Redefining Venture Capital Through Performance and Purpose

Tasneem Dohadwala is the Founding Partner of Excelestar Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments for founders in the medical technology, deep technology, and related fields. Under her leadership, the firm has achieved notable successes, including investments in Augmenix and nVision (both acquired by Boston Scientific), as well as Conformal Medical, Diesel Labs, Instylla, and Altiostar Networks. Before founding Excelestar Ventures, Tasneem worked in financial services on the sell-side at Lehman Brothers and at Matrix Partners. She is a passionate advocate for women's leadership and inclusion in business, having been actively involved in initiatives such as the Women of Lehman Brothers early in her career and serving as President of Wellesley College Alumnae Boston, the college's largest alumni organization. She has long prioritized mentoring and investing in female-led companies, believing that supporting women is key to advancing more women into leadership roles. She has also been actively involved with Golden Seeds, including as Managing Partner of the Boston Chapter. Tasneem's contributions have granted her significant recognition. Excelestar Ventures has been named one of the top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe. She has received honors such as Startup Boston’s Equity Champion of the Year and other awards highlighting her impact in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She also serves on several boards and advisory councils, including as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Pike School and as a member of Wellesley College’s President’s Advisory Council. Tasneem is a graduate of Wellesley College and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.