Nasir Ali
InvestorManaging Partner at StartFast Ventures
Rochester, New York
Writes $500K – $1.3M checks · typically $750K
About
Managing Partner at StartFast who has spent two decades building Upstate NY's entrepreneurial ecosystem through Upstate Venture Connect and investments in 60 companies. He launched Upstate NY's first angel fund in 2007 and co-founded the StartFast Venture Accelerator in 2011.
Experience
- UpVentures HoldingsCofounder and CEOcurrent2024 — presentLittle Falls, New York, United States
- StartFastManaging Directorcurrent2011 — presentRochester, New York, United States
- SimpleCertifiedMail.comBoard Membercurrent2025 — present
- KredosAiBoard Membercurrent2025 — present
- Upstate Venture ConnectCo-Founder and Board Chairmancurrent2010 — present
- Entrepreneurs Across Borders, Inc.Board Advisorcurrent2024 — present
- UpMobility Foundation, Inc.Board Advisorcurrent2024 — presentLittle Falls, New York, United States
- Fitz Gate VenturesAdvisorcurrent2017 — presentUnited States
- NextGen Venture PartnersPartnercurrent2017 — presentUnited States
- NYS Innovation Venture Capital FundInvestment Committee Member2014 — 2023Albany, New York Metropolitan Area
- Seed Capital Fund of CNY, LLCMember and Executive Director2007 — 2020
- SpinCar®Board Observer2014 — 2018Greater Syracuse-Auburn Area
- Paper Battery CompanyAdvisory Board Member2014 — 2018Troy, NY
- KipAdvisor2016 — 2017New York, NY
- Chequed.comDirector2010 — 2013Saratoga Springs, NY
- The Tech GardenPresident2004 — 2010
- Booz Allen HamiltonAssociate2002 — 2004
- WriterspointCoFounder and President2001 — 2002
- New Think, Inc.Founder and CEO1999 — 2001
- MGA, Inc.Sr. Associate1996 — 1999
Education
- Princeton UniversityAB, Physics1984 — 1988
- Yale School of ManagementMPPM (MBA), Finance and Operations Management1989 — 1991
Skills & more
Venture Capital98Start-ups99Entrepreneurship99Mergers & Acquisitions15Corporate Development17Business Strategy17Private Equity37Marketing Strategy11Angel Investing26New Business Development9Business Development23Executive Management5
+12 more
Non-profitsIntegrated MarketingReferralsCleantechRecruitingStrategic PartnershipsProduct DevelopmentManagement ConsultingMentoringLeadershipStrategyStrategic PlanningFrom Nasir's professional profile.
Colleagues at StartFast Ventures
Network1
Investors connected to Nasir in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Nasir Ali work?
- Nasir Ali is Managing Partner at StartFast Ventures.
- What check size does Nasir Ali write?
- Nasir Ali typically writes checks of $500K – $1.3M.
Same school
Also attended Princeton University551
Fabrice GrindaCo-founder & Managing Partner at FJ LabsAndrewAdvisor at Clear VenturesChristal NgAssociate at Golden Gate VenturesDavid CoatsManaging Director & Co-Founder at Correlation VenturesDan MoreheadFounder & CEO at Pantera CapitalHoward CoxSpecial Limited Partner at Greylock Partners
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Also attended Yale School of Management126
Sanjot MalhiPartner at NorthzoneTrip HoferVenture Partner at .406 VenturesAustin KwounAnalyst at .406 VenturesNate WangVP of Investments at Plum Alley InvestmentsGabby CazeauInvestor at Harlem Capital PartnersRobert BettigoleManaging Partner at Elm Street Ventures
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Shared employers
Also worked at SimpleCertifiedMail.com2
Also worked at Entrepreneurs Across Borders, Inc.2
Also worked at Booz Allen Hamilton144
Neeraj AgrawalGeneral Partner at Battery VenturesRohan BhargavaInvestor at 8VCLiam DonohueInvestor at .406 VenturesTrip HoferVenture Partner at .406 VenturesNekeshia WoodsManaging Partner at Parkway Venture CapitalSean EbertSenior Partner at Altira Group LLC
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Also worked at Arthur D. Little48
Katrin GeyskensExecutive Director at Capricorn Venture PartnersJosh BreinlingerVenture Partner at FJ LabsTodd FoleyManaging Director at MPM BioImpactKevin KopczynskiPartner at Congruent VenturesMatt WalshFounding Partner at Castle Island VenturesJason ScottAccelerator Operations at Blockchain Builders
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