Investing in governance The role of NEDs in the Start-up and VC Ecosystem
Sponsored by Brown Rudnick
Hosted by the Institute of Directors' Emerging Non-Executive Directors Special Interest Group, this event will provide invaluable insights into how NEDs drive governance, strategy, and investment success.
The program features a keynote address followed by a dynamic panel discussion, bringing together a wealth of perspectives from founders, investors, chairpersons, and seasoned NEDs. This is an exceptional opportunity to network with industry leaders and gain strategic insights into the ever-evolving role of NEDs in the governance of start-ups.
- Agenda:
- 5:30pm - Arrival
- 6:00pm - Opening remarks
- 6:05pm - Keynote speech
- 6:15pm - Panel discussion
- 6:45pm - Open audience Q&A
- 7:20pm - Networking
- 8:30pm - Close
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our venue partner, Brown Rudnick. As an international law firm with offices in key financial centers across the United States and the United Kingdom, Brown Rudnick is known for combining ingenuity with deep experience to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients in high-stakes litigation and complex business transactions.
The firm is committed to providing partner-driven service, fostering collaboration among its lawyers to prioritize the client’s best interest, and focusing on excellence over scale. Brown Rudnick is recognized as a leader in crucial practice areas, including crisis management—encompassing restructuring, investigations, and special situations—global litigation, life sciences, technology, and brand and reputation protection.
Speakers
Angela Stalhi
Angela is a C-Level Executive, Board Member, Advisor, and Chair in the financial services, sustainability and emerging technology sectors. Her multicultural background and diverse international experience in blue-chip and growth companies, as well as her involvement in the public and private sectors, bring great value to the advancement and prosperity of the institutions she serves.
Passionate about technology, sustainability, and innovation, Angela leverages her qualifications and diverse international experience to assist companies in growing, innovating, and contributing positively to society, the economy, and the environment.
Angela frequently speaks at international forums in front of the public, governments, and media. She writes articles and designs and delivers trainings on Artificial Intelligence, Organisational Development, Design Thinking, Corporate Governance, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Growth.
Dr Laurent Pacheco
Dr. Laurent Pacheco is a board member and investor with Solas BioVentures, a US-based VC firm focusing on Life Sciences. He joined PWC and later became head of Life Sciences at BearingPoint, then Managing Director at Syneos Health. He is a Medical Doctor with a PhD and an MBA, and research director at King’s College London. Laurent is a frequent speaker and author on healthcare economics and finance.
Gajan Rajanathan
Gajan Rajanathan is a General Partner at Highland Europe, a growth stage VC firm with €3+ BN AUM. He focuses on €20-80M+ investments in software, internet, and fintech, with a portfolio including GetYourGuide, Nexthink, Zwift and WeTransfer. Gaj currently serves on the boards of Cobalt.io, ActiveFence, and SoSafe. Holding an S.B. degree from MIT, his interests span Chelsea FC, travel, photography, rugby, cricket, poker, and wine.
Nelson Soares
Nelson Soares is a C-Level Executive, Board Member, Advisor, and Investor with a diverse background in cybersecurity, information technology, and strategic growth sectors. His global experience spans regions including EMEA, LATAM, and APAC, where he helps organizations scale, innovate, and succeed.
As the Founder & CEO of C-Vision International and NS Advisory Group Inc., Nelson advises startups and established companies on governance, strategy, and investment decisions.
Passionate about technology and innovation, Nelson leverages his expertise to help companies thrive and contribute positively to the economy and society.
Nelson regularly speaks at industry events and provides thought leadership on corporate governance, entrepreneurship, and investment growth, while fostering resilience and accountability within organizations.
Nzube Ufodike
Nzube trained as a computer scientist and today enjoys an active portfolio career as an entrepreneur, investor (angel/VC), content creator (TV producer & podcast), and trusted advisor. He is a co-founder of Amoo Angels, a UK based angel network. He also serves as a board member and advisor to early and growth stage businesses in the UK and emerging markets. Former investment manager at one of the UK's largest CVCs with >300 ventures and a start-up portfolio valuation of 1.5B USD. He currently serves as a fundraising coach / entrepreneur-in-residence for other accelerator programmes.
He has raised over 50M USD for various early stage and scale-up ventures. Some companies in his personal portfolio include Academy of Robotics, Audiomob, Cashmere, Homemove, Kainji Resources, MOONHUB, Ofixu, Renewables in Africa, SMADE Group, and yHangry.
He is devoted to building better communities through volunteering work in various underrepresented groups (incl. Black, women, LGBTQIA+, and youth) and volunteers as a trustee/board chair/member at The Africa Centre, The British Computer Society Foundation, Queen Mary University of London and the IoD England Emerging NEDs specialist group.
Sponsors
Brown Rudnik
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