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AVP Reinforces Its Leadership Team: Warda Shaheen Joins AVP as a General Partner for the AVP Late Stage Fund in Europe, while Pedro Barros Takes on the Role of Partner in Charge of Investor Relations

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AVP Reinforces Its Leadership Team: Warda Shaheen Joins AVP as a General Partner for the AVP Late Stage Fund in Europe, while Pedro Barros Takes on the Role of Partner in Charge of Investor Relations
News

News

AVP Reinforces Its Leadership Team: Warda Shaheen Joins AVP as a General Partner for the AVP Late Stage Fund in Europe, while Pedro Barros Takes on the Role of Partner in Charge of Investor Relations

2024-05-16 13:59 Last Updated At:14:11

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2024--

In the context of the launch of its Late Stage Fund, AVP continues to strengthen its leadership team to reinforce its global platform.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240502656787/en/

First, after the recruitment of Elizabeth de Saint-Aignan in the USA, Warda's appointment in Europe completes the senior team of the new AVP Late Stage Fund.

Prior to joining AVP, Warda Shaheen held the position of Director at OMERS Growth Equity, where she conducted investments in prominent software companies such as Coveo, TouchBistro, PandaDoc, Clio, Celigo and GitLab. Previously, Warda worked in public markets at CPP Investments where she ran a $500M public markets portfolio in the thematic investing team. She also worked at Point72 Asset Management, Bain & Company and Deutsche Bank. Warda has experience working in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong and Germany. Warda holds an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of Oxford, a BESc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Western University and an HBA in Business Administration the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Second, Pedro's appointment as Partner in charge of investor relations underlines AVP's objective of managing more capital for top tier institutional investors. Pedro brings extensive experience in fundraising of technology funds, from his tenure at Target Global, where he played a key role in fundraising multiple tech funds and fostering investor relationships. He has also held senior positions at MVision and Hamilton Lane. Having started his career in the venture capital arm of FINEP, the Brazilian innovation agency, Pedro holds an MBA and a BSc in Industrial Engineering from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro.

“On behalf of the AVP team, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to Warda and Pedro as our newest Partners. I am also very proud that AVP can attract such talents, and in the case of Warda, convince top tier investor in the North American market to come to Paris. Warda will play a key role in developing our new Late Stage Fund strategy, focusing on Europe. With this new Late Stage fund, we now have the capability to support entrepreneurs throughout their journey, from the early stages to IPO, as well as post-IPO, which sets us apart in the market. Warda brings extensive knowledge and a proven track record in investing in Late Stage companies in the US and in Europe. In the context of our platform expansion and ongoing fundraising efforts across various strategies, we are very happy to benefit from Pedro’s substantial fundraising experience of technology focused fund. His background at Target Global will undoubtedly add value to the entire AVP platform. At AVP, nothing is more important than the quality, the diversity and the complementarity of the team. Since 8 years, we have welcomed 9 Partners and are now ready to further expand the team with these two talents. No doubt that they will play a key role in the next chapter of our journey," commentedFrançois Robinet, Managing Partner at AVP.

“I am thrilled to become a part of the outstanding team of investors at AVP. Since I was introduced to the firm, I recognized this platform had the vision, skills, and leadership to amplify the global landscape of technology investing with a diverse partnership that leverages expertise across the financing spectrum. AVP's Late Stage strategy in Europe addresses several challenges in the European ecosystem, including the shortage of local funding for exceptional European technology leadersto expand globally. At AVP, we look forward to bringing our collective knowledge to support such leaders at various stages in both the private and public markets,” commented Warda Shaheen,General Partner at AVP.

“I am excited to join an incredibly talented team of investor at AVP. I have been fortunate to follow the development of the platform over the years and, now as part of the team, look forward to develop their robust capital base to attract additional top tier institutional investors globally,” commentedPedro Barros, Partner at AVP.

About AVP (AXA Venture Partners)

AVP (AXA Venture Partners) is a global venture capital firm specializing in high-growth, technology- enabled companies, managing more than $2 billion in assets across four investment strategies: Venture, Growth, Late Stage, and Fund of Funds. Since its establishment in 2016, AVP has invested in more than 60 technology companies in Venture and Growth stages in the US and Europe.

With offices in New York, London, and Paris, AVP supports companies in expanding internationally and provides portfolio companies with tailored business development opportunities to further accelerate their growth. AVP operates under AXA IM- Alts, the alternative investment business unit of AXA IM.

For more information, visit axavp.com

(Photo: Business Wire)

(Photo: Business Wire)

(Photo: Business Wire)

(Photo: Business Wire)

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Juan Soto, pitchers Corbin Burnes, Walker Buehler and Max Fried and first baseman Pete Alonso were among 136 players who became free agents Thursday morning.

Third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielder Anthony Santander and shortstop Willy Adames also went free.

There were 64 more players with pending option decisions who could become free agents by Monday, the fifth day after the World Series.

Teams and players can start discussing contract terms at 5:01 p.m. EST on Monday, after the deadline for teams to make $21.05 million qualifying offers to eligible free agents.

Pitcher Justin Verlander became a free agent after he failed to pitch 140 innings this year, the amount that would have triggered his ability to exercise a $35 million conditional player option. If he had exercised the option, the New York Mets would have been obligated to give an additional $17.5 million to Houston as part of last year's trade that sent the three-time Cy Young Award winner back to the Astros.

St. Louis declined options on three right-handed pitchers, Kyle Gibson ($12 million), Lance Lynn ($10 million) and Keynan Middleton ($6 million). Each gets a $1 million buyout.

Milwaukee said a $12 million mutual option had been declined on pitcher Wade Miley, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery last May.

Among those with pending club options are Atlanta designated hitter Marcell Ozuna ($16 million), and Yankees third baseman Anthony Rizzo ($17 million) and reliever Luke Weaver ($2.5 million).

Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole can opt out of his contract but the team can void the opt out by adding a $36 million salary for 2029.

Those with player options include pitchers Blake Snell of San Francisco ($30 million, of which $15 million would be deferred), Nick Martinez of Cincinnati ($12 million), Sean Manaea of the New York Mets ($13.5 million), Jordan Montgomery of Arizona ($22.5 million), Nathan Eovaldi of Texas ($20 million) and Michael Wacha of Kansas City ($16 million), along with Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger ($27.5 million).

Snell and Flaherty are ineligible for the qualifying offers. A free agent can be made a qualifying offer only if he has been with the same team continuously since opening day and has never received a qualifying offer before.

Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 13 of 131 offers have been accepted.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler celebrates after the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler celebrates after the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

New York Yankees' Juan Soto celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the 10th inning in Game 5 of the baseball AL Championship Series Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Cleveland. The Yankees won 5-2 to advance to the World Series. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

New York Yankees' Juan Soto celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the 10th inning in Game 5 of the baseball AL Championship Series Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Cleveland. The Yankees won 5-2 to advance to the World Series. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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