Meet our team
Our Core Team
Managing Partners

José Vasquéz
CEO - Managing Partner
Leads Lever Venture, driving global growth and innovation by bridging technology with strategic investments.
• Former Chairman of JumpStart (Venture Capital and Venture Studio with over $200MM in AUM) and Member of the Board of the Cleveland Clinic - AGMC
• Built, scaled and managed multiple business reaching >$150m revenues and serving fortune 500 companies (e.g. Banking, Marketing, AI)
• Entrepreneur and Investor with exits across industries including Media, Nutrition, Real Estate, HR/AI Tech.
• Self made value creator and connector focused on nurturing collaborative communities, economic growth and Impact (co)investments.
• Former Chairman of JumpStart (Venture Capital and Venture Studio with over $200MM in AUM) and Member of the Board of the Cleveland Clinic - AGMC
• Built, scaled and managed multiple business reaching >$150m revenues and serving fortune 500 companies (e.g. Banking, Marketing, AI)
• Entrepreneur and Investor with exits across industries including Media, Nutrition, Real Estate, HR/AI Tech.
• Self made value creator and connector focused on nurturing collaborative communities, economic growth and Impact (co)investments.

Peleg Chevion
President - Managing Partner
Leads growth and strategy at Lever Venture, focusing on innovation, strategic development, and successful business scaling.
• 30+ Years as Operational Leader across Agro, Food, Pharma, Biotech, and Climate Tech Industries
• Managed $1B+ Product Portfolios and Secured $400M in PE Financing, Raising >$150M+ for Startups
• Global Deal Maker with $250M+ in Strategic Partnerships, Licensing, and Distribution Deals
• Company Builder and Operating Partner with Success across Americas, EU, and APAC Markets
• MBA - INSEAD , Corporate Finance and IP Attorney
• 30+ Years as Operational Leader across Agro, Food, Pharma, Biotech, and Climate Tech Industries
• Managed $1B+ Product Portfolios and Secured $400M in PE Financing, Raising >$150M+ for Startups
• Global Deal Maker with $250M+ in Strategic Partnerships, Licensing, and Distribution Deals
• Company Builder and Operating Partner with Success across Americas, EU, and APAC Markets
• MBA - INSEAD , Corporate Finance and IP Attorney

Anthony Donatelli
Chief Finance & Risk Officer
A leader in risk management and capital strategy, driving innovative banking practices at LeverVenture.
• 30+ years of Banking, Finance & Risk experience, including role as EVP, Treasurer, Office of CFO and Chief Risk Officer
• Designed and built-out Risk and Governance Frameworks, real estate, valuation, tech and general finance operations
• Managed $25B Debt/Equity Capital Markets portfolio
• Developed credit/financial modeling and analytics department for large financial institutions
• MBA – University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
• 30+ years of Banking, Finance & Risk experience, including role as EVP, Treasurer, Office of CFO and Chief Risk Officer
• Designed and built-out Risk and Governance Frameworks, real estate, valuation, tech and general finance operations
• Managed $25B Debt/Equity Capital Markets portfolio
• Developed credit/financial modeling and analytics department for large financial institutions
• MBA – University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

Karim Botros
Board Member - Chief Investment Advisor
Karim advises LeverVenture in strategic investments, driving growth and innovation.
• 15+ years of Private Equity / Venture Capital Experience (The Riverside Company, The Jordan Company and Echo Health Ventures)
• 10+ years of Hospital Executive Leadership (The Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth)
• Currently, Managing Partner at Echo Health Ventures ($2BN AUM)
• MBA – Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
• 15+ years of Private Equity / Venture Capital Experience (The Riverside Company, The Jordan Company and Echo Health Ventures)
• 10+ years of Hospital Executive Leadership (The Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth)
• Currently, Managing Partner at Echo Health Ventures ($2BN AUM)
• MBA – Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
Partners

Pierre Heurtebize
Partner, Due Diligence
• Strong background in due diligence and deal vetting from PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Track record of over 60 transactions ranging from $10m to $10bn across Europe, Australia, and the US
• Specializes in retail, SaaS, and technology spaces
Partner at Mast. - Leads strategy and finance initiatives with a focus on technology, guiding entrepreneurs and investors through vital financial decisions.
• M&A Transaction Services Director & Investment & M&A Manager at Horizen Capital - Elevates B2B SaaS companies by enhancing their valuation through strategic growth marketing and investor-ready positioning.
• Fractional Strategic CFO at Homezie & Amnesty.com - Provides strategic financial guidance, supporting investor relations and enhancing organizational decisions.
• Track record of over 60 transactions ranging from $10m to $10bn across Europe, Australia, and the US
• Specializes in retail, SaaS, and technology spaces
Partner at Mast. - Leads strategy and finance initiatives with a focus on technology, guiding entrepreneurs and investors through vital financial decisions.
• M&A Transaction Services Director & Investment & M&A Manager at Horizen Capital - Elevates B2B SaaS companies by enhancing their valuation through strategic growth marketing and investor-ready positioning.
• Fractional Strategic CFO at Homezie & Amnesty.com - Provides strategic financial guidance, supporting investor relations and enhancing organizational decisions.

Salvador Vasallo
Senior Partner-Investor Relations
• Extensive Global network of investor relationships.
• Enables identification and engagement in lucrative investment opportunities
• Strong connections with established financial institutions and investment networks
• IDG Fund, Strategic Business Consultant Assisted portfolio companies in scaling and achieving sustainable growth.
• Vassallo Unlimited, Co-Founder and Director of Product Development
• Led the development and marketing of Lassica solid surface material.
• Enables identification and engagement in lucrative investment opportunities
• Strong connections with established financial institutions and investment networks
• IDG Fund, Strategic Business Consultant Assisted portfolio companies in scaling and achieving sustainable growth.
• Vassallo Unlimited, Co-Founder and Director of Product Development
• Led the development and marketing of Lassica solid surface material.

Etienne Fourquet
Partner, M&A and Capital Markets
• 6 years at PwC in Audit and Transaction Services, 6 years in M&A advisory at Bucéphale Finance
• Experience in financial due diligence, mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising operations • Worked on deals ranging from €5m start-up fundraisings to €1bn+ large cap transactions
• Financial Advisor & Investor, Sophie's BioNutrients
• Provides financial advisory and investment strategies to support sustainable initiatives.
• Vice-President, Investment Banking (M&A), Bucéphale Finance
• Experience in financial due diligence, mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising operations • Worked on deals ranging from €5m start-up fundraisings to €1bn+ large cap transactions
• Financial Advisor & Investor, Sophie's BioNutrients
• Provides financial advisory and investment strategies to support sustainable initiatives.
• Vice-President, Investment Banking (M&A), Bucéphale Finance
Investment Process
1
Deal Sourcing
Leverage extensive network and partnerships
2
Selection Criteria
Rigorous evaluation based on market potential, team, and innovation
3
Due Diligence
Comprehensive assessment of technology, financials, and scalability
4
Value Creation
Hands-on operational support via Lever Solutions
5
Exit Strategy
Strategic sales, IPOs, or secondary market transactions
Commitment to Social Impact through Lever Foundation

Economic Empowerment
Fostering financial stability and growth in underserved communities.

Health Innovation
Advancing medical research and healthcare solutions.

Venture Ecosystem Development
Building robust support systems for entrepreneurs and startups.

GP carried interest commitment to foundation initiatives

Leveraged infrastructure for maximum impact

Strategic alignment with LP philanthropic goals
