Gregory Dean

Investment Director

Gregory brings a wealth of experience in fundraising, M&A and strategic partnerships at high growth technology startups. As an M&A analyst, he played a key role in the meteoric growth of digital health giant Cera, establishing them as one of the largest health-tech players in Europe. And with experience raising over £300 million from Seed through to Series C across multiple scale-ups, he is poised to support our founders as they fundraise, while also driving our investment thesis for future cohorts.

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Haozhi Wang - Ethan

Design Director

Haozhi, our Design Director, led design teams for five cohorts, specializing in UX/UI for SaaS platforms. Known for his expertise and innovative approach, Ethan has designed for over 70 companies, including notable projects like the platform for Yourkeys, which was successfully acquired by Zoopla, and creating white-label platforms for Mastercard and Orange Mobile. With extensive experience providing specialized product design support for startups, Ethan is well-equipped to guide our teams in creating user-centric and visually compelling products.

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Miguel Diaz

Global program Director

Miguel Diaz is the Global Program Director at AI Forge (Miami), responsible for managing, curating, implementing, and facilitating the curriculum for AI Forge. With over 15 years of management consulting experience, including Accenture, Miguel designed and deployed a strategic, learning certification program for all Business Analysts of a global healthcare company. He also built, managed, and expanded operations globally for a British manufacturing company with $20M P&L.

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Paul Spende

Chief Technology Officer

Paul is a technical virtuoso, currently helming the technological advancements at AI Forge. Before joining AI Forge, he showcased his proficiency as a Software Engineer at PassFort, a Moody's Analytics company. At neXenio, Paul's adeptness was evident as he not only delved deep into the MERN stack but also pioneered the introduction of the react-testing-library to the codebase. His dedication to clean coding and his ability to craft robust solutions, such as a POS system integrating Stripe and iOS, set him apart. In Berlin, his tenure at TolaData as a Data Scientist saw him innovating interactive dashboard solutions with Javascript and D3 and creating pivotal data migration tools. Paul's early experiences include a role at 4flow, emphasizing test automation and Java development. Across his career, Paul has seamlessly blended data science insights with software development prowess, ensuring technological excellence in his ventures.

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Fran Okecki

CEO Latam

Francisco Okecki stands at the forefront of innovation and disruption, harnessing decades of experience in steering groundbreaking advancements within the digital, e-commerce, mobile technologies, and blockchain landscapes. His acute foresight in identifying and nurturing AI-first startups has catalyzed significant transformations across industries, making him a cornerstone of technological evolution in Latin America. At aiforge.org, Francisco's leadership as Latam CEO transcends traditional boundaries, as he empowers emerging startups with the tools and insights needed for success in an ever-evolving digital world. His approach is deeply rooted in a belief that technology should serve as a catalyst for positive change, guiding his subtle yet impactful contributions towards societal betterment through innovation.

Santiago Ramos Mejia

Director Latam

Trusted professional with a strong background in the People side of the business. Main experience with Digital and High Tech (Thomson Reuters), but also with Oil & Gas and Energy industries (Total - Central Puerto). Skilled in Leadership, Negotiation, Change Management and Strategy. Corporate experience of about 20+ years in fast growing and challenging business environments. He is Co-founder & Board member for CloudGaia, the largest Salesforce partner in Latin America. He has dedicated a significant portion of his professional career to developing highly competitive teams in complex environments fostering a consistent corporate culture that enables evolution. Santiago holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and a Master Degree MBA, from Universidad de San Andrés (UdeSA).

Santiago Caniggia Bengolea

Investment Director Latam

Santiago is a lawyer, serial entrepreneur and investor. He launched Nazca VC in 2012 with his classmates after graduating from Columbia Business School, focusing on boosting startup growth in Latin America. His strategic foresight led to a significant merger with Mountain Partners in 2016, forming Mountain Nazca, a first key player in regional venture capital. Before 2009, Santiago co-founded Plumerillo Winery in Argentina, pioneering in the organic wine industry, and partnered in founding FARO Capital to advocate for sustainable investment strategies. Additionally, he leverages his expertise by mentoring tech startups through his involvement with Columbia's ECLA program. In 2022, he joined the boards of the non-profit Draper University and Draper House Latam, aiming to build a global network of entrepreneurial talent. Currently, he's a co-founder and angel investor at Solar Latam, now Volt Solar Energy USA, promoting renewable energy across Latin America. Santiago's career balances innovation, sustainability, and strategic growth, making significant impacts in venture capital and beyond.

Agustina Paz

Program Director Latam

Agustina Paz is a Global Ambassador for Singularity University and a co-founder of NeXthumans, a consultancy firm. She has developed her career at the intersection of technology and people, specializing in 10X Skill Development. Agustina is a mentor in Singularity's Global Solutions Program (GSP) and has worked in various tech companies, including serving as the Consulting Director at PDA International and as the HR Director for Southern Cone at Novell Inc. In the public sector, she was the Director of the "Infinito por Descubrir" program under the Ministry of Education between 2017 and 2019. Currently, she also coordinates Executive Programs at the University of San Andrés. Agustina holds a degree in HR Management and has postgraduate qualifications in Future Design, Exponential Mindset, Organizational Studies, Change Management, and International Marketing. She has also Strong Experience in Public Speaking and Institutional Relations.

Facundo Badillo

Outreach Manager Latam

Facundo Badillo is, at his core, a naturally curious person passionate about bringing ideas to life. Armed with a background in industrial engineering and a postgraduate business degree, he channels this curiosity into shaping investment projects, advising on innovative business models, and cultivating high-impact teams. As the co-director of NeXthumans, a consultancy dedicated to fostering the exponential mindset in organizations, Facundo takes the lead in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of business evolution. Beyond this role, he serves as an Ambassador for Singularity University Chapter Buenos Aires, guiding entrepreneurial teams to reach that elusive extra mile. His journey is not just about business—it's a dynamic exploration of pushing boundaries and embracing the future with an unwavering commitment to progress.