Key Takeaways
- • Xora Innovation, a Temasek-backed early-stage AI and deep tech venture capital firm, appointed Eric Rosenblum as General Partner to spearhead expansion in the United States and accelerate investments across AI infrastructure, applied AI, and deep tech sectors.
- • Rosenblum brings a rare combination of operational and investment experience, having held product leadership roles at Google and Palantir, founded and scaled startups (serving as COO of Drawbridge, which was acquired by LinkedIn, and CEO of Smartpay, acquired by Ping An Group), and most recently served as Managing Partner at Foothill Ventures, where he led early-stage deep tech investments.
- • The appointment follows a period of strong portfolio momentum for Xora, including the acquisition of Celestial AI by Marvell Technology and active investments in high-velocity companies including Amperesand, Bedrock Robotics, Rhoda AI, Upscale AI, and Vinci.
- • Rosenblum's investment track record at Foothill Ventures spans semiconductors, energy systems, and industrial automation, with portfolio companies including HyperLight, Aether Fuels, Quintessent, Coreshell, and AM Batteries—demonstrating strategic alignment with Xora's investment thesis.
Summary
Xora Innovation, the Singapore-headquartered venture capital firm anchored by Temasek, announced on April 8, 2026, the appointment of Eric Rosenblum as General Partner, marking a significant leadership expansion aimed at strengthening the firm's U.S. market presence. Rosenblum, based in Silicon Valley, will drive Xora's geographic expansion while accelerating its investment activities in AI infrastructure, applied AI, and deep tech—three core focus areas for the firm.
Rosenblum's appointment reflects Xora's strategy to deepen its presence in North America's technology ecosystem. According to Phil Inagaki, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Xora, "Eric has a rare full stack background, where he's built software at top global AI and tech companies, founded and successfully exited startups, and then proved that he can hunt and win as an investor." This characterization underscores Xora's confidence in Rosenblum's ability to identify and support category-defining companies across the firm's investment mandate.
Prior to joining Xora, Rosenblum served as Managing Partner at Foothill Ventures, where he established a track record in early-stage deep tech investing. His portfolio at Foothill included notable investments in semiconductors, energy systems, and industrial automation, encompassing companies such as Amperesand, HyperLight, Aether Fuels, Quintessent, Coreshell, and AM Batteries. His operational credentials extend to senior roles at Google and Palantir, and he has successfully navigated startup scaling, including serving as COO of Drawbridge (acquired by LinkedIn) and CEO of Smartpay (acquired by Ping An Group).
The timing of Rosenblum's appointment coincides with demonstrated momentum across Xora's portfolio. The firm recently benefited from Marvell Technology's acquisition of Celestial AI, a portfolio company, while maintaining active investments in high-velocity companies including Amperesand, Bedrock Robotics, Rhoda AI, Upscale AI, and Vinci. This hiring decision positions Xora to accelerate deal sourcing and portfolio support in the U.S. market during a period of heightened capital deployment in AI and deep tech sectors.
Rosenblum's appointment reflects Xora's strategy to deepen its presence in North America's technology ecosystem. According to Phil Inagaki, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Xora, "Eric has a rare full stack background, where he's built software at top global AI and tech companies, founded and successfully exited startups, and then proved that he can hunt and win as an investor." This characterization underscores Xora's confidence in Rosenblum's ability to identify and support category-defining companies across the firm's investment mandate.
Prior to joining Xora, Rosenblum served as Managing Partner at Foothill Ventures, where he established a track record in early-stage deep tech investing. His portfolio at Foothill included notable investments in semiconductors, energy systems, and industrial automation, encompassing companies such as Amperesand, HyperLight, Aether Fuels, Quintessent, Coreshell, and AM Batteries. His operational credentials extend to senior roles at Google and Palantir, and he has successfully navigated startup scaling, including serving as COO of Drawbridge (acquired by LinkedIn) and CEO of Smartpay (acquired by Ping An Group).
The timing of Rosenblum's appointment coincides with demonstrated momentum across Xora's portfolio. The firm recently benefited from Marvell Technology's acquisition of Celestial AI, a portfolio company, while maintaining active investments in high-velocity companies including Amperesand, Bedrock Robotics, Rhoda AI, Upscale AI, and Vinci. This hiring decision positions Xora to accelerate deal sourcing and portfolio support in the U.S. market during a period of heightened capital deployment in AI and deep tech sectors.
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