LINKEDIN

John spent over ten years at Microsoft in various roles across sales, go-to-market strategy, business development, and corporate venture capital. As Head of Portfolio Development at M12, Microsoft's venture fund, Vela led a team responsible for driving strategic partnerships between M12's portfolio of startup investments and Microsoft. This included managing relationships and engagements with over 100 companies across various stages and directly contributed to over 30 investments in sectors such as AI, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and vertical SaaS. He also led initiatives related to operational reporting, thesis development, investment diligence, and platform value. His deal and board experience includes companies like SpyCloud, Evisort, Andor Health, MedMe, and Innovaccer. Vela also worked in growth and operations for an early-stage content marketing startup and co-founded The Backpacks Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides backpacks filled with school supplies to underprivileged students in New York and New Jersey.