People

Mark is a pioneer in Space Tech investment having co-founded the Seraphim Space Fund and invested into a portfolio which includes three companies that have achieved billion-dollar valuations. Previously, Mark was a director at YFM Equity Partners, the firm behind the high profile British Smaller Companies VCT 1 & 2. He also worked at Brewin Dolphin and Williams de Broe. He completed his undergraduate degree in Accounting & Finance, Masters in Economics and Finance from the University of Leeds.

James Bruegger, the co-founder and CIO of Seraphim, is a prolific venture capitalist investor in the global Space Tech domain. James was the early VC investor in Arqit, Iceye, LeoLabs and D-Orbit and led investments in several companies that went public including Spire Global and AST & Science. Previously he worked at YFM Equity Partners and Burlington Consultants, a boutique strategy consultancy that was acquired by Deloitte & Touche. James holds a first class degree in History from University College London.

Rob Desborough is a Partner in the Seraphim Space Fund and CEO of Seraphim Space Camp Accelerator, now one of the world’s leading accelerator programmes for Space Tech start-ups, which he launched in 2018. Rob heads up the Early Stage Investment activity for Seraphim. Rob has over 20 years’ technology Venture Capital experience in both investment and operational roles from start-up and university spin-out through to early-stage, growth, development, and IPOs. Prior to Seraphim, Rob was with YFM Equity Partners as an Investment Director. Rob has been a board observer or director for over 35 companies internationally, including the world’s leading social listening company Brandwatch. Rob holds a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Glasgow and a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Information Technology Systems from the University of Strathclyde.

Ms. Johnson has a long and distinguished career as founder/co-founder of such space ventures as SES ASTRA, SES Global, Loral-Teleport Europe, Europe Online, as well as having played critical roles in bringing about space sector leaders including Iridium and ILS. An experienced venture capitalist and investor, Ms. Johnson has been a member of the Strategic Committee of Iris Capital for the past decade and until recently has served as President of the European Business Angel Network, now President Emeritus.  Ms. Johnson serves and has served on the boards of a number of emerging space leaders including NorthStar Earth and Space and Kacific.  She is also the founding president of the VATM, the Association of Private Telecom Operators, co-founder of the Global Telecom Women’s Network (GTWN) and co-founder of the Middle East and North Africa Business Angel Network (MBAN) and the African Business Angel Network (ABAN).

Matt O’Connell is a recognised thought leader in the geospatial intelligence industry. Currently an Operating Partner at DCVC, Matt has been working with Seraphim since 2018. Before that, he was CEO of OneWeb until July 2016. In 2006, he founded GeoEye (NASDAQ: GEOY), a leading global provider of satellite and aerial imagery and digital mapping information, which was acquired by DigitalGlobe in 2013. He has served on several private company boards and government and industry advisory commissions.

Ann Winblad is a Managing Director of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, a venture capital firm she co-founded in 1989. She is a well-known and respected software industry entrepreneur and technology leader. Her background and years of experience in the software industry have been chronicled in many national and international business publications.

Hummer Winblad Venture Partners was the first venture firm focused exclusively on software. In her 30-year career as a venture capitalist, Ann’s firm has launched over 160 enterprise software companies and led investments that pioneered successful companies across the enterprise software sector: Business Intelligence, Analytics, Software Development, Integration, Data Center Optimization, Cloud Computing and Security.

Ann has a successful history of sourcing and leading investments in early stage software companies and has served as a Director of numerous private and public companies including MuleSoft, Hyperion, Sonatype, The Knot, Liquid Audio, Net Perceptions, and Ace Metrix. She currently serves as a Director of OptiMine. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of St. Thomas and a Board member of the Richard Schulze Family Foundation. Ann is also a member of CNBC’s Platinum Group.

Anthony has 25 years of early stage angel investment and venturing experience. He is the former Managing Director and founder of Newable Private Investing (previously trading as London Business Angels) which is one of the UK’s longest established and most active angel groups.

He is the former Chairman of the UK Business Angels Association, and President Emeritus of the European Business Angel Network.

Josephine brings more than a decade of experience in investment/equity research following the aerospace industry. Her research coverage has included a wide range of small-to-mid cap Defence and Security Technology companies, such as space (DigitalGlobe and GeoEye), drones (AeroVironment) robots (iRobot), and threat detection. She worked most recently at the Benchmark Company, where she established a Washington D.C. office prior to relocating to Paris, France. She began her equity research career covering Global Communications at JP Morgan. Josephine received her MBA from Georgetown University and bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Riverside.

Jeff brings more than a decade of operational and venture capital experience focused around deep technology. Prior to Seraphim Jeff managed strategy at Viasat, a provider of satellite broadband and secure networking systems for defence and commercial markets. Jeff worked across a variety of early stage start-ups including as co-founder and CEO of DeepSee, a next generation augmented and virtual reality optics company. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Jeff led climate tech venture capital investments at DTE Energy Ventures. Jeff holds a BS in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work he enjoys digital design, playing rugby, and gardening.

Andre joins Seraphim Space as Investment Director following a career focussed on the space sector, working for almost a decade at Virgin Management – the family office of Sir Richard Branson. Andre co-led the seed investment in One Web in 2015 and was instrumental in investments into Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit. During this time Andre worked hand-in-hand with the boards and C-level teams of each of these three pioneering space businesses, helping shape them into the $billion businesses they are today.

Trisha holds a Masters in Physics degree from Imperial College London. She worked for two years at HSBC Asset Management as a member of various investment teams including equity research, sales, product specialism, and product development.

In addition, Trisha is closely involved in various space-related initiatives, including being on the Organising Board and a judge at the UK Space Design Competition since 2015, which runs national hackathon-style events for high school students to design futuristic space settlements in response to industry-level design briefs.

Since 2019 she has been on the Board of Trustees of the Space Science and Engineering Foundation, helping to oversee the running of the charity and other programs which aim to upskill young students in areas such as finance, engineering, and medicine

Lucas joins Seraphim as an Analyst in November 2021, shortly after spending 2 months with Seraphim’s investment team as a Summer Intern.

Prior to joining Seraphim, Lucas worked at Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage. He initially joined through their Engineering Apprenticeship programme, and then followed on to become a Mechanical Design Engineer for Telecommunication Spacecraft Structures. His work primarily concerned structural and propulsion system concessions, but also extended to design projects for Additive Layer Manufacture (ALM) bracketry. In this time, Lucas also completed a part-time degree in Engineering (BEng Hons) from the University of Warwick and secured a first-class result.

Lewis holds a First-class Aeronautics and Astronautics MEng degree from the University of Southampton, specialising in Spacecraft Engineering. He has worked as a Thermal Analyst in the Rotatives department at Rolls-Royce, primarily focusing on the safety aspects of jet engines on Civil Aircraft. He also completed an internship at RBS in the Data and Analytics division. He is an avid Welsh Rugby supporter and a certified snowboard instructor.

Christiana is Seraphim Capital’s Executive Assistant, and joined the team at the start of 2017. She acquired over 15 years’ experience as a PA and Bookkeeper in the fashion industry before leaving in 2016 to work as an Executive Assistant at Deloitte. During her time at Deloitte, she supported Partners and Directors in the Human Capital and Financial Services departments within the Consulting division. In her spare time she is a keep fit enthusiast, enjoying regular spin and step aerobics classes.

As Accelerator Manager, Sam is responsible for the development of all startups within Seraphim Space Camp. This role requires him work closely with a number of investors, mentors and corporate partners to ensure the programmes ongoing success and future growth.  

 Prior to joining Seraphim, Sam has worked within the innovation ecosystem for a number of years, where he has developed a strong understanding of venture building and early-stage investment. Sam has previosly worked at L Marks and, most recently at Connected Places Catapult, where he helped shape their new Future of Air Mobility accelerator.

 Sam completed his undergraduate studies in Business & Management at The University of Buckingham and holds a Masters degree in Management & Entrepreneurship from Cranfield University.

Beth leads activity for the Seraphim Space Camp Accelerator in the Americas, and supports broader Business Development initiatives.
Prior to joining Seraphim, Beth was at the UK’s Department for International (DIT) in which she held several roles, most recently US Sector Lead for Defense, Security & Space based in DC. In this role, she led a high-achieving 8-person team across the US working to enhance UK industry’s positioning as commercial partners of choice in the US. During her 4-year tenure, Beth drove $Ms dollars in UK exports to the US, developed the UK Government’s North American commercial strategy for the defense & security and space sectors, and further honed her fascination for the space sector.
Beth holds a Master of Public Policy Degree from Pepperdine University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Ave Maria University where she was a 4-year intercollegiate softball player and team captain.
In her free time, she enjoys getting out in nature as much as possible, including snowboarding in the winter, learning the acoustic guitar, and taking day-trips to new destinations.

Simran is a new member of the Seraphim Space Camp team and brings three years of experience in delivering events and a degree in English Literature and Creative writing.

Before joining Seraphim Space Camp, Simran was at Anthony Nolan, a blood cancer awareness charity. She ran the engagement events, working with and liaising with the charity’s supporters and the clinicians working within the sector. At Ambition Institute, she helped run the future leaders programme, which supported assistant headteachers reaching headship, a fulfilling experience assisting professionals in accelerating their careers.

Simran is excited to learn more about the SpaceTech sector and use these skills to support the accelerator programme’s delivery whilst working with exciting new SpaceTech startups.

During lockdown, Simran started a new blogging project that has become a passion for her; here she reviews all manner of things focusing on skincare. When she’s not writing a blog post or reading some poetry, you will find her listening to music whilst cuddling her two cats, Pixie and Snowy, who have made lockdown life a lot more enjoyable!

Zainab is the startup and venture lead for the Seraphim Space Camp programme. This involves providing support for start-ups throughout their journey and cooperating with external investors.

Zainab holds a degree in BEng (Hons) Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Glasgow. After taking part in many aerospace projects throughout university, she has a dedicated interest in innovative Space technologies. With this passion and her technical expertise, she is starting to build up her knowledge around VC investment into SpaceTech to support our alumni as they continue to raise investment and help with the Seraphim selection process.

Before joining Seraphim Space Camp, Zainab was an analyst at Goldman Sachs, where she was able to add investment and business knowledge to her existing skillset as an aeronautical engineer. This combination of experiences provides a unique perspective to support Space start-ups in their journey to investment readiness.

Outside of her aerospace interests, Zainab enjoys following the latest in Formula One racing and is a keen traveller.

Piers is a new member of the team and is the Programme Intern. He will be responsible for supporting other members of the team deliver the programme as well as taking a lead on communications.

Piers is currently a Business and Management student at the University of Exeter and is joining Seraphim for his year in industry. He is curious about strategy and scaling organisations, particularly with the collaboration between scientific and business experts to solve the world’s most complex problems.

Outside of Seraphim, Piers founded a non-partisan organisation to engage young people with politics at the age of 16 and serves on the board of a cross-party think tank.