About me

I’m the founder of a groundbreaking new AI chip startup, currently in stealth. Watch this space.
Before my new venture, I led the Prototyping Unit at the Advanced Research + Invention Agency – working with some of the world’s most exceptional researchers to turn their sci-fi research ideas into reality.
Overview:
- Experienced leading cross-functional product teams across the full product lifecycle – unique expertise on how to recognize and scale innovation.
- Deep research sector expertise. Past collaborators and customers include top universities, government agencies, big tech, pharma, deep tech startups, venture capitalists and more.
- 10 years’ experience working with Boards and CEOs at startups and multi-billion dollar enterprises.
Reach out to me via LinkedIn if you’d like to talk about AI x compute, product, science & research policy – or bold new ways of thinking.
I love…
Improv comedy, travelling, house plants and tech news.
Below:
Previous roles
Product Lead, Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)
ARIA is a new UK R&D Funding Agency, with an initial commitment of $1bn, built to unlock world-changing scientific and technological breakthroughs.
Head of Product, LabDAO
Start-up building tooling to empower talented early-career inventors to do world-class research online. There are no traditional academic gatekeepers, and all you need is a laptop.
Head of Product, Molecule
Start-up building a web3 ecosystem for biopharma research & IP, incl. novel funding mechanisms
Head of Data Platform, Digital Science
B2B scale-up and incubator in the research & innovation sector (universities, governments, industry)
Senior Strategy Analyst, Holtzbrinck
Strategic investor with $4bn revenue in scientific publishing, media, and technology (Springer Nature, Macmillan, Die Zeit, Founders Factory, Digital Science).
Analyst, Egremont International
Strategic consultancy (clients incl. McDonalds, Prezzo, Bathstore).
3 roles across market research & digital strategy, Oxford University Press
Academic & education publisher; the world’s largest university press with $1bn+ revenue
Education
BA Classics, University of Oxford
Masters’ Psychology, University of Cambridge
Always learning. I’ve just learned how to build an 8-bit computer from scratch. I’m learning Rust. I’ve recently taken courses in writing, community building, and business development (plus others in Python, SQL, and product management).
Testimonials
Generously given by ex-colleagues, available to view on LinkedIn
“Isabel has a deep and nuanced understanding of technology that she can apply to business problems with a level of clarity and concision that never fails to astound me.
“[Her] combination of technical understanding, analytical problem solving and strategic communication is a fearsome mix of capabilities, skilfully directed by one of the most pleasant, cheerful and enchanting people you could meet.
“She is the total package.”
– Danu Poyner, founder of Grokkist
“Isabel is one of the people I have learned the most from, and she is an absolute pleasure to work with.
“Her exceptional clarity and strategic mindset enable tasks to be done creatively, quickly and efficiently, always thinking of customer needs first.
“She is the best Product Manager I’ve worked with.”
– Cristina Huidiu, Data & Research Intelligence, Elsevier
“I worked with Isabel extensively while COO at Digital Science, and consider her a rare talent. At the time, she was Senior Strategy Analyst at our parent company, before she came into into Digital Science to lead the development of one of our flagship, innovative products.
“Isabel combines extraordinarily detailed knowledge and understanding with the ability to step back and place what she sees in a wider context; she is a brilliant strategic thinker.
“She will undoubtedly change the world.”
– Jon Treadway, Consultant, ex-COO Digital Science