Investment Team
Douglas Kirkpatrick
PartnerDouglas joined VantagePoint in 2010 from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, where he worked since 2002. There he helped deploy advanced technologies to Department of Defense applications. For six years he was VP of R&D for Fusion Lighting, a technology company developing and commercializing high brightness, high efficiency light sources. Before that Doug was with Science Applications International Corporation where he managed a division of scientists and engineers. He received his B.S. degree in Physics and Mathematics from the College of William and Mary, and his Ph.D. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Doug has authored more than 30 journal articles and 60 US and international patents.
“VantagePoint has the unique combination of breadth, depth, and vision that enables an informed view of not just what is, but what will be.”
—Douglas Kirkpatrick
Partner
Investment Team
Alan E. Salzman
Managing PartnerAlan co-founded VantagePoint Capital Partners in 1996 and serves as CEO and Chair of the Investment Committee. As a leading venture investor for over 20 years, Salzman has had hands-on involvement in more than 300 companies and has held overall management responsibilities for a dozen venture funds with over $5 billion of committed capital. As CEO of VantagePoint, he oversees the investment team, a portfolio of innovative companies, and strategic partnerships with a number of leading corporations. Salzman is a frequent contributor and speaker on energy innovation and efficiency, entrepreneurship and global competiveness. He has served as Finance Chair of the World Business Summit on Climate Change, on the BP Alternative Energy Advisory Board, and held a decade-long faculty appointment as Adjunct Professor for Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Companies at Stanford University. He currently serves on the Leadership Council of The Climate Group, the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Selection and Green Investment Committees, and the Board of Directors of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. He is a graduate (G.C., B.A., J.D., LLM) of the London School of Economics, the University of Toronto, Stanford Law School and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
“Entrepreneurs are the engine of innovation in this country. CleanTech and the technology at the heart of CleanTech will transform the current century.”
—Alan E. Salzman
Managing Partner
Investment Team
Lee Burrows
Managing DirectorLee joined VantagePoint in 2002, bringing with him 15 years of broad semiconductor technology expertise, specifically in the areas of semiconductor processing, advanced materials, power storage and management, and battery, lighting, and smart grid technologies. Previously, he founded an optical component company that was subsequently acquired by New Focus, a leading photonics solutions provider. Lee holds six patents, with two additional patents pending in optical networking and device manufacturing. He graduated with honors from the California Institute of Technology (BS, MS) and is also a candidate for a PhD in Applied Physics.
“VantagePoint's team orientation helps us make better investment decisions and is a real value-add to our portfolio companies.”
—Lee Burrows
Managing Director
Investment Team
Patricia Splinter
Chief Operating Officer & Managing DirectorPat joined VantagePoint in 2007 and serves as the Firm's Chief Operating Officer and as a Managing Director. She is responsible for executing VantagePoint’s strategy and overseeing global operations which includes managing deal flow, investment activity and mergers and acquisitions. Pat has an extensive 34-year background of success leading and growing workforces globally, managing multi-million dollar budgets, advising executives and implementing tactical initiatives at large multinational corporations and early-stage companies. For much of her career Pat was an executive at Intel Corporation, where she held a variety of senior management roles and was responsible for worldwide human resources for the Microcomputer Components and Technology Group (with more than 15,000 employees). Subsequently, she was a Senior Vice President at disc-drive manufacturer Maxtor and software provider NetManage, then one of the fastest-growing technology companies in Silicon Valley. Pat serves on the Board of Directors for the Silicon Valley Education Foundation and the California Museum, where she chairs the Governor’s California Hall of Fame.
“Commercializing technology requires a team of the best investment professionals, strategic partners and advisors. Here we have the opportunity to attract superstars to lead the industry in 21st century technology investing.”
—Patricia Splinter
Chief Operating Officer & Managing Director
Investment Team
Jonathan Quick
PrincipalJon joined VantagePoint in 2008, and works closely with Managing Partner Alan Salzman. Most recently, Jon was a Senior Vice President at JJR Capital, where he evaluated merger and acquisition candidates and prospective bridge loan opportunities. While at JJR, he was also the President and CEO of SSQ Acquisitions, a company he helped to take public. Jon began his career at Bain and Company, where he worked as a consultant on international projects for Fortune 500 clients. Jon is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario (HBA).
“VantagePoint has the capabilities and convictions to have impact on a global scale.”
—Jonathan Quick
Principal
Investment Team
Kathy Shang
AssociateKathy joined VantagePoint in 2008 from China Mobile Communications Corporation and Huawei Technologies. Previously, she was an engineer in the Huwei's Research and Development Center, then worked as Key Account Manager at China Mobile. Kathy is a graduate of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BS), Tsinghua University, and the HEC School of Management (MBA).
“My dream is to help transform the world through a collaborative team effort with creative entrepreneurs. At VantagePoint, when I help someone realize his dream, my own dream is realized.”
—Kathy Shang
Associate
Investment Team
Thomas Huot
Managing DirectorThomas joined VantagePoint in 2004 focusing on biopharmaceutical and medical device investments. He currently has a primary emphasis in the areas of biofuels and biomaterials. Prior to VantagePoint, he was an Analyst with CDP Capital Technology Ventures, where he developed new fields of investment in the areas of diabetes and metabolic diseases. Earlier in his career, Thomas served as Project Manager for Genopole®, a business incubator specializing in the development of biology on a large scale and the creation of biotechnology companies responsible for conducting technical and economic feasibility studies. Thomas graduated from the University of London. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University College London and a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from University Paris XI, Orsay.
Investment Team
Wei Cai
AssociateWei joined VantagePoint in 2008 from KTB Investments, where he focused on research, due diligence, and preparation of investment proposals. Prior to beginning his MBA program, Wei worked at Sinopec Guangzhou Company in various operational and analytical roles focused on maximizing the company’s profit and reducing expenses. He has also participated in internship programs at CITIC Securities and The HINA Group. Wei is a graduate Tsinghua University (MBA) and Lanzhou University (BS).
“It is an exceptional experience to work together with the people you truly like and respect.”
—Wei Cai
Associate
Investment Team
Rafael Simon
Venture PartnerRafael joined VantagePoint from Zenon Environmental (acquired by GE), a leading water treatment company, where he was COO, responsible for all aspects of sales, operations, R&D, and manufacturing of membrane-based water treatment technology. Prior to Zenon, he was a consultant with McKinsey & Company, focusing on the environment and energy sectors. Earlier in his career, Rafael was a researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he invented a new technique to access contaminated groundwater for environmental remediation. He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA, MEng, PhD).
“As a venture partner, my experience developing technologies to improve water quality and sustainability enables me to ensure start-up companies get the resources they need to solve the world's 21st century water challenges.”
—Rafael Simon
Venture Partner
Investment Team
Richard Harroch
Managing Director and Global Head of M&ARichard joined VantagePoint in 2003 from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, bringing with him an extensive body of transactional and business expertise. He is a successful entrepreneur, founder and Chairman of two companies: LawCommerce.com (sold to LexisNexis) and Allbusiness.com (sold to Dun and Bradstreet.) He is a noted author, having written and edited a number of legal and best-selling business books on start-up companies, partnerships, and joint ventures. Richard has been involved in negotiating or structuring more than 100 Internet related partnerships, financings, distribution deals, web content and license agreements and e-commerce contracts. Richard has also been involved in more than 250 mergers and acquisitions, corporate financings and strategic alliances. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley (BA) and the University of California, Los Angeles (JD), where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review.
“I joined VantagePoint to invest in promising Internet related businesses. We have been involved in some great companies, including Intermix/MySpace, AllBusiness.com, ReachLocal, Datran, Healthline, Zvents, Gain Capital, and more.”
—Richard Harroch
Managing Director and Global Head of M&A