Growing the Team: New Roles at xista
Grow as a hub for science-driven innovation, new roles and strategic hires are expanding the xista’s reach - from operations and venture building to founder support, IP management, and communications. Meet the latest team members helping shape what’s next.
Meet the team
- Annu Gmeiner is the new Venture Partner at xista science ventures. With a PhD in computer science and over 15 years of cross-sector experience, including digital transformation leadership at Microsoft, Annu helps deep-tech founders develop investment strategies, connect with partners, and grow scalable ventures.
- Sophie Bundle has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of xista innovation. With a decade of experience across consulting, finance, and renewables and a founder’s perspective from launching her own e-commerce startup, Sophie now leads operations, finance, and commercialization strategy, ensuring xista’s innovation pipeline is built to scale.
- Prue Donovan recently joined as Entrepreneurship and Innovation Lead, guiding scientists through the path from discovery to venture. With experience at CeMM, EPFL, UniQuest, and QIMR Berghofer, she brings deep expertise in IP, tech transfer, and biotech commercialization to support early-stage founders with strategic advice and strong networks.
- Francesca Bestostri joins as Intellectual Property Manager at xista innovation, bringing a PhD in chemistry and nearly a decade of experience at the intersection of science, patents, and industry. She previously worked in IP management roles at RHI Magnesita and Clariant, where she helped safeguard innovation in biotechnology and materials science. Francesca combines her technical background with legal and strategic acumen to support xista’s mission of turning research into investable ventures.
- Ines Méhu-Blantar joins as Communications and Events Manager, bringing a background in behavioral biology and strategic science communications. Having led stakeholder engagement, outreach, and brand development at IMBA (OeAW), the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, and the Natural History Museum Vienna, she now drives storytelling and visibility for the xista ecosystem.
What is next
At xista, we are building while growing: Expanding our team, launching new ventures, forming strategic partnerships, and shaping the infrastructure that will support the next generation of science-driven innovation.
This momentum doesn’t unfold in isolation. Every step forward - from early-stage research to successful startup - is part of an interconnected effort. As Europe doubles down on its innovation ambitions, we’re seeing how much is possible when science, entrepreneurship, and long-term vision align. It’s a dynamic time and one that underlines how ecosystemic innovation gains real traction: by connecting people, capabilities, and capital in the right places, at the right time. Welcome to all our new team members! We look forward to what is to come.
Further exciting news from our ecosystem
Growing the Team: New Roles at xista
Grow as a hub for science-driven innovation, new roles and strategic hires are expanding the xista’s reach - from operations and venture building to founder support, IP management, and communications. Meet the latest team members helping shape what’s next.
Meet the team
- Annu Gmeiner is the new Venture Partner at xista science ventures. With a PhD in computer science and over 15 years of cross-sector experience, including digital transformation leadership at Microsoft, Annu helps deep-tech founders develop investment strategies, connect with partners, and grow scalable ventures.
- Sophie Bundle has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of xista innovation. With a decade of experience across consulting, finance, and renewables and a founder’s perspective from launching her own e-commerce startup, Sophie now leads operations, finance, and commercialization strategy, ensuring xista’s innovation pipeline is built to scale.
- Prue Donovan recently joined as Entrepreneurship and Innovation Lead, guiding scientists through the path from discovery to venture. With experience at CeMM, EPFL, UniQuest, and QIMR Berghofer, she brings deep expertise in IP, tech transfer, and biotech commercialization to support early-stage founders with strategic advice and strong networks.
- Francesca Bestostri joins as Intellectual Property Manager at xista innovation, bringing a PhD in chemistry and nearly a decade of experience at the intersection of science, patents, and industry. She previously worked in IP management roles at RHI Magnesita and Clariant, where she helped safeguard innovation in biotechnology and materials science. Francesca combines her technical background with legal and strategic acumen to support xista’s mission of turning research into investable ventures.
- Ines Méhu-Blantar joins as Communications and Events Manager, bringing a background in behavioral biology and strategic science communications. Having led stakeholder engagement, outreach, and brand development at IMBA (OeAW), the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, and the Natural History Museum Vienna, she now drives storytelling and visibility for the xista ecosystem.
What is next
At xista, we are building while growing: Expanding our team, launching new ventures, forming strategic partnerships, and shaping the infrastructure that will support the next generation of science-driven innovation.
This momentum doesn’t unfold in isolation. Every step forward - from early-stage research to successful startup - is part of an interconnected effort. As Europe doubles down on its innovation ambitions, we’re seeing how much is possible when science, entrepreneurship, and long-term vision align. It’s a dynamic time and one that underlines how ecosystemic innovation gains real traction: by connecting people, capabilities, and capital in the right places, at the right time. Welcome to all our new team members! We look forward to what is to come.