SAMUEL ALEMEYHU
Partner
Mr. Samuel "Sam" Alemayehu is the co-founder and General Partner at C1 Ventures (C1V). He focuses on the incubation and commercialization of breakthrough technologies that enable the decarbonization of heavy-polluting industries. C1V is currently managing the commercialization of biomanufacturing companies consuming GHG. Sam started his entrepreneurship journey in Silicon Valley as a serial entrepreneur launching two companies while a student at Stanford University. He first got introduced to venture capital at Venrock Associates, where he focused on consumer media services. Sam has also spent significant time in Africa, founding and investing in numerous companies across the continent and in various industries. For example, he built a mobile gaming platform in 18 countries with over 50m customers before exiting the startup in 2013. In addition, Sam has partnered with leading investment banks to develop large health infrastructures in Africa. He then co-founded Cambridge Industries Ltd (CIL) to accelerate the implementation of pioneering infrastructure projects in emerging cities. As Managing Director, Sam led the development of the first municipal waste-to-energy Facility in Africa designed as a multi-purpose plant with numerous functions, including recycling, brick production, industrial steam, and modern insect farming. Sam is currently Chairman of CIL. Moreover, Sam is an active angel investor globally and sits on the board of numerous companies as an investor. He also sits on three non-profit boards: the Ron Brown Scholars Program, KID Museum, and VC Include. He is the World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and Technology Pioneer.
GEORGIE BENARDETE
Partner
Georgie Benardete is a technology investor and entrepreneur. She is the CEO of Align 17, a private digital platform that connects private capital to Global Goals investments.
Previously she is Co-Founded Orchard Mile, the digital Madison Avenue. Recognized by Interbrand as a "Breakthrough Brand 2016", it leverages on the pioneering in-ad universal cart technology created by her previous company, Shopbeam. Benardete started her career at OPIC, Coopers & Lybrand and JP Morgan. A committed environmentalist, she founded Yesilist.com, Turkey's largest green portal. She is also part of Al Gore's Climate Project as a speaker, a founding member of the Charly Alberti R21 Foundation in Latin America and a LEAD International Fellow. Benardete is an active investor in Belle Capital USA, an early-stage VC fund that promotes investments in companies with strong female leadership, and is a Founding Curator of the World Economic Forum's Glob al Shapers hub in San Juan and NYC. She is Member Emeritus of the
UN Foundation's Global Entrepreneurs Council.
Georgie earned a Master of Science of Foreign Service (with honors) from Georgetown University, where she was a Woodrow Wilson Foundation Fellow. She coursed studies in Harvard, Yale, Stanford and Carnegie Mellon. She loves to weave purpose in her life and support others who do.
DAVE HANLEY
Partner
Dave Hanley is a serial entrepreneur with successful exits to Amazon, Deloitte and Ethos. He consistently identifies innovation early and builds the envisioned future. Dave's career spans industries as diverse as microcredit banking, social media marketing, digital music and financial technology. He was founder and CEO of Tomorrow (acquired by Ethos, 2022), a financial services app that aims to bring economic security to millions by empowering everyone to set family financial goals and accomplish them on their phones – including legal wills, trusts, savings, and life insurance. Dave founded Banyan Branch (acquired by Deloitte, 2013), a leading social media marketing agency; led product development for the Rhapsody Music Service, and joined Rhapsody colleagues to build a social network for readers called Shelfari (acquired by Amazon in 2008) Dave is a Fulbright Scholar and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Dave’s next focus is iboga and psychedelics.
