Since joining Elevate Capital in October 2018, Ben Nahir, PhD, has played an integral role in expanding Elevate’s portfolio and advancing its mission to empower underrepresented founders. Over the past four years, he has excelled as a Venture Principal following three years as a Senior Associate.
In recognition of Ben’s outstanding leadership and notable contributions to Elevate and the entrepreneurial community, we’re thrilled to announce the promotion of Ben to Partner.
Celebrating Leadership and Impact
“Ben’s promotion to Partner is well deserved. He has played a critical role in building our funds and supporting founders with integrity, thoughtfulness, and discipline. Ben truly embodies Elevate Capital’s mission, and I’m excited to continue building the firm together as partners,” said Nitin Rai, Elevate Capital Founder and Managing Partner.
“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Ben for eight years and have consistently admired his data-driven mindset and deep startup experience. He offers thoughtful guidance while empowering others to make their own decisions. As an Investor and Operating Partner at Elevate, Ben’s breadth of experience has shaped how I support founders—with both empathy and strategic clarity,” said Allie Persitz, Elevate Capital Operating Partner.
Ben Reflects on His Journey from Neuroscientist to Venture Capital
Ben’s journey from neuroscientist to an inclusive investor has been transformative and fulfilling.
“Growing up, my mom worked as an international student advisor at the University of Oregon. I had the good fortune to meet people from all over the world. Investing, especially venture capital, has historically been a homogeneous industry with few opportunities for underrepresented founders. From a young age, I recognized the value of diverse perspectives and experiences,” said Ben.
“Discovering Elevate Capital, a venture capital firm that is committed to breaking down those barriers, was incredibly exciting. When I think of values that define Elevate, I see inclusion, support, guidance, empathy, and risk-taking. I am deeply grateful to Nitin Rai for the opportunity to learn and grow, to work with our founders and investors, to meet amazing people with fascinating ideas, and to help bring those ideas to life.”
Driving Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Oregon
Ben’s leadership has been vital in launching and managing several key investment funds, including Elevate Capital Fund II, Elevate Innovation Gap Fund I and II, and the SSBCI Venture Direct Program. His portfolio work spans multiple industries, reflecting his commitment to supporting high-impact, high-growth startups aligned with Elevate’s mission-driven values. Ben takes a data-driven approach to identifying, researching, and recommending investment opportunities.
As Partner, Ben will oversee investments across Elevate’s expanding funds, mentor founders, and help scale early-stage companies into thriving, sustainable businesses. He is well known throughout the ecosystem for his collaborative approach and commitment to serving as a mentor, advisor, and connector within Elevate’s portfolio community.
Championing Oregon’s Startup Ecosystem
Beyond his work at Elevate Capital, Ben has been a cornerstone of Oregon’s startup community for over a decade through his involvement with TiE Oregon Angels and TiE Global Angels, providing strategic guidance and capital insights to early-stage entrepreneurs. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute (OTRADI) and the Oregon Biosciences Incubator (OBI).
“Ben has been instrumental to the TiE Oregon Angels Program TiE Oregon TAP Fund, leading LP and funder recruitment as well as overall fund management for TiE Oregon’s Pitch Oregon Program,” said Kari Naone, TiE Oregon Executive Director. “Through Ben’s leadership, the program has funded over $1,325,000 for 32 companies, helping founders access critical early-stage capital and support. His commitment to building a strong, inclusive funding ecosystem has had a lasting impact on both TiE Oregon and entrepreneurs.”
Elevate Capital Portfolio Founders Reflect on Ben’s Influence
We spoke with several founders in the Elevate Capital portfolio about the impact of Ben’s leadership on their entrepreneurial journeys. Their experiences offer valuable insights into how a thoughtful and principled leader can shape the professional growth and problem-solving approaches of those around him.
Nat Parker, Founder and CEO, CleanHaus: “Ben approaches every conversation with questions before he shares his perspective. He is analytical, thoughtful, and curious anytime that I reach out with a question. Ben leads with research, rigor, and a down-to-earth, steady approach that puts any entrepreneur at ease. Ben helped me think through how to unlock a go-to-market strategy idea for CleanHaus to scale faster. He came up with an out-of-the-box concept that was simple yet powerful, and we are pursuing it today,” said Nat Parker.
David Ashton, Co-Founder and CEO, Canopii: “Ben leads with clarity and directness, and it is refreshing. He says what matters and shows his support not through praise, but through his time. His advice helped me grow faster and face problems head-on rather than overthinking them. At our first in-person meeting in Bend, Ben told me to talk to 100 customers that month. That message pushed me out of my comfort zone and into the market. It changed how I build, how I prioritize, and how I measure progress,” said David Ashton.
Ania Rodriguez, Founder and CEO, JourneyTrack: “Ben brought a level of analytical rigor that pushed us to think more deeply and more precisely. The ICP work he and Allie Persitz led was transformational; it introduced real discipline around where we could win and scale. What stood out most was Ben’s ability to dive into our market positioning, surface blind spots we hadn’t seen, and challenge our assumptions with data. That approach helped us sharpen our strategy and avoid costly missteps,” said Ania Rodriguez.
Marcelino Alvarez, Co-Founder and CEO, Photon Marine: “Ben’s leadership has had a meaningful influence on how I approach challenges and decision-making. He brings a rare combination of calm, clarity, and principled thinking to high-pressure moments, which has helped me slow down and prioritize what truly matters. His willingness to respond quickly to calls, texts, or emails, ask the right questions, and offer thoughtful advice (rather than directives) has helped us resolve a number of business decisions we faced,” said Marcelino Alvarez.
Victoria Price-Doucet, Co-Founder and CEO, StrateSea Technology: “Ben has influenced how I think about building a company, not just a product. Early on, he pushed me to articulate the commercial side of what we’re doing as clearly as the technical side. This sharpened a skill I use constantly: making complex, specialized work understandable to very different audiences. Ben’s perspective has pushed me to consistently zoom out and consider how individual opportunities fit into a broader pipeline and long-term adoption strategy, and what that means for our growth and scaling,” said Victoria Price-Doucet.
Julie Melnick, Founder and CEO, SkySquad: “From the first call I had with Ben, it was clear that he saw potential in SkySquad. That belief has given me the confidence to keep going over the past few years, through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. His strategic view of the big picture has helped me make critical decisions that have helped our company thrive and pivot along the way. I am so grateful that Elevate is part of SkySquad‘s journey, and frankly, we wouldn’t be here without them,” said Julie Melnick.
Tushar Sharma, PhD, Founder and CEO, Vivifi Medical: “Ben was the first person to place real conviction behind Vivifi Medical, and his early support truly jump-started our journey. He has an exceptional ability to recognize transformative opportunities early and lead with clarity and decisiveness. Beyond capital, Ben has been a trusted mentor who shaped how I approach fundraising, strategy, and investor thinking. His direct, high-integrity leadership pushed me to grow faster and build with confidence. Vivifi would not be where it is today without Ben,” said Tushar Sharma.
Charting New Paths for Inclusive Entrepreneurship
As Ben steps into his new role as Partner, his journey stands as an inspiration to current and future leaders in venture capital and beyond. His commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, collaborative mentorship, and the drive to create meaningful change has left an indelible mark on Elevate Capital and Oregon’s startup ecosystem.
“I feel genuinely lucky to spend my days working with people I respect and admire, building something that matters,” said Ben.
With Ben’s leadership, Elevate Capital is poised for continued growth and innovation, further empowering underrepresented founders and shaping the future of venture investing.
Pictured in group photo: Ben Nahir, Allie Persitz, and Nitin Rai
