BootstrapLabs

Nicolai Wadstrom is a Swedish serial entrepreneur-turned-investor whose operator-centric, highly technical AI approach ties decisions to semiconductor and data-transfer shifts while favoring novel AI software and IP over capital-intensive infrastructure.

Erik Starck is a Managing Director in the Ares AI and Innovation Group, which he joined in 2024. Before that he led the BootstrapLabs Venture Studio for Future of Work, and he co-founded Essentor AB, GlocalReach Ltd, Lean Forward AB and Startup Studio Malmö AB Venture Studio. He previously consulted for IKEA and Sony on business development and digital transformation, hosted a YouTube show about startups called Hackernytt, and holds an M.Sc. in Software Engineering from Blekinge Tekniska Högskola.

Fabio Ficano is a Managing Director in the Ares AI and Innovation Group, which he joined in 2024. He previously was a Managing Director at BootstrapLabs Venture Studio, where he led strategy and operations across its climate, energy, and future of work studios, and earlier worked as an investor at Baruch Future Ventures. His background also includes founding roles at Elettranova and LufraRise, co-founding Moncada Energy Group, and business development work as a Senior Fellow at Palantir.

Jeremy Geiger is a Studio Partner at GenLab Venture Studio who works with early-stage startups on growth strategy, go-to-market planning, and fundraising. His background includes executive roles at Datawallet, a $40M-funded enterprise data SaaS company, and at Foursquare, where he led market launch initiatives. He has advised over 100 startups across multiple industries, completed training through Stanford's DFJ/Draper Network, 500 Startups, and Founder Institute, and previously worked at Eric Schmidt's venture fund.

Sam Rawstorne is a Managing Director at BootstrapLabs (an Ares company), where he works on venture capital investing. He joined Ares in 2024 after serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence at BootstrapLabs, and previously co-founded Myia Health, where he was Chief Operating Officer building a virtual care platform. Earlier roles include Entrepreneur in Residence at BCG Digital Ventures, Head of People Operations at Humble Bundle, and People Operations at Idle Games. He holds a B.F.A. (Hons) from University of the Arts London.

Ari Valtanen is Chief Technology Officer at Sfara, where he leads development and delivery of a sensor-based situational awareness platform for mobile devices in transportation and consumer services. He holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science and Engineering Physics from Helsinki University of Technology and brings over 30 years of software industry experience in data management, sensor systems, and cloud computing. Valtanen also serves as a Global Venture Partner at BootstrapLabs, advising portfolio founders in artificial intelligence, big data, and mobility.

Luigi Congedo is co-founder and board member of DataMasters.it, an artificial intelligence academy. He has prior experience in venture capital and was recognized by Forbes as one of the top 100 Italian leaders under 30.

Mark Strehlow is co-founder and CXO at Rainfall, an AI-native systems company. He brings over 20 years of product and design leadership experience across startups and established organizations, including prior roles at Truvalue Labs (acquired by FactSet), Flip Video (acquired by Cisco), and Yahoo. His background spans multiple technology cycles from early internet and mobile to blockchain and AI, with expertise in translating emerging technologies into user-facing products.

Russ Lebovitz is CEO at Amprion Inc. His background spans technology-based product development, biotech commercialization, intellectual property, research and development, and corporate and capital structuring. He has experience in business development across the life sciences sector.

Lorenzo Donati is a Vice President at Ares Management Corporation, where he sources and evaluates early and growth-stage investment opportunities within the firm's Venture Capital Group, with a focus on applied AI. He also participates in Ares' AI & Innovation Group, working on the firm's digital transformation initiatives through the identification and implementation of AI-driven solutions.

Mark Mavroudis is a Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Ares AI & Innovation Group, and COO of the Ares Venture Capital Group (BootstrapLabs, an Ares company), where he supports the venture capital team's operations. He joined Ares in 2024 after serving as Vice President of Operations at BootstrapLabs, and previously held roles as an Engineering Manager at IBM and Siemens, a General Manager at Xerox, and executive positions at early-stage startups including Splash Technology, Artmachine, Keen Systems, WebDAM, and PITME. He holds a B.A. in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley.