Global proptech venture capital (VC) firm Pi Labs has appointed Stefania Ponzo as partner.
Pi Labs said Stefania brings more than 14 years’ experience working with high-growth technology companies and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) and institutional investors as an investor and advisor.
At Pi Labs, her role will be focused on overseeing the VC firm’s growing portfolio, and ensuring portfolio company founders have the strategic, financial and commercial support required in order to achieve global scale.
Based in London, Stefania spent seven years at Coutts private bank advising UHNW clients globally on asset allocation and growth capital investment opportunities. She subsequently led fintech investments at Downing Ventures, a VC fund investing in UK-based Seed and Series A stage technology companies. More recently, Stefania was a Portfolio Director at generalist VC trust Pembroke VCT where she provided strategic and operational support to executive teams and acted as a Board Observer for a large portfolio including leading arts and culture tech platform, Smartify. She is an active mentor in the early-stage tech community and an Angel Investor at sustainable investment app, Clim8 Invest.
Faisal Butt, CEO and Founder of Pi Labs, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Stefania, an experienced and well-recognised technology investor, as a partner at Pi Labs. Her vast expertise in the technology sector including across fintech, health tech and B2B SaaS, will be invaluable for our startups looking to transform the built environment through technology.”
Stefania Ponzo, Partner, Pi Labs, said: “I am delighted to join such a fantastic pool of talented individuals and to partner with our incredible founders and co-investors in building global technology solutions that target critical areas such as sustainability and future of work. Pi Labs has developed a unique ecosystem in the real estate technology space. I look forward to building on these solid foundations and scaling our platform globally.”
The appointment follows Pi Labs’ recent $90 million close on its third fund which will back startups revolutionising the real estate sector with innovative technology, addressing areas including sustainability, the future of work and retail, robotics, the metaverse and smart cities.
The oversubscribed fund will invest in at least 50 startups, supporting Pi Labs’ ambition to double its portfolio to more than 100 companies by 2025.
