VC firm Aster Capital has hired Jérome Joaug (pictured) as a principal on its investment team to focus on the mobility, energy and industry sectors.
Joaug, a serial entrepreneur who co-founded graphene producer Cambridge Nanosystems, a spinout from University of Cambridge, and internet of things platform Nymbly. He is a graduate of both Cambridge and École Polytechnique, and has been active as an angel investor.
Aster Capital emerged out of Schneider Electric Ventures, the corporate venturing arm of industrial group Schneider Electric, becoming independent in 2010 and attracting equipment provider Alstom and chemicals company Solvay as limited partners.
The firm most recently closed a $282m fund in November 2017, with plastics manufacturer Plastic Omnium joining as an investor. The firm has almost $590m under management.
Joaug said: “I am delighted to join a leading venture capital management company whose areas of expertise and international dimension are fully in line with my background and aspirations. My experience as an entrepreneur will give me an edge in furthering Aster’s development.”
Jean-Marc Bally, managing partner at Aster, said: “I am thrilled to welcome a serial entrepreneur to the team.
“Jérome will enhance our expertise in the areas of artificial intelligence, blockchain, the internet of things and deep tech and will drive Aster’s development in the UK. In hiring him, we are also sending a clear signal to startups: who better to understand their needs than an entrepreneur?”
– Image courtesy of Aster Capital