Former Musk assistant transitions to venture capital investing in SpaceX and xAI

In the United States, Elissa Butterfield spent significant time managing the calendar and demands of Elon Musk while being one of his executive assistants. During her tenure from 2016 to 2022, she played crucial roles in various projects at Tesla and SpaceX, exhibiting her adaptability in handling constantly changing priorities. After leaving Musk's employ, she joined Island Green Capital Management in 2024 as a venture capitalist and has since invested in Musk's companies, including SpaceX and xAI. Notably, she was involved in a significant stake acquisition in SpaceX, valued around $350 billion, showcasing both her experience and strategic investment choices. Butterfield's joinery into venture capital aligns with a growing trend of former executives from tech giants transitioning into investment roles. This strategy often allows these individuals to leverage their comprehensive understanding of industry dynamics, gleaned from their previous roles in leadership positions. With Island Green Capital Management now boasting $88 million in assets under management, Butterfield has led the firm into avenues that have garnered significant attention within the investment community, including backing startups like Impulse Space, which are spearheaded by SpaceX alumni. During her time managing Musk’s priorities, Butterfield engaged in myriad projects that tested her organizational skills and resilience. For instance, she managed logistics for groundbreaking initiatives, including transforming Tesla's parking facility into a site for tunneling trials and spearheading community planning for SpaceX's Boca Chica launch site. Her experiences included mitigating project team challenges and satisfying the whims of a demanding leader. Despite the rigorous nature of her previous roles, Butterfield emerged as a formidable figure who now applies her skill set to help in advancing cutting-edge technology startups, shifting her focus into the investment landscape. In summary, Butterfield's role at Island Green is indicative of a broader movement where tech industry veterans seek to use their knowledge from closely-held companies to influence emerging enterprises. The venture capital firm's investments reflect confidence in innovative technologies, showcasing a commitment to supporting both established giants like SpaceX and new contenders in the aerospace sector. As these entities continue to grow, Butterfield’s contributions as an investor could prove pivotal in shaping the next era of technological advancements.