Aymerik RenardInvestor

United States - Redwood City, California

Based in Silicon Valley, I’m a General Partner at Hardware Club VC, an international early-stage hardware-focused venture capital fund.

I have over 25 years of business development and investing experience spanning hardware, software, and services, across four continents. Angel investments include Carta and Eargo (IPO).

Several of my portfolio companies have had successful IPOs on the Nasdaq and NYSE, with others acquired by Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, SAP, Yahoo, Sun Microsystems, Oracle, Cox Automotive, Keynote Systems, Ericsson, Assa Abloy, Toro, Digital Island, ITXC, and Cable & Wireless.

Prior to joining HCVC in 2017, I led Western Digital’s North American and European strategic venturing program at Western Digital Capital. I came to WDC via its acquisition of SanDisk, where I led investments in North America for SanDisk Ventures. Before SanDisk I was the VP in charge of venture-backed supply chain startup PCH International’s emerging business team targeting startups, where I co-founded Highway 1, a hardware startup accelerator between San Francisco and Shenzhen. Earlier, I headed France Telecom-Orange’s venture activities in the US, investing on behalf of Innovacom as well as France Telecom Technology Investments and Orange Ventures.

I’m a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University in Information & Decision Systems as well as Policy & Management, and started my computing industry career while a student, serving as Campus Representative for Apple Computer.

I enjoy working with companies that can have a profound impact on their ecosystem. The companies I've been involved with have pioneered significant advances in the Internet, computing, mobile, and consumer electronics industries.

I've used online services since the days of acoustic coupler modems, have worked with Internet technologies since 1989, and mobile systems since 1993.

I have a multicultural background, having lived in the US, Norway, Brazil, France, Scotland, England, China, and Singapore, and conducted business in a significant number of other countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

I have substantial experience with public speaking, conference presentations, and working with the media. Over the years I've been interviewed and referenced by US National Public Radio, Private Equity Week, The Corporate Venturing Report, Global Corporate Venturing, Upside Magazine, Tele.Com Magazine, La Tribune, Le Point, Red Herring, Fortune Small Business, DotCEO Magazine, Tornado Insider, The Industry Standard, and Venture Reporter, among others.