David Rosenheim
David Rosenheim is an executive coach, leadership advisor, and former CEO working with founders and senior leaders navigating scale, complexity, and high-stakes decision-making. He is the founder of David Rosenheim Executive Coaching, where he partners with CEOs, senior executives, and leadership teams—primarily in climate/clean tech, biotech, and impact-driven technology companies.
David brings deep operating experience, having previously served as CEO of multiple venture-backed and mission-driven organizations. His work focuses on decision velocity, accountability, trust, and leading through influence in fast-moving environments. In addition to 1:1 coaching, he regularly facilitates executive offsites and advises senior teams and boards at moments of strategic inflection.
David holds an MBA from Oxford Saïd Business School and remains actively engaged in the Oxford alumni community.
What drew you to Oxonian Ventures?
The combination of community and caliber drew me to Oxonian Ventures. Oxford founders tend to bring intellectual rigor, global perspective, and a seriousness about tackling complex problems. That shared foundation creates trust, sharper dialogue, and a more engaged investor–founder dynamic than you typically see in traditional funds.
Are there characteristics that you think give Oxonian founders and Oxonian Ventures an edge?
Oxford is a global epicenter for deep tech, life sciences, and humanities-driven innovation. The talent, research, and ambition coming out of Oxford are second to none and this reputation gives Oxonian founders an advantage. With Oxonian Ventures focusing on startups derived from Oxford, we get early access to ventures spinning out of world-renowned research labs and academic departments. The Oxford network is a powerful tool for vetting founders and ideas as we can tap into a network of trusted professors, researchers, and fellow alumni for expert opinions via an "inside track" that provides a level of insight that is invaluable. This pre-vetted talent pool and reputation creates a self-reinforcing cycle of high-quality deal flow.
As an investor, which sectors do you think hold the most promise in the next few years?
Despite current political headwinds in the U.S., I remain a strong believer in the climate tech long game. Having worked in the sector since 2011, I’ve seen more progress than I would have thought possible in cost curves, technology readiness, and market adoption, which makes me optimistic about what’s achievable over the next 10–15 years. My current coaching work keeps me close to the front lines of this shift, including leaders in renewables and fusion.
Beyond climate, I’m also excited about sectors where deep science meets real-world application, including energy infrastructure, applied AI in enterprise and industrial settings, and quantum technologies. In each case, the opportunity lies not in hype cycles, but in patient execution and the ability to translate complexity into durable advantage.
What is an important takeaway from your time at Oxford?
The most important takeaway for me from my time at Oxford was the community—the friendships and global network I gained there. I recently attended my 20 year SBS class reunion and enjoyed reconnecting with friends, seen here celebrating at The Trout.
Being part of a cohort with such diverse backgrounds and perspectives fundamentally shaped how I think about leadership and opportunity. At the same time, the intellectual rigor, particularly around impact and social entrepreneurship through the Skoll Centre, deeply influenced how I evaluate ventures and think about business. Together, those experiences reinforced my decision to invest in the Funds, especially in founders tackling complex, high-impact problems.
Advice for Oxonians considering becoming an LP?
Other Oxonians should consider becoming an LP if they’re comfortable with the long game. Venture investing rewards patience, curiosity, and a willingness to stay engaged over time. What makes Oxonian Ventures special is that the experience can be as rich as you choose to make it—whether through learning alongside peers, reconnecting with the Oxford community, or actively supporting founders tackling meaningful, complex problems.