OUR TEAM
Our talent lies in recognizing iconic founders and guiding them through the minefield that every startup must cross. With over 100 years of combined experience in launching technology and innovation projects, we know how to navigate difficulties and come out on top during turbulent times. Firsthand industry knowledge with financial expertise is what sets us apart from our competitors and allows us to identify cutting edge technologies before anyone else.
ADVISORY BOARD
Michael-Pierre Kirstein
Michael is a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience in the value creation business to identify and implement operational improvements across the valuechain, creating more than €650M EUR of value in the past three years with focus on ESG and SDG related topics. As a trusted advisor he has worked in investment banking for more than 8 years covering M&A support services EMEAA for a New York based investment bank.
Based in Munich, Germany.
Michael Perschke
Associated Investment Director
Michael is an automotive & tech veteran with extensive experience in the automotive industry on all levels – from running his own large retail organization with brands like BMW, MINI, BMW M and Lotus to the global HQ of Volkswagen Group and AUDI AG. At AUDI AG Michael was in charge of the electric car strategy.
Based in Munich, Germany.
Chairman of the Advisory Board
Jose Luis Guillot Gimeno
Engineer with over 25 years of experience in multinational and family-owned companies in industrial, construction-related, and energy sectors all over the world: China, Europe, and Central America. Performing functions of commercial, service, general management, and consulting.
Based in Madrid, Spain.
Herb Zein
Herb has over 35 years of experience in project development, engineering management, power generation and energy conservation. He has been responsible for the development of numerous steam and power production projects, as well as the purchase and sale of energy-related businesses.
Based in Minneapolis, MN
John Upperton
John is a seasoned professional with 30 years of experience delivering value across the full supply chain. For 12 years, he was a UK Board member delivering significant growth in the consumer products sector. In more recent years he has delivered support for SMEs in the UK sector through a wide network of Investment partners. His particular focus is in the ESG sector helping start-up and established technologies support the transition to net-zero.
Based in Worcester, United Kingdom.
Younes Haffane
Younes is an entrepreneur and a consultant with an engineering background. He has 18 years of experience in management consulting, digital transformation projects, and renewable energy programs. He led multiple projects in such sectors as Financial Services, Telecom, Energy, and Mining across the US, Europe, and the MENA region.
Based in Luxembourg
Jürgen F. Amraoui
Jurgen is an international leader with expertise in strategy, business development, and EU consulting. Holding Master degrees in Economics, International Relations, and Business Administration, he serves as a Senator at the Senate of Economy Europe, offering insights from his broad experience. Fluent in French, English, and German, Jurgen excels in cross-cultural business environments. He previously worked as Attaché for International Relations for the French and German governments.
Based in Strasbourg, France.
Evgeni Utkin
Evgeni is a high-tech pioneer and a prominent figure in the knowledge exchange process between Western and Eastern Europe. He is a founder of a $2.3B IT company, an angel investor and strategic adviser of multiple high-tech startups, and a notable philanthropist.
Based in Alicante, Spain
Melissa Eisdell
Melissa is a strategic stakeholder communications & marketing engagement professional passionate about technology and innovation with a focus on driving the ESG and sustainability agendas. She has 18 years’ experience covering technology partnerships and alliances, geopolitical para-diplomacy, financial media, financial and professional services, ESG investment, and renewables (EV, battery storage, SMART).
Based in London, United Kingdom
Gordon Chen
Gordon is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of leadership experience and a strong management consulting background. He has been President Asia of Proudfoot and President North Asia of Alexander Proudfoot PLC. Previously, Gordon was an Executive Director of Lippo Group, a listed diversified group with business activities in China, the U.S., and the Asia Pacific.
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Bret Hong
Bret has many years of experience in business development, industrial sales management, government relations, financial advisory, cross-border investment between Europe and China, and consulting services helping foreign companies succeed in China. Before the FUND4SE, Bret held several senior management positions in Chinese, European, and US companies. Bret holds an MBA degree from INSEAD.
Based in China
Dmitry Grigoriev
Experienced Entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in General Management roles in traditional and green energy sectors. Dmitry not only successfully led a number of multi-billion M&A transactions, but also launched several successful startups. Skilled in Business Processes optimizations, Mergers Negotiations, Business Planning, Algorithmic and Derivatives Trading. Strong sales professional with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) focused inInternational Finance from SDA Bocconi.
Ivan Sidorok
Ivan is a Singapore-based entrepreneur and investor. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance and MBA from a leading university. His broad network gives associates access to decision-makers in Asia, MENA, and Africa. He believes in resolving humanity's energy and food supply problems through innovation and win-win partnerships. His experience includes FMCG, building startup communities through education, and making successful trans-cultural Joint Ventures and cooperation.
John Cook
John has over 30 years of experience as a senior executive fundraiser. He served as Director of Principal Gifts for the Johns Hopkins University securing donations ranging from $1M to $75M. Working with corporate leaders, family offices, entrepreneurs, Nobel Laureates, higher education leaders and members of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, John has established relationships resulting in significant advances in industry, science, and research.