Oksana Malysheva

Dr. Oksana Malysheva is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and business executive whose career spans physics, early-stage investing, and startup acceleration. With two degrees in physics from Moscow Institute of Technology, Malysheva immigrated from Ukraine to the United States on an academic scholarship and earned a doctorate in physics from University of Pennsylvania. Her background in physics and mathematics informs her approach to problem-solving, emphasizing data-driven experimentation and analytical precision.

Before entering venture capital, Malysheva advised Fortune 50 firms at McKinsey and contributed to the marketing team at Motorola during the launch of the RAZR cell phone. Her scientific training and experience in corporate strategy have shaped her perspective in early-stage investing and entrepreneurship.

Malysheva cofounded Sputnik ATX with Joe Merrill, a venture capital fund and startup accelerator based in Austin, Texas. As managing partner and CEO, she leads the firm in funding and training early-stage startup companies, focusing on identifying and supporting overlooked talent. Sputnik ATX has invested in more than 60 companies, with a majority led by women or minorities, and maintains a strong internal rate of return.

Malysheva was named to the Forbes Women 50 Over 50 Investment list for her impact in finance and venture capital. In addition to her role at Sputnik ATX, she serves as managing partner and founder of Linden Venture Fund and as president and CEO of Linden Education Partners. She is committed to supporting entrepreneurs from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds.

As a keynote speaker, Malysheva addresses topics including women in venture capital, leveraging STEM backgrounds in business, and strategies for launching successful startups. Her experience in startup acceleration, venture capital, and STEM entrepreneurship informs her presentations to investors, founders, and technologists.