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.

Francesca Tabor - Investor Relations

Francesca Tabor is a dynamic and results-driven Investor Relations professional with over 10 years of experience in entrepreneurship, fundraising and venture capital. Currently serving as the Head of Investor Relations at Team Ignite, Francesca plays a key role in managing relationships with institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, and corporate partners, ensuring seamless communication and alignment on investment strategies.

With a passion for storytelling and a sharp eye for strategic communications, Francesca has helped Team Ignite build and maintain a strong brand presence in the global investment community. In addition to traditional investor relations functions, Francesca has led Team Ignite’s outreach programs to build relationships with potential co-investors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders within the tech and venture ecosystem.

Known for their unwavering commitment to transparency, Francesca ensures that both investors and the firm’s portfolio companies receive timely and accurate information, fostering trust and long-term relationships. Outside of their professional achievements, Francesca is an advocate for diversity in tech investing, actively supporting initiatives that provide more opportunities for underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship and venture capital.

When not working, Francesca enjoys mentoring young professionals in the field of investor relations and emerging tech, and is an avid traveler.

Principals in Residence

Cam Immesoete

An MBA candidate at Berkeley Haas and Senior Software Engineer at Roblox, has authored pending patents and led projects in cloud computing and machine learning at companies like Splunk and Amazon, showcasing his strong technical expertise and experience in performance engineering and data management.
Kathy Hua

A Berkeley Haas MBA candidate, has a strong background in product management and data analytics. She has extensive experience at JPMorgan Chase as Vice President of Business Analysis and at Cardinal Health in various analytical roles. Her expertise includes project management, stakeholder collaboration, and advanced data analytics.
Oliver Bonallack

Oliver is an analyst at Team Ignite. He currently supports Soldera’s leadership in its €2.5M seed raise, in the ClimateTech sector. Oliver is also the founder of Collective VC, a syndicate focused on early-stage climate investments, and has been involved in multiple initiatives like Bristol Blockchain Society and Stratiphy, where he enhances community growth and strategic partnerships.
Matthew Immesoete

Matthew Immesoete is a Principal in Residence at Team Ignite Ventures, focusing on due diligence, market research, and startup evaluation. A recent graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, he has experience in data science, economics, and mechanical engineering, with internships at LBX Immersive and UC Berkeley.
Aditya Khandelwal

Aditya Khandelwal is the Principal in Residence at Team Ignite Ventures, where he conducts due diligence and sources deals for East Coast startups. He has a strong background in product development, including roles at inStorify, Halo AI, and Microsoft, focusing on AI, machine learning, and growth strategy.
Fahad Ahmed

Co-founder and head of product at Wind.app, and has a strong track record in scaling startups. He previously co-founded Pathao, leading it to a $100M valuation, and has experience in engineering and design roles at Hackhouse and Chaldal. He specializes in AI, B2B SaaS, and fintech investments.
Divine Adesida

An MBA candidate at Berkeley Haas, brings extensive experience in venture capital, business strategy, and sales, with a strong track record at Carta, SurveyMonkey, and Oracle, where she excelled in revenue growth and strategic account management.
Sreedhar Radhakrishnan

Sreedhar Radhakrishnan is a Software Engineer at Lacework, currently serving as a VC Investor in Residence at Team Ignite Ventures. He invests in applied AI, infrastructure, and software, leading investments in innovative startups such as Selfr, Arvist, and Gigmile, focusing on transformative technologies across multiple sectors.