The people behind the thesis
Industrial investing judgment, company-building experience from intelligent sensing through Nasdaq, and operating perspective across mobility, energy, manufacturing, robotics, and infrastructure.
Leadership
Essentia Ventures is led by two General Partners with complementary experience in industrial technology investing and company building.
Investor perspective
Co-Founder and General Partner
Industrial technology investor · Automotive · Energy · Manufacturing · Robotics
Marco has spent a decade investing where software meets the physical world, across sensing, autonomy, energy, manufacturing, and robotics. Before co-founding Essentia Ventures, he built and led industrial technology investing at HELLA Ventures. He publishes The State of Industrial AI.
View background
Founder perspective
Co-Founder and General Partner
Co-founder, AEye · Intelligent sensing · Public-company journey
Jordan co-founded AEye and helped build intelligent sensing from product definition and partnerships through the company's 2021 business combination and Nasdaq listing. At Essentia Ventures, he brings a founder's perspective to company formation, product strategy, and industrial commercialization.
View backgroundBroader team
Founder and venture experience across machine perception, automotive technology, semiconductors, and industrial commercialization.
01
Co-Founder
Co-founder and former CEO of Oculii
Steven co-founded Oculii, the AI radar company acquired by Ambarella in 2021. His experience spans machine perception, sensor software, company building, and strategic acquisition.
02
Venture Partner
Director, Blaize Holdings; former Director of Corporate Ventures, DENSO International America
Tony brings automotive venture investing and board experience across semiconductors, sensing, cybersecurity, and advanced materials. His work connects emerging technology with the operating realities of global industrial companies.
Selected advisors
A focused group of operators and technology leaders across vehicles, energy, infrastructure, and machine systems.
01
Advisor
Former Chief Technology Officer, General Motors; former President, GM Ventures
Jon spent more than four decades at General Motors, where he served as Chief Technology Officer and led GM Ventures. His experience connects product engineering, industrial research, technology commercialization, and strategic investment.
02
Advisor
Managing Partner, VectoIQ; director, Magna International and SBA Communications
Mary is Managing Partner at VectoIQ and serves on the boards of Magna International and SBA Communications. A former President of Global Connected Consumer and OnStar at General Motors, she brings operating and governance experience across connected vehicles and wireless infrastructure.
03
Advisor
Founder and Director, ZeroAvia
Val founded ZeroAvia and remains on its board after leading the company through May 2026. Earlier, he founded eMotorWerks, the intelligent EV charging and grid-integration company acquired by Enel.
04
Advisor
Co-Founder and CEO, Kinetic
Nikhil is Co-Founder and CEO of Kinetic, building AI, computer vision, and robotics infrastructure for modern vehicle repair. Previously, he led Mapper.ai through its acquisition by Velodyne and began his career at Flyby Media, which was acquired by Apple.