 countries spanning climate, data, energy, mobility, healthcare
• Recruited to establish and lead the Corporate Development function, spearheading the creation and management of a new Corporate Venture fund. Held a key position as a member of the executive team, reporting to the CEO..
• Formulated and executed an impactful M&A strategy with a focus on the US and international GovCon and GovTech sectors
• Collaborated with investment banks to identify capital sources from institutional investors and PE firms to fuel growth through M&A
• Established and led a dynamic M&A team, leveraging external consulting companies and investment bankers to build a robust pipeline of potential M&A domestic and international targets across the climate, space, data.
• Strategically shifted away from CVC in response to funding constraints, redirecting efforts towards partnerships with leading impact PE firms. This strategy entailed investing as a LP in selected PE funds and.

Seoul, KR

• Corporate Venture Capital arm of Hyundai Motor Group – Silicon Valley, Seoul, Beijing, Berlin, Tel Aviv
• Reported to Head of Venture Investments at Hyundai VC arm. As a Group Leader, oversaw and mentored a team of associates. Led the development and execution of the investment strategy for Hyundai to become a “Smart.
• Successfully sourced, led due diligence, structured, negotiated, executed, and managed venture investments. Established pivotal strategic partnerships with startups across diverse focus areas, including: Mobility.
• Led a $40M investment in 6 startups resulting in 1 IPO, 2 unicorns, with 4.5X MOIC
• Orchestrated strategic key partnerships, delivering business growth, fostering innovation, and strengthening the market positioning of: Hyundai Motor North America (Sales, EVs), Hyundai R&D, Hyundai Air Mobility.
• Selected transformative deals: - Electric Power Systems, a leader in electrifying aviation and eVTOLs, - Tekion, Automotive Retail Cloud,- Factorial Energy, Solid State Battery Technology,

New York, NY, US

• Corporate Venture Capital and Corporate Development arm of Enplas Corp., a $400 million, publicly-traded, Japanese manufacturer and world’s leading supplier of high-precision plastics components in life science.
• Reported to Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer within the Business Strategy & Innovation Office. Built and led a team of 8 direct reports.
• Developed, incubated, launched, and managed a portfolio of 3 new businesses: 1 in Automotive (novel optics and sensors for AVs and AR) and 2 in Life Science (cancer DX, drug development). Achieved the remarkable feat.
• Proactively identified market gaps and white spaces. Strategically drove inorganic growth opportunities through venture investments, M&A, JV, and commercial agreements, leveraging Silicon Valley and global technology.
• Invested in, formed partnerships with, and acquired startups as backbone of each business plan. Served on Boards of Directors of 2 biotech startups and collaborated closely with CEOs on strategy, business development.

San Francisco, CA, US

• Founders Space is one of the world's leading accelerators and incubators, with over 50 partners in 22 countries. Founders Space has helped hundreds of startups scale their businesses, raise capital and go global..
• https://www.foundersspace.com/mentors/alessandro-zago/
• As a Mentor with Founders Space, I helped international startups in a broad range of sectors with business planning, strategy, partnerships, raising capital, scaling their business, and going global.
• In addition, over the years I have advised the following startup accelerators and VC firms and have mentored dozens of international startups with deal sourcing, due diligence, investing, deals, business planning.
• Soso H&C (Korean Brain Computer Interface startup)
• iManageRent (Mobile Property Management platform)

• Korean startup with novel, wearable Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology for Healthcare, Consumer, Education markets. https://soso-g.co.kr/en/
• Advised on business strategy for international and US markets entry and expansion.

San Carlos, CA, US

• NEA- and Bessemer VP-backed clean mobility startup with novel powertrain technology, control, and software for clean automotive – Silicon Valley, China, Japan, India
• Held a pivotal role, reporting directly to the CEO. Built and led a team of 9 cross-functional professionals spanning China, Japan, Korea
• Drove commercialization strategy and business development in international markets, initially focusing on key players within China’s and Japan’s automotive and transportation sectors. Later expanded business activities.
• Sourced, negotiated, and closed royalty-based tech licensing agreement with Geely Holding Group – #5 Chinese OEM. Sourced, developed, and closed agreements with Subaru, Tata, and Flextronics. Built a global pipeline of.
• Instrumental in raising $12M C by acquiring leading investor Mitsui.
• Closed a strategic agreement with China Ministry of Technology's Tech Transfer Center and the U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program. Advanced the company’s commercialization mission by gaining support and seeking.

• Leading Venture Capital firm and portfolio company enabling industrial water reuse through breakthrough energy-, waste-free biotreatment processes. In 2015 APTwater was acquired by McWong Environmental Group.
• Recruited by Kleiner Perkins (KP) partner to lead due diligence and fundraising efforts and build value of APTwater. Provided strategic guidance and served as liaison for prospective investors, Board, CEO, and.
• Raised $22.5M Series B working closely with CEO, Board of Directors, and KP Partners, contributing to startup’s acquisition in 2015

Munich, DE

• Corporate VC and Open Innovation arm of Siemens with the mission of investing, accelerating new tech-based business, acquiring next-gen technology, and commercializing innovation for Siemens BUs.
• Reported to the Group CEO, steering a team of technologists and entrepreneurs dedicated to startup and new product creation to drive growth in the automotive, energy, industrial and healthcare sectors.
• Led 4 venture investments resulting in 1 successful exit and served on 4 Boards. Built and launched 1 start-up. Developed several innovative products and acquired new technology, forging partnerships for Siemens.

Munich, DE

• Rapidly promoted to develop company’s innovation strategy and technology innovation mandate through global partnerships.
• Managed the BMW International Innovation Network, comprising a global team across Munich, Paris, Tokyo, Singapore, and China to identify and foster partnerships with automotive suppliers and tech companies to acquire.
• Deployed 50M € annually to internal innovation programs, e.g. hybrid vehicles, within the Innovation Councils. Sourced and transferred innovation from suppliers into advanced development to support company's innovation.

Munich, DE

• Sourced, evaluated, and partnered with startups. Focus on: advanced materials, nanotechnology, sensors, display technology, electronics. Licensed and transferred to HQ new technology and 6 PoCs with the potential for.

Munich, DE

• Directed software-based projects for the integration of composite materials and structures into future vehicles.

Education record

Global Executive Mba, Business & General Management

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering

Master Of Science (Ms), Aeronautics & Astronautics

Laurea, Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

Executive Education, M&A Executive Program - 2022

Executive Education, Venture Capital Executive Program - 2005