About
Shani Zanescu is founder and general partner of Universe Partners, a deep tech investment firm focused on resilience-oriented technologies. With a background spanning a decade in foreign policy and national security followed by deep tech investing across $400M in managed assets, Zanescu invests in early-stage founders and companies developing base-layer technologies for infrastructure and economic systems. Zanescu serves as a board member and advisor to technology companies and institutions, and speaks on topics including deep tech financing, resilience-first technology, and innovation under pressure.
Experience
- Atmospheric AIInvestorcurrent2026 β present
- Universe PartnersFounder & General Partnercurrent2024 β present
- Jibe VenturesVenture Partnercurrent2022 β present
- Alphabiome.aiAdvisorcurrent2023 β present
- Consensus Business GroupDeep tech Investment Partner2019 β 2024
- PhytolonBoard Observer2020 β 2024
- AgroScoutBoard Member2020 β 2024
- Isratech VenturesFounder & CEO2018 β 2024Tel Aviv District, Israel
- AquiNovo, Ltd.Board Observer2021 β 2023
- The Center for Israel's InnovationDirector2017 β 2018Tel Aviv District, Israel
- British CouncilHead of Strategy & Bilateral Relations2014 β 2017Israel
- Israeli Ministry of DefenseBENELUX, NATO & EU Representative2012 β 2013The Embassy of Israel in the Netherlands (The Hague)
- Israel Defense ForcesForeign Affairs Officer2010 β 2012
Skills & more
English32International Relations52Event Planning25Translation10Interpersonal Communication Abilities9Budgets10Delegation9Military9NATO7Defence6Foreign Policy15Government36
+12 more
DiplomacyNational SecurityDefenseProject ManagementPublic RelationsSocial MediaPublic SpeakingResearchLeadershipNonprofitsNonprofit OrganizationsStart-upsLanguages English Β· Hebrew
From Shani's professional profile.
Colleagues at Fusion VC
Alex Shandrovsky
Director of Sales Development at Fusion VC
Amit Shechter
Principal at Fusion VC
Andrew Brown
CFO at Fusion VC
Daniel Shinar
CEO at Claltech
Dr. Eldad Rom
Partner, Group Psychologist at Team8
Guy Katsovich
Founding Partner at Fusion VC
Hagi Schwartz
LP Advisory Board at Fusion VC
Hemi Zucker
Managing Partner at OCV Partners
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Shani Zanescu?
- Shani Zanescu is founder and general partner of Universe Partners, a deep tech investment firm focused on resilience-oriented technologies. With a background spanning a decade in foreign policy and national security followed by deep tech investing across $400M in managed assets, Zanescu invests in early-stage founders and companies developing base-layer technologies for infrastructure and economic systems. Zanescu serves as a board member and advisor to technology companies and institutions, and speaks on topics including deep tech financing, resilience-first technology, and innovation under pressure.
- Where does Shani Zanescu work?
- Shani Zanescu is Advisor/LP, Climate tech at Fusion VC.
- Where did Shani Zanescu go to school?
- Shani Zanescu studied at Texas Christian University (Bachelor of Science (BS), Communication and Business); Tel Aviv University (Master's Degree, The Executive Programme for Diplomacy and National Security); Harvard Business School (Finance).
Same school
Also attended Texas Christian University39
Mason NystromInvestor at Pantera CapitalMarina BeveridgeDirector, Strategy & Network Development at Sapphire VenturesJack RobersonInvestor at 8VCMarshall PorterGeneral Partner at AlleyCorpLindel EakmanGeneral Partner at FoundryCaroline PinkneyInvestor at E12 Venture Capital, Llc
+ 33 more
Also attended Tel Aviv University412
Matan RoetAssociate at Redpoint VenturesArnon DinurPartner at 83NorthYoram SnirPartner at 83NorthRaz MaysharSenior Manager at Qualcomm VenturesDavid GoldschmidtManaging Director, Head of the Fund at Samsung Catalyst FundAmit ShofarSr. Investment Director at Samsung Catalyst Fund
+ 406 more
Also attended Harvard Business School2,000
Brad GerstnerFounder & CEO of Altimeter CapitalAileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesTim DraperFounder of Draper AssociatesMamoon HamidPartner at Kleiner PerkinsNeeraj AgrawalGeneral Partner at Battery VenturesHristo BorisovCo-founder & CEO of Payhawk
+ 1,994 more
Shared employers
Also worked at British Council13
Peter CameronVenture Partner at Giant LeapBhawna SoniSenior Analyst, Investor Relations at Kae CapitalMaha AdelExecutive Assistant at RAED VenturesHuan NguyenOrigination - Private Equity at Rocket CapitalNitya AgarwalVice President at 3one4 CapitalNeha SharmaVP, HR at Kalaari Capital
+ 7 more
Also worked at Israeli Ministry of Defense14
Sapir HaroshPartner at Third Point VenturesTomer BerkovitzManaging Partner at aMoonOfir FoggelInvestment Professional at Key1 CapitalRan LevitzkyGeneral Partner at Magenta Venture PartnersMerav Ben AviVP Marketing at YL VenturesElizabeth AtashInvestor at Glilot Capital Partners
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