Elizabeth Young
Investment Manager at Par Equity
Elizabeth Young
Investment Manager at Par Equity
Greater Leeds Area
Overview
Work Experience
Investment Manager
2024 - Current
Par Equity is a venture capital investor focused on businesses with global ambitions, and innovative technology at their core. Venture capital is a hands-on process, and where technology is involved, industry knowledge is essential. Par Equity’s model integrates the insights and experiences of industry insiders into every facet of the investment process and, because these people are investors, their interests are closely aligned with Par Equity’s managed EIS and Series A venture funds. The Par Investor Network also provides a pool of individuals who can work with entrepreneurs to help them overcome the challenges that are frequently encountered in building high-growth companies.
Senior Investment Analyst
2021 - 2024
ACF Investors manage the Angel Cofund and the Delta Fund with £100m under management and a portfolio of over 100 companies. We work alongside syndicates of sector smart business angels backing high potential company’s across the UK.
PhD Researcher: vascularity in NT-SCI
2018 - 2024
Identified mechanical thresholds at which changes to vasculature (blood flow rates, tissue oxygen supply and consumption) manifested during asymptomatic development of early NT-SCI. Built a finite element model to simulate changes to spinal cord blood flow and oxygen transport under various injury parameters: namely strain, location and injury profile. The COMSOL model was composed of a fluid-structure interaction model, modelled as a free-porous medium coupled to oxygen transport. Model development focused on appropriate governance physics (Stokes/Brinkman's flows), material parameters required for appropriate representation of the spinal cord as a porous medium (i.e., permeability and porosity) and oxygen consumption modelling. Strains that elicited a change in tissue oxygen consumption were identified below <10% and showed variation between locations and profiles - diffused anterior injuries were the most detrimental to the vascular system. Key skills: COMSOL, Abaqus, SolidWorks, data analysis, scientific writing, presentation skills and project management. - Cross-CDT network (EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training) student representative involved in improving dialogue between specialisms and co-organising skills workshops, e.g: teaching methods, working effectively with your supervisor, working from home. - Co-organised the annual joint CDT conference, across multiple universities, through the abstract and presentation selection committee. - Have presented findings at the Wings for Life neurotrauma summer school (2018), UCL internship (2017/2018), cross-CDT (2017), and internal (2016-2021) events.
Co-founder of wellbeing initiative
2019 - 2021
Co-founder of a well being initiative in our institute, working to raise awareness and improve discussions around mental health in academia. Received funding to design and provide workshops/resources: hosted a joint academic-student panel discussing the student-supervisor relationship, an open-floor discussion on goal-setting and management and methods of self-compassion and mindfulness. Organised the Institute 2021 Away Day for 40+ staff.
Laboratory demonstrator
2017 - 2021
Demonstrated on introductory biochemistry, biological sciences and academic/experimental/professional skills modules; grouped student teams, applied discursive and open-question methods of teaching, as well as equipment management and data/assessment feedback. Obtained recognition via the Professional Recognition in Student Education (PRiSE) associate fellowship scheme.
Examinations staff
2018 - 2020
Instrumental in building the infrastructure for script management, assisted with the preparation and organisation of exam materials and venues and led as an invigilator.
MedTech BEST mentor/participant
2016 - 2018
Winner of the MedTech BEST competition funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering; created a business plan for device commercialisation and investment pitch. The following year, participated in the national BioTech YES competition to place second in our group, and mentored a team of mixed under-/post-graduates for MedTech BEST, who won the competition.
Investment Analyst
2020 - 2021
Sourced and managed deal flow in West Yorkshire: sourced 80 companies in 11 months. Supported founders through the investment process, undertook due diligence across the medtech/deep tech sectors and contributed to 5 investment memos. Established networks with four new universities and three external venture/startup networks in the Northern regions and beyond.
Juno Digital Health: developing a user-centric product
2018 - 2019
Received £2.5K funding to participate in this project part-time during my studies. Focused on the design of a women's health app, primarily the UI/UX workflow, based on user-centric focus groups. Designed, organised and undertook empathy interviews - comprised of primary users, local CCG's and women's healthcare charities - to consolidate evidence-based design for the product content and UI. Pitched at the North England Life Science Accelerator (NELSA) and exhibited at the GIANT conference.
UCL academic secondment
2018 - 2018
Undertook an academic secondment at the Shipley lab in University College London to collaborate on my core PhD work. Won the 2-day "frugal innovation" design and pitch workshop.