Elie joined NEA in 2026 as Associate on the Technology team, where he focuses on early-stage and growth investments in Europe — primarily across AI applications, AI infrastructure, and fintech. He previously worked at TCV, where he invested in growth-stage technology companies. Prior to that, he spent two years at Silver Lake focused on large-cap technology buyouts.
What excites you about investing in Europe?
The European tech scene is thriving. World-class founders are building leading global companies, and for the first time, the talent, experience, and capital to support them are right here. NEA’s European presence shows that we're eager to back and support the most ambitious and driven founders.
What qualities should a founder look for in an investor?
Commitment. VC is a prioritisation game, and founders need investors who put them at the top of the list — during the highs and through the hard moments too. Building a company is a life's work. Investors have to earn the right to be part of that journey.
How is NEA different from other VCs?
NEA has backed category-defining companies for nearly 50 years — a testament to how the firm operates and the trust it has built with founders. What makes it different today is the combination of deep operational expertise, a network built over decades, and the patient capital to back founders with conviction.
What was your first job and how did it shape you?
I started my career at Silver Lake, working with some of the world's most established technology companies. I could see first-hand how great businesses build moats, defend them, and where they start to crack. What struck me most was how hard it was for large incumbents to keep innovating. This is what drew me towards earlier-stage investing — backing the companies that will one day force the incumbents to adapt.
What motivates you?
I want to look back in twenty years and point to things that actually mattered — companies that changed the way people live or work, founders who became role models for the next generation of entrepreneurs, and work I'm genuinely proud of.
