Biography
Francisco is the founder of Axon Partners Group, where he serves as Chairman. Axon is a global firm focused on technology and innovation with a two-dimensional approach: investment and consulting. As of today, the company employs circa one hundred seasoned professionals dedicated to different tech related investment strategies including: growth, crossover, sustainability and fund of funds. The company is listed in de Spanish Stock Exchange [BME: APG], has offices in Madrid, Milan, Riyadh and Bogotá, and venture partners covering Israel, India and the US.
Francisco holds an MSc in Aeronautics and an MBA both from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and did his thesis in the Polytechnic of Milan. In his early days he worked in the aerospace industry, first at EADS/CASA Espacio (now part of Airbus) in the design of components for the Arianne V program, and later on joined satellite operator Hispasat, as mission manager, participating in both the Hispasat H1C and H1D satellites, in charge of the antennae and orbit control systems. At Hispasat he was also responsible of joint development consortiums funded by the EC, including an optic based interferometer for satellite control, and a satellite network showcase for remote working. In early 2000’s he joined tech strategy consulting firm Analysys in the UK, where he served until he founded Axon in late 2006. At Analysys, Francisco directed many large telecom consulting assignments in Europe as an advisor to corporates, private equity groups and regulators, including the launch of new ventures, product strategy, business and regulatory economic modelling and M&A transactions.
Within Axon, Francisco has not only created and developed the foundations of a diversified investment and consulting firm with global presence, but also participated in over seventy tech companies all across Europe, Americas, Israel and India, and in many cases being part of the board. He also supervises Axon’s commitments in circa fifty venture capital GPs worldwide, covering all technologies from software to biotech. Furthermore, many of the deals executed at Axon have been joint efforts with other top VCs, large corporations or even universities and innovation centers all around the globe. In addition, Francisco developed a lot of Axon’s investor and client network, which includes a large number of technology corporations, financial institutions and insurance companies. The combination of global exposure and broad experience has provided Francisco a unique vision of the innovation landscape and investment instruments, worldwide, from university spin offs and tech transfer to large IPO deals.
Francisco was born in Madrid where he lives with his wife and five children. He speaks fluent Spanish, English and Italian.