Benjamin Zeitoun
Investor at Starburst
New York, New York
Overview
Work Experience
Investing Partner
2022 - Current
Investing in pre-seed and seed stage deeptech startups, with a specialization in aerospace & defense
Starburst Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in investments within the aviation, space, and defense industries.
Investor
2024
Investor
2024
Investor
2023
Privateer develops data infrastructure to power sustainable growth for the new space economy.
Raised $56,500,000.00 from Lux Capital, Seraphim Space, BOKA Group, Winklevoss Capital, Starburst Accelerator, Marlinspike Capital, IronGate Capital Advisors and Aero X Ventures.
Investor
2022
Picogrid builds a unified platform for autonomous systems.
Raised $13,100,000.00 from US Department of Energy.
Investor
2022
Investor
2022
Outpost is a space company that provides earth return satellites and orbital payload missions.
Raised $7,100,000.00 from Draper Associates, AIR Capital, Moonshots Capital, Starburst Ventures, FJ Labs, KittyHawk, Starlight Ventures, Shasta Ventures and KittyHawk.
Acceleration Program Director
2019 - 2023
Built a $15m portfolio of equity participations in 101 companies from 11 countries (North America 59%, Europe 35%, Israel & Asia 6%): • Top quartile gross TVPI • $1Bn raised by top 10 startups • 9 companies reached >$100m EV, 2 companies $1Bn EV • 54 venture rounds raised in total • Tasks include deal sourcing, negotiation and closing, as well as financial reporting, company valuation, investor presentation
Acceleration Program Director
2018 - 2019
• Built the first accelerator program for aerospace and defense companies with Starburst founders, inspired by YC, 500 Startups and Techstars • Created from scratch a deal flow pipeline, coordinating the program team to scout 1500 companies per year, to contact 10% and select <1% for investment
Business Developer & Analyst
2015 - 2018
Consulting & Account management with blue-chip aerospace companies and startups
Consultant
2014 - 2014
CIO Advisory practice • Performed a worldwide IT customer support consolidation for a major CAC40 player, leading customer workshops and meetings • Participated in the creation of a consulting offer on Datacenter strategy (method to analyze a company’s need for computing, mapping the French market, and sizing the investment scale)
Information System Security Auditor
2013 - 2013
• Formulated an audit of Relay information systems according to the Group’s security policy • Issued strategic recommendations on Relay France’s IS security weaknesses to the CIO
Education
Master's Degree
2014 - 2015