Rory Berke

Rory Berke is a Principal Program Manager at Anduril Industries. His career has centered on managing complex technical operations within the defense and technology sectors. Prior to joining Anduril, Rory was the VP of Strategic Engagements and Partnerships for a defense startup. In that role, he focused on the development and delivery of counter-Unmanned Aerial System (c-UAS) solutions for the U.S. military, international partners, and domestic government agencies. His commercial technology experience includes serving as an Engineering and Operations Program Manager at Apple and Meta, where he worked on the development of mixed-reality hardware programs including Apple Vision Pro and Meta Ray-Ban Display. Rory’s professional foundation was built during his service in the U.S. Navy, where he held a variety of operational roles globally. Rory specializes in executing technical product development and cross-functional strategy.

Rory joined Oxonian Ventures as an investor in 2020 as is an LP in Fund I and Fund II. He completed an MBA, matriculating in 2018 and was a member of Keble College.

What drew you to Oxonian Ventures?

I specifically chose to pursue my MBA at Oxford over other peer institutions because of Oxford's uniquely multidisciplinary nature. I wanted an environment where I could learn how business intersects with academic rigor and innovation across many different fields. During my time there, I saw this firsthand, whether I was attending thought-provoking debates at the Oxford Union or seeing research and industry meet at the Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI) in Keble’s H.B. Allen Centre. It was a privilege to engage with the university's intellectual depth in those spaces, while also spending time at the Oxford Foundry (OXFO) to see the next generation of great companies being born in real-time.

I was drawn to Oxonian-led funds because of that same interdisciplinary diversity. Traditional funds that I've been exposed to often focus on narrow industry verticals, but the Oxford ecosystem offers a much broader sampling of industries. Rather than filtering by a specific sector, the common denominator is a shared background, which allows Funds to evaluate a diverse range of ventures on their merits and potential for impact. Being part of this collective gives me a unique vantage point to learn from and support founders who are addressing global challenges ranging from AI and fintech to biomedical advancements and beyond. The shared intellectual foundation of this community creates a level of trust and collaboration that I have not seen anywhere else.

Since joining Fund II in 2020, I have truly valued the opportunity to engage with founders during the pitch process. The diversity of ventures is remarkable, ranging from artisanal consumer goods like gin liqueur to highly technical frontier sectors like quantum computing on silicon chips, to two-sided marketplaces for books, and platforms that want to democratize wealth management. While it has been rewarding to apply my own experience in scaling operations and growing businesses to these challenges, the most rewarding part has been the sheer breadth of learning. Each session is a chance to sharpen my own thinking while seeing how different industries are being disrupted and rebuilt by fellow Oxonians.

Are there characteristics that you think give Oxonian founders and Oxonian Ventures an edge?

I believe the Oxford edge boils down to two key characteristics:

First, the absence of silos. The University ingrains in its students early on that it is not just okay, but critical, to look beyond one's primary subject area. When you are trained from the outset to venture outside your core discipline for inspiration, it becomes second nature to seek out cross-disciplinary support, feedback, and funding within a community like Oxonian Ventures.

Second, a systems thinking approach to problem-solving. A central theme of the Oxford MBA is navigating global complexity—particularly in areas like regulation, ethics, and governance. Oxonian founders tend to grasp the multi-layered complexity of the markets in which they compete. This maturity allows them to build for long-term stability and compliance from day one, giving them a distinct leg up their industries.

Professionally, Oxford taught me the immense value of intellectual diversity. Seeing Saïd Business School thrive quite literally in the shadow of centuries-old philosophy departments and cutting-edge science labs showed me that innovation happens where different fields intersect. This realization directly influenced my decision to invest; I wanted to stay connected to an ecosystem where cross-disciplinary rigor is the standard, and I wanted to help others benefit from this incredible place.

Advice for Oxonians considering becoming an LP?

Being an LP is a rare opportunity to contribute to an innovation flywheel that benefits the entire Oxford University community, and much of that success is a testament to the deliberate leadership and vision of the GPs at Oxonian Ventures. For me, the true value is having a seat at the table, besides being able to see what right looks like, is that each pitch is an opportunity to learn about new and novel businesses while reconnecting with the brilliant Oxonian minds behind them. Beyond just observing, I appreciate that my voice is heard. I get to vote on potential investments, watch the portfolios take shape, and stay engaged as these companies mature. It is a highly professional and rewarding way to stay deeply connected to Oxford’s future.

What is an important takeaway from your time at Oxford?

Without question, the most significant and cherished part of my Oxford experience was meeting my wife, Jane. (Correct answer Rory. ) There is simply no contest. While the university is world-renowned for its academics, it ended up giving me my most important life partner. We were even married last year in Convocation House (the same room where we matriculated!) with our reception in the Divinity School, where we had our matriculation dinner those many years before.