Alexander Galitsky

Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Almaz Capital · Joined 2008

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Biography

Alexander Galitsky built his early career as a defense scientist in the Soviet space industry before founding ELVIS+ in 1991 to commercialize Soviet-era technology in the West, partnering with Sun Microsystems co-founder Bill Joy on early Wi-Fi hardware development that beat out competitors including Motorola. He went on to found four more technology companies before turning to venture capital, founding Almaz Capital in 2008 with backing from Cisco, EBRD, and IFC to bridge Silicon Valley and Central/Eastern European technology ecosystems. That bridge-building has produced real outcomes including Yandex's NASDAQ IPO, Xometry's NASDAQ IPO, QIK's acquisition by Skype, Sensity Systems' acquisition by Verizon, and Acumatica's sale to EQT, across more than $300 million invested through three funds. Galitsky's own path from Soviet scientist to Silicon Valley investor became the basis for the 2014 film 'Startup,' and he continues to serve as an advisor to the B612 Foundation, focused on planetary defense from asteroid impacts.

Education

Previous Experience

Notable Investments

YandexXometry XMTRAcumatica

Career Timeline

1990
Sun Microsystems co-founder Bill Joy visits the USSR looking for technical talent, beginning a partnership that leads Galitsky's team to beat Motorola on early Wi-Fi hardware development.
1991
Founds ELVIS+ to commercialize Soviet-era technology in the West.
2004
Helps establish CSVC, the first onshore limited partnership venture fund in China.
2008
Founds Almaz Capital, backed by Cisco, EBRD, and IFC.
2014
His life story becomes the basis for the film 'Startup.'

Sources & References

Wikipedia - Alexander Galitsky ↗Almaz Capital ↗