Our Team
As a diverse team, we are committed to continue investing in diverse founders and providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. This strategy aligns with our mission to create a more inclusive and equitable startup ecosystem, and we're convinced that it will yield significant returns, both in terms of financial performance and societal impact.
Sylvia FLORES
Founder, Managing Director
Sylvia Flores is an award-winning entrepreneur and engineer with years of experience. She founded several startup companies and is knowledgeable of the U.S. Hispanic market. In 2003, she worked with Vicente Fox, the former President of Mexico, to establish a technology incubator for Mexican entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. Prior to her career in startups, Sylvia held various engineering positions at IBM.
She has also served as the Regional National Vice President for the Society of the Hispanic Professional Engineers. She was awarded the 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award in 2003 from Latino Style Magazine. She earned a Chemical Engineering degree from San Jose State University.
Priscilla TOWNSHEND
Managing Director
Priscilla is a multifaceted professional with a background in entrepreneurship, investment, and advisory roles within the startup ecosystem. In her entrepreneurial pursuits, Priscilla successfully owned and managed a series of chiropractic clinics. In 2017, she teamed up with her husband, Peter, to establish Townshend Venture Advisors, LLP (TVA). TVA stands out as an inventive firm dedicated to catering to the legal and business requirements of high-growth technology startups, investors, and entrepreneurs across Silicon Valley, San Diego, and nationwide.
In her capacity as an angel investor, Priscilla has contributed to over a dozen healthcare and technology startup ventures. She currently holds the position of Chief of Operations at Ambix Ventures, an $80 million healthcare venture fund. Priscilla holds a paralegal degree from UCLA and is on track to complete her business degree at Arizona State University.
Lamia AAMOU
Venture Partner, Middle East & Africa
Lamia is a distinguished leader, renowned for her strategic expertise in technological innovation and product development, with vast experience spanning African and European markets. At RATP Group, she led the innovation lab across 14 countries, focusing on smart city solutions, and deployed $8M from their corporate fund to drive 8 industrial projects. Lamia played a pivotal role in bringing together mobility experts, industry leaders, and startups to collaborate on forward-looking innovations. Additionally, she has advised 22 startups, guiding them from product R&D through to commercialization and industrialization.
Her academic qualifications include a Certification in Technology Innovation Management from École Polytechnique Paris, showcasing her capacity to lead and scale impactful technological initiatives.
Jessica CHIN FOO
Managing Director
Jessica is a distinguished leader known for her strategic expertise in ecosystem innovation, branding, and marketing within the Oceania and African markets. At KiwiTech, she spearheaded investment initiatives, investing in 34 startups, scouting over 1200+ startups, and engaging with over 1500+ investors. Her commitment to diversity was exemplified during her tenure at StartOut. Jessica also played a crucial role at the Tech4Island - ClimateTech Global Summit and advised the French Polynesian Minister of Energy on renewable energy investments, showcasing her influence in Oceania.
Her academic credentials include a BS in Environment & Natural Resources from UC Davis, an MBA in Global Management from NYIT, and a Certificate in Venture Capitalism from VC University.
Peter TOWNSHEND
Venture Director
Peter Townshend brings extensive expertise to Manos Capital as a lawyer, business advisor, and investor specializing in startups and venture capital. He founded Townshend Venture Advisors, LLP, and co-founded and manages Ambix Ventures, an $80 million life science fund. With a history of helping clients raise over $2 billion and contributing to the success of companies like eBay and ConforMIS, Peter's knowledge in angel and venture capital financing, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions is invaluable.
His academic credentials from Yale and UC Berkeley and a proven track record in Silicon Valley make him a key asset in driving Manos Capital's mission of empowering diverse founders and fostering innovation.
Priamo RENIER
Venture Partner, Latin America
Priamo Renier is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in founding and scaling tech companies. He has successfully led multiple ventures through various funding rounds, guiding them to strategic exits. One of his most notable achievements was founding Yattsi Communications, a robotics company focused on the healthcare sector, where he spearheaded the deployment of robots in clinics and hospitals.
Following the successful exit of Yattsi, Priamo established Y8&Co in Singapore, a venture firm dedicated to investing in Latino startups, supporting founders from ideation to launch. He currently serves as Venture Partner for Latin America at Manos Capital, focusing on fostering innovation and growth across the region.