“With an academic background in deep tech along with experience in deep tech commercialization and startup founder, operator, and investor experience, I am look forward to bringing investors to Phase Shift Ventures and aggregating capital to back innovative deep tech startups that can transform industries, create significant societal impact, and produce attractive investor returns.”
Bio
Dennis R. Pape, PhD is a physicist by training who has spent three decades inside Florida's defense and deep tech ecosystem. He founded Photonic Systems, helped build Milcom Technologies' (now Arsenal Venture Partners) portfolio of 14 dual-use tech companies that attracted over $600M in venture capital, co-founded SeedFundersOrlando (20 angel investments), and sits on the board of the Florida Venture Forum. He backed Rapta and Seagate Space because he could read the technical signal before the round was competitive. That is what Phase Shift Ventures is built around.
“I am an extremely hands on inventor and seasoned entrepreneur, engineer, and sometimes board member with a passion for solving complex multidisciplinary problems, creating value and bringing leadership to diverse teams from R&D to marketing to manufacturing.”
Bio
David earned a MS in Electrical Engineering from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. After he graduated he started his first company – ACT Microdevices – building a semiconductor style clean-room out of a burnt down church and growing it from cash flows while living in it. ACT re-branded as Haleos, a manufacturer of MEMS based fiberoptic components and assemblies. Raising venture capital for expansion in their 4th year the company grew to a $20M/yr run rate and filed 120 patents in 18 months. While serving as the President/CEO, he invented a Silicon Optical Bench platform that created hermetic micro-cavity RF packages at the wafer level for laser transmitters (Si-Pak), and formed a strategic alliance with Newport for joint development of next generation fiber optics and photonics manufacturing automation equipment. The company was acquired by Rohm and Haas, now Dow Chemical. He joined the Rohm and Haas team as their Director of Product Development and R&D and was a part of the corporate IP Strategy team. In July of 2008 he bought back his business and IP from Rohm and Haas just before the Dow Chemical and rebranded as NuvoTronics, Inc – a manufacturer of RF, radar, and wireless systems for defense and telecom organizations.
While serving as the President and CEO, he and his multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists designed multiple products, generating numerous contracts and awards from the space and defense industries. As the company continued to grow and expand it’s game-changing technology resulting in a portfolio of over 100 patents. The company was acquired by the Cubic Corporation for $64M in cash and added earn out options. He is now CEO and Founder of NuvoNexus, an R&D company, and an angel investor.
“I am working on better chemistries for our loved ones and the planet… from chemistries that enable safer and more desirable products and a complimentary effort to clean unwanted pollutants from the environment. Good science is a super power.”
Bio
Christina earned a Ph.D. in Material Science Engineering from the University of Central Florida, where she researched and developed high sensitivity nano-oxide sensors that operate at room temperature for hydrogen detection. She worked in corporate research and development at Lockheed Martin, where she was a principal investigator and co-investigator on several Department of Defense and company research programs, serving as co-founder and co-chair of the Lockheed Martin Nano-Bio Working group. She became an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Florida Polytechnic University, where she conducted research on material and sensor approaches for fog detection. She served as faculty chair and trustee, as well as the first coordinator of the inaugural mechanical engineering degree program.
She developed NanoRAD (Nano-based Residual Active Disinfectant), a patented nanoparticle engineered to disinfect the surface on which it is applied by producing hydrogen peroxide from water available in the air or around the pathogen. The transparent coating kills most bacteria and viruses within two hours and can last for up to three months. Unlike other disinfectants, it is also safer for people and the planet, eradicating infectious pathogens without the release of harmful toxins. She founded Kismet Technologies in 2019 to commercialize NanoRAD and has since expanded its portfolio to include infection-control products for wound healing and surface coatings for medical devices. With VC backing, Kismet has opened a manufacturing facility in Orlando and pilots programs for its products in hospitals, cruise ships and clean rooms.
“Building companies, backing innovation, and helping founders create lasting impact has been the focus of my career.”
Bio
John Vecchio is a software industry veteran, entrepreneur, and venture investor with more than four decades of experience building technology companies, scaling innovation platforms, and supporting early-stage growth.
He currently serves as Venture Partner at Phase Shift Ventures and Partner at Mosley Ventures, where he focuses on investing in emerging technology companies and mentoring founders across high-growth sectors.
Throughout his career, John has co-founded and scaled multiple venture-backed companies, including N2 Broadband, VideoAscent, and Clearleap, a “TV Everywhere” platform later acquired by IBM. His work has supported major enterprise and media organizations including Verizon, HBO, Sony, and the NFL.
In addition to his operating experience, John has led investments and served on the boards of numerous technology companies, including FSLogix, Tomahawk Robotics, Demand Driven Technologies, and RawShorts. He also co-founded innovation incubators Domi Station and GroundSwell to support entrepreneurial development and early-stage ecosystems.
John’s work centers on helping founders scale durable technology businesses through strategic guidance, operational insight, and long-term growth alignment.
“Focused on building relationships, supporting innovation, and creating long-term value across finance, technology, and investment ecosystems.”
Bio
As an intern at Phase Shift Ventures, David Scaife works across lending, investment analysis, and emerging technology ventures, with experience spanning mortgage finance, private markets, and strategic growth initiatives.
He also serves as an Account Executive at Orion Lending, where he partners with mortgage brokers to structure and fund residential loan solutions across FHA, Jumbo, DSCR, and down payment assistance programs. Alongside his lending experience, David has participated in investment research and manager due diligence through prior work with Glenmede Investment Management.
David is additionally involved in philanthropic and early-stage investment initiatives. He serves on the Audit and Finance Committee of the DSF Charitable Foundation and is a co-founder investor in Tunnl Labs, an AI-focused startup developing audience segmentation and advocacy targeting technology.
He earned a B.A. in Economics from Southern Methodist University and is currently pursuing his MBA at Rollins College.
"The best investments, like the best game plans, are built on preparation, pattern recognition, and the courage to act on what the data is telling you."
Bio
Anthony Matteis is Intern at Phase Shift Ventures and an Early Advantage MBA candidate at Rollins College with a background in Business Management and Economics. He brings hands-on experience in early-stage investment research, startup screening, and market analysis, having spent three years at Berkeley Stone Forex analyzing macroeconomic data, currency markets, and risk exposure across G10 currency pairs.
Anthony's analytical foundation is further strengthened by his work in structured scouting and data-driven evaluation frameworks developed through his role as a Varsity Baseball Coach at Rollins College. At Phase Shift Ventures, he supports venture-scale opportunities across deep tech, AI, robotics, aerospace, and frontier technology – combining rigorous research discipline with a passion for innovation at the edges of what's possible.
“Dennis has a rare combination of innovativeness and analytical talents that are extremely important in today's globally competitive high-technology environment.”
"I have been working with Dennis on early-stage deals for more than 10 years. His insights, knowledge, and attention to detail makes him a true leader in the field. I have seen him source deals, lead the due diligence, negotiate terms, and close an investment, skillfully and professionally numerous times throughout Florida, and in particularly in the Orlando area. His skills, connections, and experience are invaluable to the local startup ecosystem."
