LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Battery Ventures, a global technology-focused investment firm, has promoted software investor Zak Ewen to the role of partner. Ewen is based in London and will continue to help drive the firm’s European software investment efforts.
In its 40th year in business, Battery is currently investing its 14th fund family: Battery XIV and companion fund, together with $3.3 billion in capital, and the $530 million Battery Ventures Select Fund II, all of which closed last year.
Ewen, who originally joined the firm in 2010, is focused on private equity and growth equity investments in software, information services and business technology in the US and Europe. It is currently included in the portfolio of Battery Craftview, Easy Software, VertiGIS, Vita Mojo and Forterro, along with European software companies Vimcar and Avrios, in which Battery agreed to invest last week. Zak was previously involved in Battery’s investment in low-code software company Mendix, which was acquired by Siemens in 2018.
Battery also announced that John Raguin, a software industry veteran and former CEO and President of Guidewire Software, will rejoin the company as Executive in Residence. Raguin will offer operational guidance to battery portfolio software companies in the US and Europe, including working closely with Avrios and Vimcar. Raguin previously served as EIR at Battery from 2011 to 2013, and currently serves on the boards of Battery portfolio companies MadCap Software and CrunchTime! Information systems.
“We are excited to bring John back as EIR and are also extremely proud to announce Zak’s promotion to partner. It’s a role he represents in every sense, as Zak serves as a partner to technology entrepreneurs and management teams, junior members of the Battery team and others in the firm’s global offices,” said Morad Elhafed, general partner who works closely with Ewen on European investments. “As a senior member of our London team, Zak has played a key role in developing our technology investment strategy across Europe, a strategy we plan to accelerate over the coming years.”
As a partner, Ewen will help manage the London office as Battery expands its activities across Europe, a growing focus for the firm. The firm and its portfolio companies have invested in more than 100 European companies since 2005. The Battery Ventures London office was established in 2016.
Just last year, Battery announced new European investments in restaurant software company Vita Mojo and life sciences technology company Titian, both based in the UK, and Germany-based telematics platform company Proemion. Battery also reinvested in European ERP software company Forterro following its sale to Partners Group and reinvested in UK lab technology company SPT Labtech following its sale to EQT Private Equity.
Ewen holds a BA in Economics and Finance from Bentley University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
About Battery Ventures
Battery partners with exceptional founders and management teams to develop category-defining companies in markets including software and services, enterprise infrastructure, consumer technology, health IT and industrial technology, and life science tools. Founded in 1983, the firm supports companies at all stages, from seed and early stage to growth and buyout, and invests globally from offices in Boston, San Francisco, Menlo Park, New York, London and Tel Aviv. Follow the company on Twitter @BatteryVentures, visit our website at www.battery.com and find a complete list of Battery’s portfolio companies here.