Eric Stotzer
Eric Stotzer is a Software Engineering Group Director at Cadence Design Systems, where he is responsible for the Neuroweave SDK and Xtensa Neural Network Compiler (XNNC). Eric worked for 30 years at Texas Instruments developing system software tools for DSPs and MCUs. Before coming to Cadence, he was at Mythic working on a neural network compiler for mixed-signal AI accelerators. He is a coauthor of the book Using OpenMP - The Next Step: Affinity, Accelerators, Tasking, and SIMD, (MIT Press 2017). Eric holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Houston.
Manish Patel
Manish Patel is the visionary founder of Nava Ventures, a pioneering venture capital firm headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley. With a career spanning dozens of years at the forefront of technological innovation, Manish is renowned as a Silicon Valley Veteran with a knack for solving complex problems at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience.
Throughout his career, Manish has worn many hats – from operational maven and inventive trailblazer to astute venture capitalist. His deep-seated expertise in global business and product development, coupled with an unwavering passion for transformative technologies, positions him as a driving force behind Nava Ventures' success.
Prior to founding Nava Ventures, Manish held pivotal roles at Google and Highland Capital. At Google, he served as an early product leader, spearheading teams responsible for the design, development, and scalability of groundbreaking products such as Google Ads, GoogleTV, and Google Maps. Later, at Highland Capital, Manish played a key role in expanding the firm's footprint in California, further cementing his reputation as a strategic visionary in the venture capital landscape. In 2021, Manish embarked on his entrepreneurial journey by establishing Nava Ventures. With a persistent focus on unique technology and experienced management teams, Nava focuses on early-stage investments across a diverse portfolio spanning AI technologies, data analytics, healthcare innovations, and financial services.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Manish's passion for knowledge sharing and mentorship is evident in his roles as an esteemed educator. For years, he has served as a dedicated instructor at the Stanford School of Engineering, nurturing the next generation of tech engineers and innovators. Additionally, his commitment to fostering entrepreneurship extends globally, as he proudly serves as a Fellow at the University of Toronto's Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) and is a Distinguished Fellow at IDEO and has more than a dozen patents.
Divya Raghavan
Divya Raghavan is a venture investor and technology enthusiast with a diverse background in product management, software engineering, and venture capital. She currently serves as a Principal of the US investment team at NGP Capital, where her primary focus revolves around software, data, and edge infrastructure. Her expertise lies in identifying and nurturing cutting-edge startups poised to revolutionize these sectors. Divya brings solid technical acumen to venture investing.
Prior to her role at NGP Capital, Divya was a leader in software engineering at Citrix and led product management teams at SugarCRM. In her journey towards venture investing, Divya gained invaluable experience at VC firms, including Costanoa Ventures and Samsung NEXT Ventures, where she further deepened her understanding of the startup ecosystem.
Within NGP Capital, Divya has led investments in notable companies such as Coda, Immuta, ArmorCode and Nova Labs. Her keen eye for innovation and a strong track record of successful investments have made her a trusted voice in the venture capital landscape. Beyond her professional endeavors, Divya is also an avid angel investor, continuously contributing to early product ideation and GTM, always ready to wear her product hat.
Divya received an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Florida, Gainesville.