Dara5

Oliver Hardcastle is a founding partner at dara5, a private investment community focused on venture capital and private equity opportunities including direct investments, co-investments, and fund investments. He previously spent five years at Chrystal Capital, a London-based boutique investment bank, where he conducted deal origination and investment analysis for family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, with sector expertise in consumer, hospitality, and technology. His background also includes experience with family offices on venture capital and private equity matters, roles at Ernst & Young and the Bamford Family Estate, and he holds FCA regulation, a Certificate in Corporate Finance, and membership in the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.

Raphael Samovich is a Founding Partner at dara5 with over ten years of experience in finance, accounting, and investment management education. He previously founded and sold Mind the Step, an education company that connected students with professional tutors and academic consultants. Samovich holds a First-Class Honours degree in Finance and Accounting and a Master's degree in Investment Management.

James Heath is a Venture Partner at Longitude Capital with more than 25 years of experience in preclinical and clinical drug development, regulatory strategy, medical and commercial positioning, and corporate development. He has led R&D, Search & Evaluation, and Medical Affairs organizations, contributing to US and European commercial launches including ERWINAZE IV, DEFITELIO, GRALISE, and QUTENZA, and to FDA and EMA approvals. He has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts and several patents, and has experience serving on public company boards.