David Ordonez

David is an associate in the investment team looking at direct deals through the lens of science, technology, and R&D. He is particularly keen on artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, space, and hypersonic technologies. David is based in London, from where he also pays a closer attention to the Baltics and South European ecosystems, particularly in Spain, Greece, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Prior to joining the NIF, David was in the field of Formula 1 engineering, where he has held various operational roles – from developing and integrating new technology into wind tunnel systems to designing a race-winning car. During his longest stint at Alpine, he worked on bringing data insights to optimize the car’s performance and worked with the fastest drivers in the world to come out on top during race weekends. His curiosity for technology and other industries has led him to the startup and venture world, where he has helped startups evaluate their technology and the market, as well as scouting early-stage companies in the UK. David holds a BSc and MSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and TU Delft, as well as an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. In his free time, David enjoys travelling and outdoor sports. Although he is retired from his snowboarding competition days, he takes the chance to return to the slopes whenever he can. And when there is no snow, he chases waves on his surfboard.