MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 14 -- New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (NEA), a leading global venture capital firm, today announced that Ravi Viswanathan, PhD, has been promoted to General Partner. Dr. Viswanathan, who joined the firm in 2004, is focused on energy and growth equity information technology investments, as well as the firm’s activities in India. The firm also promoted Frank Torti, MD, to Principal. Dr. Torti joined NEA in 2007 and is focused on both private and public investing activities within the firm’s healthcare practice.
“These promotions continue a long trend of recognizing individuals within NEA who prove themselves to be great investors and great partners,” said Peter J. Barris, Managing General Partner of NEA. “We are pleased to recognize the contributions of both Ravi and Frank, demonstrating that during a time of extreme challenge for our industry NEA continues to strengthen and build upon its core strengths.”
Dr. Viswanathan’s current board memberships include Availink, Deeya Energy, ISGN Technologies, Jentro Technologies, Solar Junction, Suniva, and ViXS. He also works closely with GlobalLogic, OANDA, and other companies within NEA’s energy technology portfolio. Prior investments include Tele Atlas.
“Ravi has demonstrated tremendous leadership within NEA’s energy and information technology growth equity practices, playing an integral role in several highly successful exits and leading investments in some of the key value drivers in the firm’s portfolio,” said Mr. Barris. “His depth of expertise across several sectors adds considerable strength both at the portfolio level and with respect to NEA’s overall investing strategy.”
Before joining NEA, Dr. Viswanathan worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. where he was co-head of their private equity group’s technology practice and led direct, fund, and secondary investments in the areas of information technology and life sciences. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he worked for McKinsey & Company and advised clients in the software, communications, and pharmaceutical sectors on strategy, acquisitions, and new business building. Previously, Dr. Viswanathan worked for Raychem Corporation in the Corporate Technology Division where he focused on research and product development in semiconductors, liquid crystals, and other materials systems. He received a master's degree in business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he focused his research on materials science applications in molecular electronics, biomaterials, and nanotechnology. Prior to graduate school, Dr. Viswanathan received a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Torti previously worked for the Duke University Center for Clinical & Genetic Economics, where he was involved in economic evaluations of multinational clinical trials. His experience also includes public market investing at the Wasatch Advisors mutual fund family and business development work with the consumer-directed healthcare startup Revolution Health Group. Frank received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School, and his bachelor’s degree with highest honors from the University of North Carolina, where he was a Morehead Scholar.
About NEA
New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (NEA) is a leading venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs create and build major new enterprises that use technology to improve the way we live, work and play. Since its founding in 1978, the firm has followed the same core principles: supporting its entrepreneurs, providing an excellent return to its limited partners, and practicing its profession with the highest standards and respect. Through its affiliated funds, NEA focuses on investments at all stages of a company’s development, from seed stage through IPO. With approximately $8.5 billion in committed capital, NEA’s experienced management team has invested in over 650 companies, of which more than 160 have gone public and more than 255 have been acquired. NEA has U.S. offices in Chevy Chase, Maryland; Menlo Park, California; and Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, New Enterprise Associates (India) Pvt. Ltd. has offices in Bangalore and Mumbai, India and New Enterprise Associates (Beijing), Ltd. has offices in Beijing and Shanghai, China. For additional information, visit www.nea.com.
SOURCE New Enterprise Associates, Inc.
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“These promotions continue a long trend of recognizing individuals within NEA who prove themselves to be great investors and great partners,” said Peter J. Barris, Managing General Partner of NEA. “We are pleased to recognize the contributions of both Ravi and Frank, demonstrating that during a time of extreme challenge for our industry NEA continues to strengthen and build upon its core strengths.”
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Dr. Viswanathan’s current board memberships include Availink, Deeya Energy, ISGN Technologies, Jentro Technologies, Solar Junction, Suniva, and ViXS. He also works closely with GlobalLogic, OANDA, and other companies within NEA’s energy technology portfolio. Prior investments include Tele Atlas.
“Ravi has demonstrated tremendous leadership within NEA’s energy and information technology growth equity practices, playing an integral role in several highly successful exits and leading investments in some of the key value drivers in the firm’s portfolio,” said Mr. Barris. “His depth of expertise across several sectors adds considerable strength both at the portfolio level and with respect to NEA’s overall investing strategy.”
Before joining NEA, Dr. Viswanathan worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. where he was co-head of their private equity group’s technology practice and led direct, fund, and secondary investments in the areas of information technology and life sciences. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he worked for McKinsey & Company and advised clients in the software, communications, and pharmaceutical sectors on strategy, acquisitions, and new business building. Previously, Dr. Viswanathan worked for Raychem Corporation in the Corporate Technology Division where he focused on research and product development in semiconductors, liquid crystals, and other materials systems. He received a master's degree in business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he focused his research on materials science applications in molecular electronics, biomaterials, and nanotechnology. Prior to graduate school, Dr. Viswanathan received a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Torti previously worked for the Duke University Center for Clinical & Genetic Economics, where he was involved in economic evaluations of multinational clinical trials. His experience also includes public market investing at the Wasatch Advisors mutual fund family and business development work with the consumer-directed healthcare startup Revolution Health Group. Frank received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School, and his bachelor’s degree with highest honors from the University of North Carolina, where he was a Morehead Scholar.
About NEA
New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (NEA) is a leading venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs create and build major new enterprises that use technology to improve the way we live, work and play. Since its founding in 1978, the firm has followed the same core principles: supporting its entrepreneurs, providing an excellent return to its limited partners, and practicing its profession with the highest standards and respect. Through its affiliated funds, NEA focuses on investments at all stages of a company’s development, from seed stage through IPO. With approximately $8.5 billion in committed capital, NEA’s experienced management team has invested in over 650 companies, of which more than 160 have gone public and more than 255 have been acquired. NEA has U.S. offices in Chevy Chase, Maryland; Menlo Park, California; and Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, New Enterprise Associates (India) Pvt. Ltd. has offices in Bangalore and Mumbai, India and New Enterprise Associates (Beijing), Ltd. has offices in Beijing and Shanghai, China. For additional information, visit www.nea.com.
SOURCE New Enterprise Associates, Inc.
