Alessandro Zago, Ph.D., MBA
Education
Stanford University School of Engineering
, -
INSEAD
Global Executive MBA, Business & General Management 2003-10-01 - 2004-12-01
Stanford University
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering 1996-09-01 - 2000-06-01
Stanford University
Master of Science (MS), Aeronautics & Astronautics 1995-09-01 - 1996-06-01
Università degli Studi di Padova
Laurea, Mechanical Engineering 1989-01-01 - 1994-01-01
UC San Diego
, Engineering 1992-01-01 - 1993-01-01
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Executive Education, M&A Executive Program - 2022 -
University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business
Executive Education, Venture Capital Executive Program - 2005 -Work Experience
VU Venture Partners
Current
VU Venture Partners
INNOVIT - Italian Innovation and Culture Hub
Current
INNOVIT - Italian Innovation and Culture Hub
Swissnex in San Francisco
Current
Swissnex in San Francisco
Loyal VC
Current
Loyal VC
Stealth.AI
Current
Stealth.AI
Empire Angel Collective
Current
Empire Angel Collective
Torr Water Technology
Current
Torr Water Technology
NSIN - National Security Innovation Network
2023-06-01 - 2023-12-01
NSIN - National Security Innovation Network
Chemonics International
2022-01-01 - 2023-06-01
Chemonics International
Hyundai Motor Company
2020-01-01 - 2022-03-01
Hyundai Motor Company
Skills
Summary
o VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTOR with a focus on DEEP TECH, bridging traditional VENTURE CAPITAL (VU VP, Kleiner Perkins) with CORPORATE VC (Hyundai, Enplas, Siemens, BMW), and STARTUPS. Proven track record in sourcing, leading, and closing global deals across multiple sectors • INVESTMENT LEADERSHIP: Invested $90M+ across 30+ startups (early to growth-stage) alongside top-tier VCs, resulting in 6 exits and 5 unicorns. Served on 10 Boards • NOTABLE DEALS: DEEPTECH: OPENAI, SPACEX, FIGURE.AI, Tekion (SaaS unicorn), Factorial Energy (stealth-to-unicorn), Solid Power (15x IPO), Gatik.ai (AVs), Tomorrow.io (Climate/SpaceTech), APTwater (acquired) LIFE SCIENCE: Nortis Bio (acquired), Moderna (Pre-IPO), Healx.ai, Kangaroo Biomedical (artificial womb) • TRACK RECORD and Portfolio Excellence: Led Hyundai’s strategic investments and portfolio, achieving a remarkable 4.0 TVPI and 1.0 DPI – top 6% of 2020 vintage o 20+ years of LEADERSHIP in BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT and CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT: Executive roles at Hyundai, Enplas, Siemens, BMW, startups driving strategic growth across automotive, industrial, and tech sectors through strategic partnerships, market expansion, new businesses creation, M&A, and investments • GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Extensive expertise across North America, APAC, EMEA. Successfully navigated complex international markets. Built and led cross-functional teams, drove market entries, and closed strategic deals in China, Japan, India • CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT and Strategic Growth: Deal-maker with a strong track record in identifying and closing global strategic initiatives. Led 20+ commercial agreements, strategic partnerships, M&A, and JVs, fueling business expansion and revenue growth • STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: Forged 5 partnerships across Hyundai BUs (Sales, EVs, AVs, Air Mobility, Logistics), driving sales, operational efficiency, innovation & market leadership • VENTURE BUILDER and OPERATOR: Co-founded and launched 3 start-ups (Data/AI, Climate Tech, Energy), and 3 revenue-generating new businesses at Enplas in automotive and life science. Raised over $35M+ in 2 startups and generated $30M+ in ARR o EDUCATION: I hold a Global MBA from INSEAD, a PhD in ME from Stanford University and a MS in Aeronautics & Astronautics from Stanford University
