Sarah Djamshidi

Sarah Djamshidi is an entrepreneurial-minded CEO and company builder with more than two decades of experience in investment banking, strategic advisory, and federal contracting. She leads Speedshift Ventures, a mission-driven government contractor delivering cybersecurity, AI/ML, and digital modernization solutions in support of critical federal missions. With a deep belief in the power of innovation to transform the public sector, Sarah is focused on building a company that delivers secure, scalable, and future-ready solutions to government agencies.

Previously, Sarah served as CEO of the Chesapeake Innovation Center, the nation’s first homeland and national security accelerator, where she helped forge partnerships between emerging technology companies and federal agencies, accelerating the adoption of breakthrough solutions to enhance national security.

Throughout her career, she has advised more than 300 companies across their lifecycle, guiding growth strategies, capital raises, M&A transactions, and exits across sectors including defense, cybersecurity, biotech, logistics, and data analytics.

At Speedshift, Sarah has built a high-performing team of strategists, technologists, and mission-focused professionals driven by a shared commitment to solving the federal government’s most complex challenges. She fosters a culture rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and accountability, believing that empowered teams are the foundation of sustainable innovation and long-term impact.

Sarah has raised over $25 million in venture capital, testified before the U.S. Senate on small business and innovation policy, and served as president of the Maryland Business Incubation Association, supporting over 400 startups across 20+ incubators and accelerators. She holds FINRA Series 79 licensure, is trained in Certified Business Exit Consultation (CBEC), and earned her B.S. in Management Science and Statistics from the University of Maryland, with a specialization in Decision Information Systems.