Athena Capital, a New York–based investment platform known for supporting fast-growing tech companies nearing IPOs or major exits, has just expanded its leadership circle.
The firm welcomed two seasoned professionals, Serena Dayal and Avi Golan, as new Investment Partners.
Their expertise is set to boost Athena’s focus on sectors like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software, and healthcare.
Serena Dayal Brings a Wealth of Finance Experience
Serena Dayal steps into the role with nearly two decades of experience spanning capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and investment strategy.
Before joining Athena, she was a Partner at SoftBank’s Vision Fund, where she played a major role in backing late-stage technology companies and guiding them toward global growth.
Her track record includes working closely with management teams on scaling strategies, acquisitions, and fundraising.
Earlier in her career, she was an investor at Fortress Investment Group’s private equity arm and spent more than ten years in Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division.
A Princeton University graduate, she holds a degree in Economics.
Avi Golan’s Technology and Growth Expertise
On the other side, Avi Golan brings more than 30 years of experience leading technology-driven companies and global expansion initiatives.
Most recently, he was CEO of Sygnia, a cybersecurity company backed by Temasek, and earlier led Oosto, a SoftBank portfolio firm that was later acquired by Metropolis.ai.
His background also includes key leadership roles at Google, Intuit, Air New Zealand, and SoftBank Vision Fund, where he spearheaded growth strategies and scaled large international teams.
Extending Their Reach Beyond Athena
Both Dayal and Golan also keep busy outside of Athena Capital.
Dayal contributes as a board member of GBx, a network that connects UK entrepreneurs, investors, and executives in the Bay Area.
Golan, meanwhile, advises several private companies, helping founders refine their global strategies and drive product innovation.
What Makes Athena Capital Stand Out
Athena Capital isn’t just about capital—it’s also about guidance.
The firm prides itself on providing operational expertise alongside funding.
Its network of more than 40 operating partners includes Fortune 500 board members, current and former CEOs, SoftBank alumni, and industry regulators.
Together, they help portfolio companies navigate growth challenges and prepare for public listings or strategic exits in the U.S., Europe, and other developed markets.