Simona has been working in and with technology startups ever since she started her professional career. Dividing her time between the US and Europe, she is currently member of the board of venture builder and growth accelerator i5growth, supporting extraordinary tech companies in scaling globally. Simona holds various board roles at blitzscaling startups: blackshark.ai (backed by Microsoft’s venture fund, Point72 Ventures and advisors including the co-founder of Google Earth and former CEO of Airbus Defense & Space), enspired (backed by leading EnergyTech Venture Capital and large European utilities), and i5invest (tech investor and M&A advisor based in Silicon Valley and Europe) among others. At i5growth she is leading a team that is supporting companies in setting up strategic partnerships with big tech, global business development, growth marketing and corporate development. Prior to her current role, Simona lived in the US and was driving growth for the portfolio of investor and TV personality Marcus Lemonis. She holds a degree in Economics, supports women in tech and female founders, is a loving dog-mom and striving to do something for the first time every single day.