Neal E. Rickner

Neal Rickner is a technology executive who specializes in advancing new ventures through early-stage growth. Partnered with Octane and Sustain SoCal, Neal is the Managing Partner of Elevation Ventures. Prior to this role, Neal served as the CEO of Seafire Capital, leading a team investing in aerospace, mobility and electrification companies. Prior to Seafire, Neal spent nearly a decade at Google and Google[x] leading teams, most notably serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Makani, a next-generation wind-turbine company owned by Alphabet and Shell. As COO, Neal led Makani's...

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Neal Rickner is a technology executive who specializes in advancing new ventures through early-stage growth. Partnered with Octane and Sustain SoCal, Neal is the Managing Partner of Elevation Ventures. Prior to this role, Neal served as the CEO of Seafire Capital, leading a team investing in aerospace, mobility and electrification companies. Prior to Seafire, Neal spent nearly a decade at Google and Google[x] leading teams, most notably serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Makani, a next-generation wind-turbine company owned by Alphabet and Shell. As COO, Neal led Makani's successful $50M series A.

Prior to working in tech, Neal served 12 years on active duty in the US Marine Corps as an F/A-18 pilot and forward air controller. He completed three tours in Iraq between 2003 and 2007, earning the Bronze Star with "Valor" device, and (13) Air Medals. He transitioned from active duty in 2009, earning dual masters degrees (business and international affairs) from Columbia University.

Neal is the recipient of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business 2019 Distinguished Entrepreneurial Leadership Award. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a Tillman Scholar. He serves on the Advisory boards of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship, and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).

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