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10 M12 investors
These ten current and former M12 investors have held investing roles at the fund. A reader can learn how investors at M12 approach their work from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Alessandro Levi
LinkedInExperience: Investment Partner · M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Investment Partner at M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund since 2026, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, a partner-level role. Alessandro Levi was earlier an Investment Partner at Longview Innovation (2022–2025), and is Chairman of the Board at Kynetics and an Advisor to BRELYON, as well as a StartX alumnus and judge.
Brian Zhao
LinkedInExperience: Investor · M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Investor at M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund since 2022, based in San Francisco. Before the fund, Brian Zhao was a Financial Analyst at Microsoft (2020–2022) after Financial Analyst Intern roles there (2018 and 2019), and an Associate at Alpha Bridge Ventures (2019–2021).
Cheryl Cheng
LinkedInExperience: Managing Partner · M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Managing Partner at M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund since 2025, based in Menlo Park. Cheryl Cheng was a General Partner at BlueRun Ventures (2008–2021), then Founder and CEO of Vive Collective (2021–2025), and has been Co-Founder of Ren Capital since 2024 and an Advisor to the Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign since 2020.
James Wu
LinkedInExperience: Partner · M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Partner at M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund since 2022, alongside a Principal role there listed since 2019, after serving as an Investor at the fund (2018–2019). The profile says James Wu sourced and led M12's investment in Arkose Labs, and the listing shows Board Director & Investor at Edera and Board Observer & Investor at Conduktor.
Matthew Goldstein
LinkedInExperience: Managing Director · M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Former Managing Director at M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund (2016–2023), alongside a General Manager, Cofounder of M12 role at Microsoft over the same period. During that time Matthew Goldstein was a Non Executive Director at Memgraph and on the Board of Directors at HYAS. The current role is General Partner at TLA.vc (since 2025), based in London.
Michael Stewart
LinkedInExperience: Managing Partner · M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Managing Partner at M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund since 2024, after serving as a Partner there (2021–2024); the headline reads "Managing Partner at M12 | AI, gaming, semiconductors, deep tech VC." The listing for Michael Stewart shows Board Observer roles at Armada and Neurophos and a Director role at d-Matrix.
Mony Hassid
LinkedInExperience: Co-founder and General Partner, EMEA Lead I M12, Microsoft ‘s ventures fund · Microsoft
Former Co-founder and General Partner, EMEA Lead of M12 at Microsoft (2016–2023). The profile says Mony Hassid co-founded M12 in 2016, opening the Tel Aviv office and establishing the UK and Germany offices. Earlier roles were Managing Director, Israel Lead at Qualcomm Ventures (2012–2016) and Managing Director Israel & Europe Lead at Motorola Ventures (2003–2012).
Peter Lenke, CFA
LinkedInExperience: Managing Partner · M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Managing Partner at M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund since 2025, based in San Francisco; the profile says Peter Lenke "leads investments in horizontal and vertical AI applications, developer tools, and opportunities across the enterprise." Earlier roles were Head of Atlassian Ventures (2023–2025) and Director, Corporate Development & Strategy at Twitter (2016–2023).
Ronan Kennedy
LinkedInExperience: Sr Principal, Growth Equity & Private Equity · M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Former Sr Principal, Growth Equity & Private Equity at M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund (2018–2020); the profile describes origination and execution of global growth equity and buyout investments and partnerships. Ronan Kennedy is now Managing Director, Growth Equity & Corp Dev at B Capital, and was earlier a Vice President at Goldman Sachs and a Captain in the 101st Airborne Division.
Shun Hagiwara
LinkedInExperience: Investor · M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund
Investor at M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund since 2025, based in San Francisco; the profile describes the role as "Early-stage investing in AI startups." Shun Hagiwara was earlier an Investor at Emergence Capital (2023–2025), an Associate / Deal Team Lead at Fractal Software (2022–2023) and an Associate Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting (2021–2022).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's seniority and region to your question, since a managing partner, a co-founder who led a regional office and an investor earlier in their career see different parts of the work. Check whether the role is current or former and how long the person spent at the fund.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How does a corporate venture investor source, evaluate and win a deal?
- 02How do managing partners, partners and investors divide work on a corporate venture team?
- 03What does a corporate venture investor do for a company after the investment closes?
Reaching M12 investors
How can I contact one of these M12 investors?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 2 companies: M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund and Microsoft, based on profile data retrieved on October 10, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach M12 investors?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these M12 investors a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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