Our Leadership
With backgrounds spanning IBM, SoftBank, Siemens, and National Grid, our team combines corporate venture capital expertise, startup acceleration experience, and global industry networks. Together, we connect entrepreneurs and corporates to accelerate AI innovation in agriculture, energy, health, and advanced manufacturing.
Venture Expertise
Decades of experience from IBM, SoftBank, Siemens, and National Grid, bringing unmatched insight into venture capital and innovation strategy.
Startup Acceleration
Hands-on guidance in customer development, product–market fit, and scaling, with a track record of helping startups grow and exit successfully.
Global Networks
A powerful ecosystem of corporates, universities, and governments connects entrepreneurs to accelerate AI adoption in critical industries.
Deborah Magid
Deborah is a former Director at IBM Ventures and Software Strategy where she built a vast network of VCs, Corporate VCs, technology experts, universities and governments. Deborah also brings strong Corporate VC and M+A experience. Her expertise spans the industries and technologies that are a focus of our fund, particularly AI, cyber security and deep tech; as well as industry domains in climate and energy, healthcare, agriculture and more.
Deborah is in demand as a speaker and pitch judge and is a guest lecturer at top MBA schools. Her experience is global and includes guiding startups to prepare for alliances, acquisitions and investment. Deborah’s relationships and experience are key assets for NextStar.
Swati Dasgupta
Swati is a leader in corporate venturing and VC from Softbank, IBM VC Group, Siemens / Next47 and National Grid Partners. She has championed and accelerated hundreds of startups, working with CEOs on customer development, product-market fit and strategic alignment with large companies – resulting in sales, scale ups and acquisitions.
As a senior leader at CVCs, she served as trusted advisor to incumbent CEOs, CTOs, and Chief Digital Officers to accelerate startup-based innovation and digital transformation. Swati is an innovator in merging CVC with first-of-a-kind networks to accelerate portfolio outcomes and returns. At National Grid Partners, she co-founded and led the Next Grid Alliance, a network of ~120 utilities.