Meet Sahir Surmeli

sahir-surmeli-headshot.jpeg

Contact Sahir:
1.617.348.3013
SSurmeli@mintz.com
Full Bio on Mintz.com
Connect with Sahir on LinkedIn
Follow him on Twitter at @EnergyCleanTech

Fun facts:
I once was a partner in two nightclubs in New York City.  It is a blast to grow a business: demanding and very challenging, and fun, just like my current passion — long distance running. I'm going for my third marathon next year!
 
If I weren’t a lawyer, I would be …
Working at an incubator helping start- ups raise money.  I know there are good matches out there. It just takes a lot of work to find the right ones. 
 
Android or iPhone?
iPhone and Garmin running watch!

Companies I’ve helped get off the ground:

  • Aeroshield Materials

  • Gradiant

  • Gradiant Osmotics

  • Jetti Resources

  • NBD Nanotechnologies

  • Pascal Technologies

  • Rivalia Chemical

  • Sora Fuel

  • Turing AI

  • XL Hybrids

I’ve practiced law on both sides of the globe, and represented clients on five continents, and I believe there is everything to be said for having a broad perspective on our evolving planet. As Co-chair of the firm’s Energy and Sustainability Practice, I get to spend the lion’s share of my time with people whose ideas are literally changing the world. We’re currently serving more than 250 clients in this dynamic arena, and in less than 10 years we’ve completed more than 400 transactions worth over $7 billion. That’s a lot of green. The increasing awareness of the importance of alternative energy sources provides fertile ground for my clients to cultivate their success. Likewise, it offers up ample opportunity for me to bring my experience, and the collective know-how of my colleagues, to crafting a solid array of creative financing solutions for entrepreneurs ready to make the jump into public and private markets. That’s job satisfaction.

Professional details

  • Co-chair, Energy Technology Practice

  • Member, Innovation Task Force of the New England Clean Energy Council

  • Member, MIT Energy Club

  • Mentor, BC Soaring Start Up Circle

  • Judge, Cleantech Open Northeast Regional Finals (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)

  • Judge and Mentor Committee member, Ignite Clean Energy: MIT Enterprise Forum Business Plan Competition (2007, 2008, 2009)

  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)

Education

  • MBA, University of Chicago

  • JD, University of Chicago

  • BA, Johns Hopkins University