JAMES F.
KENEFICK
JAMES F. KENEFICK
Serial Tech Entrepreneur | Early-Stage Investor | Accomplished Executive
Harnessing the Power of Technology to Improve Humanity
For the past 25 years, James F. Kenefick, an entrepreneur based in New York, Washington D.C., Nosara Costa Rica, and London, has been using the latest tech innovations to foster growth 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 machine learning and AI to MedTech, B2B tech platforms, and digital tools. Fueled by a deep-seated fascination with the subject, James has twice earned recognition as a finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and multiple Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 awards.
"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
For two decades, James has been an integral part of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) International Board of Directors, and the Washington, D.C. International Board Committee. His career began with a passion for tech and a dream to make an impact. Starting out at EMC Corporation (now Dell EMC), he has since launched three companies, raising over $500M in capital in less than 10 years. To date, James has successfully completed more than $150M in transactions for 10 technology and healthcare-related companies. In addition, he has been part of 8 successful exits.
James is the Managing Partner of Azafran Capital Partners, a venture capital firm established in 2017. Under his guidance, Azafran is leading the way to the future with strategic investments in early-stage health tech and B2B companies focused on transformational diigital tools of voice, acoustics, imagery wrapped in machine learning. The experienced team blends execution, capital formation, and corporate culture to create the perfect environment for visionaries, innovators, and creators that they fund.
An Entrepreneurial Leader and Lifelong Learner
With an eye for opportunity and a mind for science, James is not only innovating in the worksite but also constantly searching for new places, experiences, and possibilities. He has taken two year-long sabbaticals to travel the world, from New Zealand to Africa, only to discover more from the within. James strives to maintain a balance between his professional life and favorite pastimes, such as skiing, sailing, fly fishing and golfing. When he isn’t working with the next wave of tech experts, he can be found traveling or exploring festivals like Burning Man, enjoying a glass of fine red wine while cooking in New York, or doing yoga and surfing in Costa Rica.