Team
Richard Jaekel
Co-Founder
Richard is a seasoned entrepreneur and investment professional with deep experience across alternative investments, quantitative finance, capital markets structuring, and global business development. His work focuses on building and scaling institutional-grade investment platforms and structured products that bridge advanced technology with disciplined risk management.
Richard thrives at the intersection of strategy, execution, and financial innovation. Throughout his career, he has founded and led multiple ventures across investment management, structured finance, and real-asset investing, navigating complex regulatory environments, cross-border transactions, and institutional counterparties. His approach is grounded in rigorous analysis, operational precision, and a long-term view of capital formation.
As Co-Founder of Optimus Analytics, Richard plays a central role in shaping the firm’s strategic direction, investor engagement, and institutional partnerships. He works closely with quantitative and technology teams to translate sophisticated models and proprietary research into investable, scalable strategies delivered through professionally structured vehicles.
In addition, Richard is deeply involved in the development and distribution of Actively Managed Certificates (AMCs), working alongside issuers, administrators, custodians, and global intermediaries to expand access to innovative investment solutions across international markets. His experience spans product structuring, exchange listings, distribution strategy, and investor onboarding across multiple jurisdictions.
Richard brings a disciplined, performance-oriented mindset to his work, shaped by years of entrepreneurial leadership and hands-on execution in complex, regulated environments. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is committed to mentorship and collaboration, supporting founders and investment professionals as they build durable, responsible businesses.
Richard remains focused on creating long-term value through innovation, governance, and thoughtful capital deployment, with a continued emphasis on building institutional-quality investment platforms on a global scale.
Shamsher Vellani
Co-Founder
Shamsher is an innovative global entrepreneur operating at the intersection of fintech, quantitative finance, mathematics, engineering, and artificial intelligence. His work focuses on building sophisticated, AI-driven investment platforms and structured products that combine the agility of modern technology with the rigor of institutional finance.
Shamsher thrives in environments where complex problems, deep technology, and ambitious ideas converge. Across his ventures, he has scaled AI-powered trading platforms facilitating hundreds of millions in transaction volume across regulated markets, while navigating cross-border compliance, licensing frameworks, and global capital-markets infrastructure. His approach blends unconventional thinking with mathematically grounded models, enabling the development of proprietary systems that challenge traditional financial paradigms.
As Co-Founder of Optimus Analytics, Shamsher helps lead a globally focused investment management firm that applies advanced quantitative research and proprietary financial technologies to deliver sophisticated, high-performance investment strategies.
Shamsher’s competitive edge is shaped by years as a semi-professional and NCAA varsity ice hockey athlete, instilling a high-performance mindset grounded in discipline, resilience, and long-term strategic thinking. Beyond business, he is committed to mentorship and community development, supporting founders and emerging leaders who are redefining the boundaries of technology and finance.
Shamsher remains driven by purpose, performance, and progress, with a continued focus on building the next generation of financial technology on a global scale.