What check size does Nafisa Istami write?

Nafisa Istami typically writes checks of $250K – $4.5M.

Where did Nafisa Istami go to school?

Nafisa Istami studied at Rice University (Bachelor's degree, Sociology); TASIS The American School in England (High School Diploma).

Nafisa Istami

Former Senior Analyst at Mercury Fund · Former Venture Associate at Houston Angel Network

Houston, Texas

Writes $250K – $4.5M checks · typically $2M

Find your path to Nafisa

77 people in our graph can introduce you to Nafisa.

Each arrow is one introduction. Sign up to fill in the first one.

Ask Phoebe Wang to introduce you to Nafisa

You →Phoebe · together at Rice Innovation (2024–2026) →Nafisa

Ask Jamie Chen to introduce you to Nafisa

You →Jamie · 2 people · together at Envision Accelerator →Nafisa

Ask Sam Okafor to introduce you to Nafisa

You →Sam · 2 people · together at Score 3 Ventures →Nafisa

Your email: the people you already email who know Nafisa
2nd- and 3rd-degree connections: people you know who worked, studied or invested with Nafisa
Your LinkedIn: the connections who can make the intro for you

We rank every route by how warm it is, so you raise on warm intros instead of cold emails.

About

Nafisa Istami is a Senior Innovation Manager at Rice Innovation, where she oversees strategic operations related to entrepreneurship, including management of the Rice Nexus and One Small Step Grant programs. Her responsibilities span research commercialization and partnership development for the Office of Innovation. She has contributed to the Houston innovation ecosystem for six years, with experience in early-stage venture support and student entrepreneurship initiatives.

Experience

Rice InnovationSenior Innovation Managercurrent2025 — presentHouston, Texas, United States
Rice InnovationInnovation Manager2024 — 2025Houston, Texas, United States
MercurySenior Analyst2023 — 2024Houston, Texas, United States
MercuryAnalyst2021 — 2023Houston, Texas, United States
Houston Angel NetworkVenture Associate2020 — 2021Houston, Texas, United States
Envision AcceleratorInvestor Relations + Community Lead2021
Score 3 VenturesScore3 Ventures Fellow2020 — 2021
College Ventures NetworkRice University Lead2020 — 2021
Rice VenturesManaging Director2020 — 2021Houston, TX
RepublicRepublic Venture Fellow2020
Texas Children's HospitalInvestment Analyst2019 — 2020Houston, Texas
OwlSpark AcceleratorCommunity Manager2018 — 2019Houston, Texas
OwlSpark AcceleratorSummer Intern2018Houston, Texas

Skills & more

Project ManagementFinancial PerformanceWorking with Investors2Peer Mentoring2Team Building1Entrepreneurship EducationMedia Strategy2Start-up Ventures3Community Outreach1Investment ManagementDeal SourcingDeal Screening

+9 more

Community BuildingMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OfficeProblem SolvingTeamworkTeam LeadershipAttention to DetailAnalytical SkillsLeadership

Kauffmann Fellows x Techstars Venture Deals Course — Kauffman Fellows
Doerr Institute Leader Development Program — Rice University's Doerr Institute for New Leaders

From Nafisa's professional profile.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nafisa Istami?: Nafisa Istami is a Senior Innovation Manager at Rice Innovation, where she oversees strategic operations related to entrepreneurship, including management of the Rice Nexus and One Small Step Grant programs. Her responsibilities span research commercialization and partnership development for the Office of Innovation. She has contributed to the Houston innovation ecosystem for six years, with experience in early-stage venture support and student entrepreneurship initiatives.
What check size does Nafisa Istami write?: Nafisa Istami typically writes checks of $250K – $4.5M.
Where did Nafisa Istami go to school?: Nafisa Istami studied at Rice University (Bachelor's degree, Sociology); TASIS The American School in England (High School Diploma).