Our Team
Brian Bell - Founder and Managing Partner
Brian has cultivated the firm into a formidable entity with thousands of investors and $15 million in AUM, spanning 160+ early-stage investments. With a rich background in tech at Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, where he notably launched the SageMaker AI Marketplace, Brian brings extensive experience in product development and AI. His financial and business acumen is rooted in a Finance degree from the University of Washington and an MBA from UC Berkeley, complemented by diverse roles from Boeing to Wall Street. Now based in Northern California, Brian balances his professional endeavors with family life, basketball, and hosting the Ignite Podcast, delving into conversations about the innovations that define our era.
Simon Hayhurst - General Partner
Simon has over 25 years of product leadership experience. As a 4-time Chief Product Officer, Simon has scaled AI companies from $2M to $500M ARR, led two successful exits (IPO and private equity sale), and managed acquisitions ranging from $10M to $150M. With deep expertise in corporate development and advising companies across industries, Simon brings a strategic perspective to scaling and transforming startups into market leaders.
Renata Bell - Operating Partner
Renata specializes in go-to-market strategy and growth acceleration. With over 20 years of experience, she has held leadership roles in marketing for high-growth startups and scaled multiple businesses to $30M+ in revenue. At LinkedIn, Renata led GTM for its largest product lines, including Talent Solutions, a $12B business. Renata’s expertise in building scalable growth engines and her expansive network make her a trusted advisor to early-stage founders aiming to achieve rapid market impact.