JAMES F. KENEFICK

Serial Tech Entrepreneur | Early-Stage Investor | Accomplished Executive

Harnessing the Power of Technology to Improve Humanity

James F. Kenefick has spent 25 years turning innovation into an art form. A serial technology entrepreneur, with an eye for opportunity and a mind for science, his career began at EMC Corporation (now Dell EMC), later launching 7 companies, raising over $750M in capital, completing $150M in transactions, and contributing to eight successful exits. At Azafran Capital Partners particularly through portfolio companies, BetterWorld Technology and Working Excellence he invests in early-stage B2B firms developing transformational AI tools, machine learning platforms, and cybersecurity solutions. His leadership blends learning, execution, and healthy corporate culture to spark visionary innovation.

He has been on the forefront of the latest tech innovations to foster growth, drive efficiency in business and benefit humanity. From the outset, his ambition was to create a better tomorrow by transforming the way businesses and people interact with technology—from telecoms, mobile, internet platforms to machine learning / AI, tech platforms, digital tools and cybersecurity. Fueled by a deep-seated fascination with learning, corporate culture and business excellence, James has twice earned recognition as a finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and multiple Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 awards. These accolades testify to his bold vision and relentless drive.

"Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it."

- James’ Life Philosophy

His leadership in influential world renown international organizations is matched only by his entrepreneurial success. For two decades, James has been an integral part of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) holding positions on theInternational Board of Directors, the Washington, D.C.chapter chair, and the International Board Committee. He’s as comfortable navigating a remote fly-fishing stream as he is navigating global capital markets and board rooms.

An Entrepreneurial Leader and Lifelong Learner

James’s personal pursuits mirror the boldness of his professional life. His story doesn’t end in corporate boardrooms or data rooms. He is an active life long learner, constantly reading, searching for new places, experiences, and possibilities. He enjoys meditation, breathwork, fly fishing, yoga, surfing, sailing, golf, and exploring his culinary skills. When he isn’t working with the next wave of tech experts, he can be found traveling or exploring festivals like Burning Man, sailing the Carribean, playing golf in Puerto Rico, enjoying a glass of fine red wine while cooking in New York, or doing yoga and surfing at sunrise at his home in Costa Rica. This harmony between adventure, learning, achievement defines his leadership style, and the corporate culture he surrounds himself with. One who truly lives on the frontier.