Live webinar taking place at 09.30 PST / 12.30 EST / 17.30 GMT.
Angel investing offers alumni a unique opportunity to support Imperial’s mission and the next generation of entrepreneurs working to solve global challenges. The Imperial alumni community represents an incredibly rich source of expertise, experience, and global connections – all critical elements that help entrepreneurs and their startups survive and thrive.
Beyond capital, angel investors bring invaluable industry knowledge, strategic guidance, and access to global networks that can accelerate startup growth and impact. This creates a virtuous circle where successful alumni support the next generation of Imperial entrepreneurs, who in turn may become future supporters of the ecosystem.
This webinar brings together a panel of esteemed Imperial alumni who have invested directly or created innovative investment vehicles to channel capital into Imperial startups – from EIS funds to angel syndicates.
Whether you’re an experienced investor or curious about how to get involved, this session will provide valuable knowledge and inspiration from those who have successfully navigated the world of startup investing.
Speakers:
- Alastair Kilgour (MSc Management Science 1981)
– Alastair is the Founder of Parkwalk Advisors and winner of the Entrepreneur Alumni Award 2025. Alastair first studied biochemistry at the University of Surrey as an undergraduate, and upon completion undertook MSc Management Science (now the MBA) at Imperial. Following a successful career in city finance and later inspired by the 2007-2008 financial crisis, he went on to co-found Parkwalk Advisors, which set out to support university technology spinouts.
You can read Alastair’s Alumni Award 2025 winner profile here.
- Matt Bell (MEng Chemical Engineering 1994)
Matt’s career has taken him from a major energy company into
corporate venture capital and on to startup company leadership. After three C-suite roles at early stage ventures and one successful exit, he co-founded Strategic Piece to focus on go-to-market and growth strategies for B2B businesses. He and his wife are active angel investors and venture fund LPs, and Matt has served on the board of the Houston Angel Network. They are in the process of launching Angelumni, an online community connecting US-based alumni of international universities with startups originating from their alma maters, unlocking local expertise and lowering the barriers to angel investment. 
- Tarisai Garande (MSc Environmental Technology 2002) – is a passionate business strategist experienced in executing high-impact, enterprise-wide initiatives. She has worked at Apple for seven years and is currently within Environmental Supply Chain Innovation, driving product sustainability. Tarisai is also a FT Certified Non Executive Director, and an investor with an interest in tech start ups with scalable, disruptive potential.
- Shahryar Barati (Biomedical Engineering 2007, MSc Metals and Energy Finance 2008, MBA 2019) – Shahryar is Founder & Director of
Project Ventures, where
he is building an early stage fund to back Imperial entrepreneurs with a focus on AI-driven startups. With his dual expertise as a startup operator and VC investor he also advises startups and helps VCs source and evaluate high quality deals. Shahryar began his career in asset management at JP Morgan before transitioning to the entrepreneurial world post-MBA at Imperial. As Chief Commercial Officer at Capital Pilot startup, he led commercial and operational activities and developed an investability rating system assessing 3000+ startups.
– Alastair is the Founder of 
corporate venture capital and on to startup company leadership. After three C-suite roles at early stage ventures and one successful exit, he co-founded 
he is building an early stage fund to back Imperial entrepreneurs with a focus on AI-driven startups. With his dual expertise as a startup operator and VC investor he also advises startups and helps VCs source and evaluate high quality deals. Shahryar began his career in asset management at JP Morgan before transitioning to the entrepreneurial world post-MBA at Imperial. As Chief Commercial Officer at Capital Pilot startup, he led commercial and operational activities and developed an investability rating system assessing 3000+ startups.
Further info
This is a free, online event open to Imperial alumni, students and staff.
Registration in advance is required via Eventbrite – secure your spot now.
Please contact alumnievents@imperial.ac.uk with any questions.