VENTURE
CAPITAL.
not
vulture capital.
the TEAM
in alphabetical order
MICHAEL FREDERICK MARCOTTE
Founder & CEO
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Michael Marcotte has served as the CEO of numerous companies and corporate boards from startups and fast growth pre-IPO companies to publicly traded companies. He is a proven leader with extraordinary expertise combining polymathic breadth and depth.
He is the former Global Chief Information Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and President (Hughes Cloud Services) of the global EchoStar/EchoStar International/Dish Network/Hughes/SlingTV, etc. family of companies. He was one of the very first people ever, to serve as a Chief Digital Officer for a major global corporation.
He has served as a corporate officer with 7 major corporations. He has M&A experience in billions of dollars of revenue and valuation. He is a partner at New Republic Studios.
Marcotte is a co-founder of the public/private National Cyber Security Center (NCC) and was the founder and Chairman of the NCC’s Rapid Response Center (NCC/RRC) largely absorbed by CIA.
He is a former board member of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). He has been a senior advisor for several state Governors and United State Senators, on both sides of the aisle.
He was a recipient of The Business Journals Forty Under 40 award. He is a two-time winner of the NASA award for engineering excellence and United States Air Force Award of Engineering Excellence. He has a keen interest in CPG and serves on the board of several CPG food companies and LSI nutraceuticals.
In his spare time, he enjoys health-related service work, flying aerobatic aircraft, and data driven longevity research. Michael also has formal legal and medical training. Michael is highly considered one of the best High G force pilots in the world. He was the solo pilot for the Amazon flight performance team, and the backup lead pilot (#7). He has flown with the US Navy, Blue Angels and USAF Thunderbirds.
DR. AMIELLE ABSHIRE
General Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Founder and CEO of Spatium Nexum, a quantum-enabled software company integrating bioindividuality, regenerative nutrition, and consciousness-driven technology. The flagship platforms, Quantum Nutrition and Quantum Pantry, harness Al, real-time blood biometrics, and dynamic ERP-integrated labeling to empower individuals, healthcare systems, and global food networks toward optimal health sovereignty.
Amielle has a unique blend of experience as an international Gulfstream captain, U.S. Army National Guard veteran, and Integrative Medicine PhD, she leads with a systems-architect mindset and a healer's heart. Her work is devoted to expanding human potential, advancing quantum biology, and building technologies that prepare humanity for a 900-year DNA lifespan
SALMAN AL BAHRI
General Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Salman Al Bahri is an accomplished professional with a diverse background spanning over a decade in both public service and the finance sector. He began his career as a First Lieutenant with the Ministry of Interior in Bahrain, where he dedicated many years to serving his country and honing his leadership skills.
Transitioning from public service to finance, Salman held senior positions at various prestigious financial and investment institutions. Notably, he contributed to Rain Management, a leading player in Bahrain's cryptocurrency landscape, where he navigated the complexities of digital finance.
Salman's expertise further expanded during his tenure as a consultant at American Express, where he was responsible for managing the prestigious Centurion Black Card members throughout the Middle East, leveraging Bahrain's strategic location as the headquarters.
His career took a significant leap when he became a Director at Blacksand, a prominent real estate investment company in the UK, where he played a crucial role in driving investment strategies and growth initiatives.
Currently, Salman is the founder of Elite Concept, a lifestyle and wealth management company dedicated to providing tailored services that enhance the lives of its clients. His extensive background in finance and investment, combined with his commitment to excellence, positions Elite Concept as a leader in the industry.
LT. GENERAL EDWARD CARDON (Ret.)
General Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Lieutenant General Edward C. Cardon was born in Texas, raised in California and was commissioned as an Engineer Officer from the United States Military Academy in 1982.
LTG Cardon has commanded at every level from company through Army Service Component Command. Some of his assignments include Observer/Controller at the National Training Center; Strategist to the Army Chief of Staff; Commander, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division; Deputy Commandant, US Army Command and General Staff College; Deputy Commanding General (Support), United States Forces -- Iraq; Commanding General, 2d Infantry Division, Republic of Korea; and Commanding General, US Army Cyber Command and 2d Army.
LTG Cardon has deployed in support of IFOR/SFOR Bosnia-Herzegovina and on four separate occasions in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
His education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree from the United States Military Academy and two Masters Degrees - one from the National War College and the other from the United States Naval Command and Staff College, both in National Security and Strategic Studies.
Lieutenant General Cardon is married and has three children.
LT. GENERAL ROSS COFFMAN (Ret.)
General Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Ross Coffman is the founder of Coffman and Associates LLC, a consulting and advisory firm. The firm specializes in strategic and operational planning to improve management skills, change culture, enhance business operations, and drive organizational productivity. The firm has proven success in the government, corporate, academic, and non-profit sectors.
Ross serves as the President of Forward Edge AI, a Board member of The Federal Savings Bank, and as a member of the Board of Advisors for multiple successful companies. He is also a member of the Washington Speaker Bureau and a Senior Advisor for Ernst and Young.
General Coffman retired from the United States Army with over 35 years of distinguished military service as an Armor officer. He commanded units in nearly every echelon and served in multiple deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Eastern Europe, Bosnia, and Haiti. General Coffman also served in the generating force training large units for combat. In his final assignment in the military, General Coffman served as the Deputy Commander of United States Army’s Futures Command in Austin, Texas.
General Coffman received numerous awards for his individual actions and as a member of heroic units. He is enshrined by Centre College as a Distinguished Alumnus. He is the recipient of the Harvey Leadership Award, MacArthur Leadership Award, Draper Leadership Award, Significant Sigma Chi Award, and is an Eagle Scout.
General Coffman holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Centre College, a Master’s Degree in business administration from Embry Riddle University, and a National Security Fellowship at Harvard’s Kennedy School.
General Coffman is from Fort Knox, Kentucky and is an enthusiastic, but terrible golfer.
MICAH FINK
Philanthropic Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Founder & CEO, Horses and Heroes
Micah Fink is a family man, horse packer, Navy Seal, Ironman, woodsman and hunter. He founded Heroes and Horses, which has helped transform the lives of scores of American veterans through horseback wilderness experiences deep in Montana’s backcountry (as profiled in YETI’s film, One Eighty Out).
GUS HUNT
General Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Gus Hunt is an American cybersecurity expert, and former intelligence officer. He is the managing director and cyber strategy former lead for Accenture Federal Services.
NIKHIL MELNECHUK
Director of Film & Productions
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Nikhil Melnechuk is a filmmaker and co-founder of Mystic Entertainment, whose work has spanned the independent film landscape. His Nashville music feature production THE EASY KIND is now playing in theaters after its Telluride premiere, and his critically acclaimed New York spoken word documentary DON’T BE NICE is available on FUSE+ and Prime Video. Melnechuk directed the Texas neo-Western drama DAISY coming soon, and co-directed the music video for Morgan’s Wade’s “Hardwood Floor” streaming now. He formerly ran New York City’s storied poetry non-profit, the Bowery Poetry Club, and currently sits on the board of the family services charity Marilyn Violet Foundation and arts organizations Satellite Collective and Semester Cinema.
CHET RAO
General Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Chet has 20+ years experience in consumer products and healthcare. He has experience at Fortune 200 companies and large healthcare institutions. Dr. Rao has demonstrated track record in strategic transactions, both buy and sell-side, for deal values ranging from $5-$500 MM. Dr. Rao is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in general management, innovation, and M&A.
HAGAY DANIEL RISKIN
General Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Hagay is a fresh mind who continues to make a rapid ascension in the technology sector making waves as a cybersecurity and intelligence industry expert. Hi experience leading large-scale cybersecurity, cloud, and critical infrastructure programs across defence, finance, healthcare, and national infrastructure sectors have made long-lasting impact in the foundations of the healthcare, banking and defense sectors.
Hagay is a powerhouse innovator and IT infrastructure architect who led the deployment of Maccabi Healthcare Group’s Assuta Medical Center new hospital data center (Assuta Ashdod). While Head of Technology at Mekorot, Israel National Water Company, he launched large-scale systems including Data Lakes, IoT/SCADA, and other cyber defense platforms currently used today. Previously Head of Cloud Technologies & Cyber/Network Projects at Discount Bank and Head of Technological Development (R&D & Cloud Solutions) for the Israeli Defence Forces Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) he brings an expert eye to the industry.
Now serving as President of the Board of Directors at The Consortium Innovation Hub Ltd., his focused eye on development of emerging technologies and strategic collaboration with startups is able to further expand his vision to bring information technology solutions to a wider range of industries.
Hagay was born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel and carries High-level civilian clearance.
RIDGE SAMPSON
General Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Ridge is an established entrepreneur, having founded three successful companies prior to Sycle. In 1993, he founded Ozone Advertising, a digital marketing and advertising agency. In 2001, Ridge co-founded Sycle, bringing his experience and knowledge of best practices from the agency side, helping to better understand and serve the needs of Sycle’s clients. Thanks to his offline experience in messaging, branding and design, Ridge helps create rich online experiences that are seamless to users and is currently on Verijet Board as well as a serial investor, advisor in a handful of start up companies.
When Ridge isn’t working he spends every minute with his seven year-old son who is in training to windsurf, mountain bike, and snowboard with Dad.
ZOHAR STOLOVICH
Chief of Security & Advisor
Executive in Residence (XIR)
CEO, Dror Security
Zohar is a Major (Res.), firearms, combat, and Krav Maga instructor. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Human Resources from Ben-Gurion University, and is a graduate of the Glilot College’s Command and Staff Program. Zohar has extensive experience in command and project management, security consultant to organizations and private clients in Israel and worldwide
DAVIS WALSH
General Investment Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Having launched into investment banking for a only a short time, Davis pivoted to owning and sourcing successful partnerships and deals of his own. Davis is focused on late stage pre-IPO companies in the Aerospace, Defense, and Deep Technology industries. Since his foray into the investment landscape, Davis has already established himself as an asset in the industry, a thought leader and continues to rise as the next generation of industry leading experts. Davis graduated from Pepperdine University in 2024 with a degree in finance.
ED WATAL
General Partner
Executive in Residence (XIR)
Founder, Intellibus
Ed Watal is a Serial Tech Entrepreneur and Innovator. One of Ed's key projects include a transformative peer-to-peer approach to the internet and promoting BigParser (an Ethical AI Platform and an A Data Commons for the World). Ed is also the founder and principal of Intellibus, an IT and AI strategy consultancy, where he is an advisor to Board Members and C Level executives at the World's Largest Financial Institutions and holds a Top Secret level security clearance. Prior to setting up his own ventures, Ed worked in several financial institutions, including RBS, Deutsche Bank and Citigroup.
Ed is also the Lead Faculty for the AI Masterclass a joint operation between NYU SPS (New York University's School of Professional Studies and Intellibus). He has author numerous articles and one of the defining books on cloud fundamentals, Cloud Basics.
In collaboration with Forbes Books, Ed is due to publish a new book on AI and its future influence on the world. Ed also has considerable teaching experience and has lectured at universities and business schools including Stanford and NYU, where he leads the AI Master Class for board level executives.
RACHEL J. COGAN
Chief of Staff
Rachel is a strategic brand, marketing and operations executive with 20+ years of experience across CPG, arts, sports, entertainment and technology. Her background spans leadership roles with Amazon Ads, Weber Shandwick and Roots Canada, alongside entrepreneurial and consulting ventures focused on brand growth, partnerships and strategic communications.
At Amazon, Rachel built and scaled a global enablement program focused on Brand Stores (now Stores), ROI, customer journey and creative strategy for internal sales teams and brand partners. The initiative grew from approximately 50 Store builds per month in Q2 to more than 1,000 total builds by year-end, contributing to upwards of $2M+ in incremental Sponsored Brands ad revenue in single quarter.
Known for combining creative vision with critical thinking and operational execution, Rachel specializes in strategic partnerships, cross-functional leadership and translating complex ideas into measurable business impact. She is also a mentor and guest speaker who has lectured at the University of Toronto and OCAD University on marketing, communications and digital strategy.
YOUNES DINA
Operations Director, Israel
Graduated top of his class from international Catholic studies, Younes then completed his BSc at Ariel University for civil engineering and holds a security clearance. Younes is an experienced team leader having managed upwards of 50 employees at once across multiple industries including direct sales and hospitality. He is an active financial expert with close to a decade in stock and equity trading. Younes was born fourth generation in Jaffa to a family of entrepreneurs.
NIKITA CHERVYAKOV
Artist in Residence
Born and raised in Russia, Nikita completed two bachelors and two masters degrees. He worked in MGIMO University and Russian Presidential Academy as a project manager. Reunited with Israel in 2022, he started a career as a solo artist and has been working hard from the ground up as a basic loader on a plant for three years to fund and build his own collection of art called “Luminalism” and hold his own gallery at Dizengoff which continues to bring great success to his art
ZAC BELL
Intern
Creator, AlwaysHockey
Former professional hockey player turned internationally renowned content creator, brand partner and hockey trick shot icon with 3M+ followers with 30M+ likes across his content channels.
Intern
Artius Global Group LTD
801 Barton Springs Road, Austin TX 78704