Athena Capital, a global investment platform focused on tech-enabled companies nearing IPO or strategic exits, has strengthened its team by appointing Serena Dayal and Avi Golan as Investment Partners to drive investments in cybersecurity, AI, software, and healthcare.
Serena Dayal and Avi Golan join Athena Capital as Investment Partners.
Focus on sourcing tech investments in cybersecurity, AI, software, and healthcare.
Dayal brings 20 years of experience from SoftBank Vision Fund and Goldman Sachs.
Golan offers 30 years of tech expertise, including leadership at Sygnia and Oosto.
Athena Capital supports late-stage tech firms nearing IPO or strategic exits.
The firm combines capital with operational expertise from over 40 partners.
Athena Capital has bolstered its investment capabilities with the addition of Serena Dayal and Avi Golan as Investment Partners. Both bring extensive experience in technology investments and operational leadership, focusing on high-growth sectors such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software, and healthcare. Their roles will involve sourcing and supporting tech-enabled companies preparing for IPOs or strategic exits across the U.S. and developed markets.
Serena Dayal joins Athena Capital with nearly two decades of experience in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and investing. Previously a Partner at SoftBank Vision Fund, she led late-stage investments in high-growth technology companies and served on portfolio company boards, guiding management teams on go-to-market strategies, acquisitions, and fundraising. “This is a unique inflection moment in the market, given the large number of high-quality, late-stage, private technology companies seeking to access the public markets,” said Dayal. Her earlier roles include investing at Fortress Investment Group and over a decade in Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division. She holds a BA in Economics from Princeton University.
Avi Golan brings over 30 years of technology sector experience, having led global businesses at critical growth stages. As former CEO of Sygnia, a Temasek portfolio company, and Oosto, a SoftBank portfolio company, Golan successfully guided Oosto to an exit with Metropolis. His prior roles at SoftBank Vision Fund, Google, Intuit, and Air New Zealand focused on driving technology-driven growth strategies. “Athena Capital’s mission of partnering with late-stage technology companies at pivotal moments aligns with my drive to help founders scale and prepare for major liquidity events,” said Golan. He also serves on the boards of multiple private companies, advising on go-to-market strategies and product innovation.
“Serena and Avi bring the rare combination of investment judgment and operating insight that defines Athena Capital’s edge,” said Isabelle Freidheim, Founder and Managing Partner of Athena Capital. Their addition enhances the firm’s ability to identify exceptional investment opportunities and support founders in scaling their businesses for category-defining exits. With over 40 operating partners, including Fortune 500 board members and former CEOs, Athena Capital combines capital with deep operational expertise to drive value for investors and portfolio companies.
The appointments of Dayal and Golan position Athena Capital to capitalize on the growing demand for late-stage tech investments, particularly in high-growth sectors poised for significant market impact.
Athena Capital is a global investment platform that backs tech-enabled companies on the verge of an IPO or strategic exit across the U.S., Europe, and developed markets. The returns-driven fund brings over 40 operating partners that include Fortune 500 board members, current and former CEOs, SoftBank alumni, regulators and public company founders and leaders, who provide both capital and operational support.
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