We are a team of secondary investors, entrepreneurs, operators, limited partners, and one highly skilled lawyer who makes it all happen.
Ben Black
Co-founder & Managing Director
Co-founded Akkadian in 2010
20+ years of VC/PE experience
Co-founded Raise Global Summit in 2016
Co-founder of New Cycle Capital
Associate at Maveron and Rosewood Capital
Co-founder of Harris Interactive (IPO)
BA and JD from Cornell University
Mike Dinsdale
Managing Director
Joined Akkadian in 2021
20+ years as CFO, securing $2B+ in financing, creating $100B+ in value, and creating 3 brands with instant recognition: DocuSign, DoorDash, and Gusto
Angel investor in 50+ tech companies
Currently a board member for various software companies and WildAid
BS from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from McMaster University
CFA Charterholder
Peter Smith
CO-FOUNDER & CCO
Co-founded Akkadian in 2010
20+ years of legal experience
Associate at Cooley, Morrison & Foerster, and Bryan Cave
Real estate investor and developer
BA (Cum Laude) from Cornell University and JD from UC Berkeley
Inactive member of the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Colorado
Angela Stanely
Partner & COO
Joined Akkadian in 2024 after supporting the firm with two prior fundraises in 2016 and 2019
20+ years of IR & fundraising experience
Head of IR & Fundraising at Delta-v Capital
Co-founder and Managing Director of Harpeth Fund Advisors
Vice President and Head of the San Francisco office at BerchWood Partners
BS in International Finance from University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Craig Nolan
Partner
Joined Akkadian in 2013
Over 15 years of experience working with VC-backed companies
Director at Arcstone Partners
BS and MBA from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver
CFA Charterholder
Daniel Kennedy
Partner
Joined Akkadian in 2021
15 years of experience in technology finance
Head of Corporate Development at Gusto
Strategic Finance and Business Operations at Otto and Jawbone
Technology Investment Banking at Credit Suisse
BS and MA from University of Southern California
Adam Marchick
Partner
Joined Akkadian in 2024 to lead the firm’s seed-stage strategy
20 years of experience building and investing in venture-backed businesses
Portfolio Manager for Emory University’s $2B investment in venture capital
Venture investor at Bain Capital Ventures and Menlo Ventures
Founder and CEO of a Sequoia-backed company
Founded and sold an AI company
BS in Computer Science and MBA from Stanford University
Gloria Gennaro
Sr. Associate, Investor Relations
Joined Akkadian in 2020
6 years of VC experience
Investment Associate at Hamilton Miller
Business Development for National Geographic's Time Square Exhibit
Led SpeedETab's (acquired by Wix) expansion from Miami to NYC by launching in 30+ locations
BS (Cum Laude) from Florida International University College of Business
CFA Level III Candidate
Scott Dubin
VP, RAISE
Joined Akkadian in 2024
10+ years of experience in senior-level investor relations roles across private and public markets
Partner at Learn Capital
Managing Director at ff Venture Capital
Director at OurCrowd
BA from New York University
