One meeting led to another and the next thing you know, Im working at Serena Ventures. According to the National Venture Capital Association data, only 4% of the people who work in venture capital are Black. Dan popped the question to Emma in Friday Harbor, Washington in October 2021 ( Source : instagram ). Im the most non-taking-a-chance kind of a person, but I felt like a seed was where we wanted to be.. Williams was heavily involved in her firms decision-making process well before she announced her retirement. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Sales Partnership Solutions Im a firm believer that success comes from focusing on the skills you want to develop and the people you want to work for rather than fixating on job titles. The views expressed herein are as at the date of this summary and are subject to change without notice. Still, one key factor the firm looks for in an investment opportunity is whether the company is tapping into a sizable market that it's excited about. Under no circumstances should any content in this post be construed as investment, legal, tax or accounting advice by 500 Startups, or an offer to sell or solicitation of interest to purchase any securities advised by 500 Startups. Dan took to Instagram to post a picture of the two as they flaunt the ring from a resort rooftop in Friday Harbor, Washington. Ultimately, Stillman believes that a Serena Ventures company is defined by three qualities. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Have a great Thursday. SERENA VENTURES. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. Like thats not even possible, thats near perfect., I couldnt wrap my mind around basically almost 100% of money is going to the men., And thats when Williams investing mission was formed: I wanted to really bring diversity to VC in the way that I could. They are finding new sectors to focus on, such as the rise of online education. Marc started his job in 1983 as a banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Serena Ventures also works with accelerators (including 500 Startups) and diversity-focused funds to source leads and looks at opportunities that originate outside significant startup hubs. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Impact can take many forms, she continues. . During this time, I got along really well with Carmelos business manager, Stuart Goldfarb, who saw that I understood how to work with sports talent and also had a deep understanding of the investment world, a rare combination of two very different skills sets. My puppy Zoe. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. B.E. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. I knew that I wanted to do a fund, but I worked backward, by using my own capital and then creating a track record and getting to know everyone.. The tennis stars firm, Serena Ventures, will invest in founders with diverse points of view. After graduating from Harvard, Alison joined the Jefferies & Company as an banking analyst in June 2009. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Stillman said it scored companies in due diligence across a number of metrics. Black Men XCEL The couple had been to many beautiful locations throughout the globe, the nuances of which Emma has captured in photographs. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. The funds limited partners include Norwest Venture Partners, Capital G (Alphabets growth fund) and LionTree. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman, Serena Ventures. Still, 76% of Serena Ventures portfolio founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Marc attend Dan's game for the first time as an audience in August 2020 at Quaker Ridge Golf Club, Scarsdale, New York ( Source : instagram ). The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. To take a closer look at how Serena Ventures developed its diverse portfolio and pipeline, Alison recently joined 500 Startups CEO Christine Tsai for a fireside chat at the 2021 Unity and Inclusion Summit. As a world-class athlete, businesswoman, philanthropist and mother, Serena Williams knows what it takes to win. As Analyst, Ashel assists with sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support initiatives at Serena Ventures. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Some of Alison Stillman's colleagues are Alison Rapaport, Amy Berliner, Kyra Mccarty, Alison Rapapaort, Olivia Griffian, Serena Williams, Jair Bobbitt, Veronica Reaves. Nacho lover Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. The ability to write bigger checks and the ability to lead seed rounds really enables us to deliver on our mission and to unlock value for our investors and open doors for founders, Williams says. You can also reach out to them oninfo@aysasia.com, Your email address will not be published. All views and opinions presented herein by such third party participants do not represent those of 500 Startups or any of its affiliates or representatives. Nacho lover Plenty of its portfolio companies come from Silicon Valley, but two of its most recent investments came from North Carolina and Wisconsin. In a December 2020 interview with the HBS Alumni Bulletin, Stillman describes the duos skill sets as different and super complementary. targeting: { WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Her partner Alison Rapaport Stillman backs Serena while stating that VCs ignore products and services made for audiences theyre unfamiliar with, even those representing massive markets with loyal customers. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. For fans of Williams, this year's US Open was likely a bittersweet moment. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. Partner @Serenaventures. That constant sense of regret for not having taken up golf at a younger age compelled him not to let his kids have the same mistake. She first worked as an advisory and sales analyst before getting promoted to investment specialist for the company. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. The natural beauty of the world around the island struck them. San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley), This describes the type of investor the person is (e.g. Dana: What trends are you excited to see in the world of consumer? Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Serena Ventures invests in early-stage companies, but Stillman said the firm understood that companies wouldn't always adhere to their original pitches as they grew. They want to work with us because they know that we will come to them from a place of empathy, said Alison. targeting: { We had the pleasure of hearing from Alison on advice she would give to her younger self, her path to VC, and how she has stayed motivated during this time. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 And she says, No, its true. And I literally couldnt wrap my mind around the fact that 98 percent of all of this money were talking about billions of dollars goes to one type of individual.. That includes looking at digital learning as a supplement and a way to attack inequities in traditional education systems. And also, its very authentic. One recent investment they made is Fiveable, a woman-led Milwaukie edtech startup helping students prepare for AP exams by offering free online resources. Zoe is the best decision that we have made in quarantine. The stats about the fund received by black women entrepreneurs in the recent years highlights the problem. Serena Williams founded Serena Ventures in 2014. The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). Ive watched all of Face Off, a show where people go head-to-head with special effects and makeup. Television. Alison: We are in a moment when people have finally realized that inequity exists in all aspects of life what many of us have known for a long time. "I am one proud little brother!!" "Maybe we're so enamored by the founder, but when we actually take the time to dig down into the economics, it might not be the right thing," Stillman said. Besides, the one thing the golf star has in common with his fiance is their hunger for adventure and travel. According to Zola, Dan and his future wife Emma have set their wedding date for June 10, 2023, in the scenic landscape of Chicago. It is important to us that the founder has a personal connection to the problem and is uniquely positioned to solve it. This post is intended solely for general informational or educational purposes only. Her partner Alison Rapaport Stillman backs Serena while stating that VCs ignore products and services made for audiences theyre unfamiliar with, even those representing massive markets with loyal customers. We had great chemistry on that call. Ultimately, any founder who wins an investment from Serena Ventures will also have gone through a couple of rounds of interviews with Williams and Stillman. Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. Their most recent diversity investment was on December 5, 2020, when Kiira Health raised. William states, Its fun to get in there. Thus, Marc bought Dan a golf set on his fourth birthday. Stillman said long emails and 10-page business plans, on the other hand, were not welcome. Thats how we met. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. Another way Alison recommends sourcing diverse deal flow is by not requiring a warm intro. aid: '782078', I dont gamble. cat: 'entrepreneurship', cat: 'entrepreneurship', We dont fit the mold of venture.. He worked for numerous organisations in various positions, including manager, director, and executive. Ms. Williams, who holds 23 Grand Slam tennis titles, was inspired by a talk between Caryn Seidman-Becker, the chief executive of the security company Clear, and Jamie Dimon, the head of JPMorgan Chase. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Im still able to see the opportunity and help the company grow. } By highlighting this behaviour and offering support, we are drawing awareness to the systemic issues at hand and showing people in the industry how it can be done. And the only way to change those numbers was to be the person writing the big checks.. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. Register for your account and get started with our industry leading people contacts search engine. I think celebrities dont always experience pushback, but I give that, which she respects, and she does it with me., Two years later, that hasnt changed. More than half of the firm's portfolio companies were founded by women, and more than three-fourths were founded by people from historically underrepresented backgrounds, according to the firm's website. }).render('5eec50a0f683429ca3814da74bd486aa'); Serena agrees that there is a social purpose to that decision. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Have a great Thursday. Abena Anim-Somuah: Tell us how you met Serena and what drew you to work with her? cat: 'entrepreneurship', It can be as simple as making products more affordable or accessible. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Anyone can read what you share. I was at a conference and Caryn Seidman-Becker, the founder of CLEAR, was on stage and she said less than 2% of all VC money goes to women. We are focusing not just on the people, but on the market. Abena: What traits stand out to you in a founding team? ]); Weve made some investments in the food and beverage space but are interested in the holistic wellness space as well. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). Pavan is an Associate at Serena Ventures where he researches market trends, dives into emerging sectors, and sources new investment opportunities. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner, Alison's role is Manager: Owner & Partner, Partner. Alison's role is Manager: Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, Alison was a Vice President at JPMorgan Chase and Read More Contact Alison Stillman's Phone Number and Email Last Update 11/24/2022 9:52 AM Email a***@serenaventures.com Engage via Email Contact Number (***) ***-**** Engage via One recent investment they made is Fiveable, a woman-led Milwaukie ed-tech startup helping students prepare for AP exams by offering free online resources. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. I want to highlight that we do not invest in women and people of color to simply check a box, Rapaport Stillman told the online publication All Raise. Serena is such a smart and driven person. Ms. Williamss other business activities include fashion lines, entertainment deals and a seat on the board of Poshmark. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. The two cherished couple, beaming happy in the early morning, enjoyed an excellent breakfast as she held a Veuve Clicquot champagne bottle. Kyra is the Operations Manager for Serena Ventures where she oversees the day-to-day operations for the team and helps manage LPs, Portfolio Founders, and prospective investment companies. My path to Serena Ventures started with another sports superstar, ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. Women of Power Summit Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Every quarter, the team brainstorms sectors it wants to dive deeper into. Previous to Serena Ventures, Alison worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase, as well as in talent management for several athletes. That makes pitching less intimidating, because it can be difficult to find an introduction on Sand Hill Road, especially if youre not in Silicon Valley. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Im more on the analytical side, the portfolio-construction side. Those include "business opportunity, founder fit, business model, and mission alignment," she told Insider by email. Owners & Partners are responsible for the overall success of the business. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. In October 2020, the duo enjoyed a family lunch with their parents at a cosy restaurant in LA, California. In hindsight, I did not need to worry about the other people who barely thought of me. Serena Ventures has made investments in over 30 companies across multiple industries, including Coinbase, Daily Harvest, and Billie to name a few. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. There is no surprise element that the primary reason why women and entrepreneurs of color struggle to access venture funding is the ignorant nature of VCs. Venture capitalists tend to believe in founders who feel familiar and thereby move forward to fund them. Dana Iverson is a contributing writer at All Raise. This post was written in collaboration withAsif Yahiya Sukri LLP. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. That includes companies that focus on issues from mobility to menopause to deathtech, Stillman said. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of I just want people that believe in our mission and that want to be a part of something really amazing. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. Serena Williams raises $111 million for new venture fund. But as Serena Ventures is proving, it doesnt have to be this way. Early Stage Venture Investors Female Founded Venture Capital Investors, Western US Venture Capital Female Founded Companies, San Francisco Bay Area Female Founded Companies, San Francisco Bay Area Female Founded Micro VCs, Female Founded Early Stage Venture Investors with Investments in San Francisco, California, Finance Companies With Fewer Than 10 Employees (Top 10K), United States Investors with Funds Raised in 2022, San Francisco Bay Area Female Founded Investors. Alisa Gumbs is the executive managing editor of BLACK ENTERPRISE, planning and creating content across the company's print, digital, events, and broadcast platforms. Inclusivity is a key factor for us, we analyze all aspects of a business with that lens, including who is on the team, who the target customers are, and what the price points look like. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. The pair hiked along rugged coastlines, through thick forests admiring all the beauty they witnessed. In addition to growing the reach and impact of the SV portfolio, Alison is the person founders turn to when they need pointed advice, detailed feedback, and tough love. So I spent the week practicing my pitch with friends. The investment firm led by the tennis star is already an active angel investor with a portfolio of 60 companies that includes SendWave, MasterClass and Daily Harvest. Sitting in a room for six months brainstorming to find a white space with a huge market opportunity is not the way to build a company. Furthermore, he is also one of the founding members of a top soccer league in the US, Major League Soccer (MLS). According to her Linkedin profile, Alison is a financial expert and analyst whose job is to provide vast arrays of specualtions and predictions of the money market and help the company accordingly. Review address history and property records. She eventually widened the criteria and today Serena Ventures will fund anyone with a good idea. Like, look at what we have done.. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Looking at the VC industry more broadly, Alison doesnt see a diverse pipeline problem, but a networking issue. Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. The two lovebirds had a great time ice skating in Snowmass Village, Colorado. Serena Ventures has a market cap of $14 billion and 29 active investments. Emma also posted a picture on her Instagram as they shared a passionate kiss after he popped her the question. Among its portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of founders are people of color. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. So why cant a man learn about tampons? Williams understands firsthand the plight of founders of color. Dan Rapaport father Marc Rapaport is a real estate agent from Los Angeles. Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014. } It has been fun to watch creative people in that setting because Im not a creative person. For example, the general contact email on the Serena Ventures website gets between 10 to 40 emails a daymany of these are autograph requests, but they also include pitches from entrepreneurs, which their team does actually consider. There are so many things that keep me in venture. When Serena Williams first launched the firm, she explicitly wanted to provide funding for more women. Dan and Emma enjoying photogenic landscape in Snowmass Village, Colorado, July 2021 ( Source : instagram ). Privacy Policy kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', The firm is headquartered in San Francisco Bay Area, West Coast, and the Western US. Dan and Michael are unrelated and has never even talked to each other. In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. Investors claiming they cant find opportunities to invest in women and founders of color probably arent trying hard enough, said Alison. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. You just naturally wake up and you say, like, wow, 70% of my founders are women.. Stillman told Insider a core part of the mission of Serena Ventures was to back founders with "incredible potential" who might have been overlooked by other investors. The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. It is dominated by men who try to solve problems and fund innovation for a nation that is rich in socioeconomic diversity yet neither funders nor founders adequately represent our nation. And that needs to happen across the board.. By: Julia Hanna, Demographics-Race-African American, Black, Alumna-Led Reproductive Health Startup Raises $4.7 Million. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Investing in people who look like you eventually leads to systemic exclusion. Dana: The goal of Serena Ventures is to make everyday lives better. How does this manifest in the companies that you choose to invest in? tude.cmd.push(function() { Sign up for notifications from Insider! For me success is when you dont have to have the quota, said Alison. The former world no one tennis player and winner of 23 grand slam singles titles, Serena Williams, has her name written in golden words in the history of world tennis. We do VC differently through standout strategies, bold initiatives, and a global network of investors, business leaders, and influencers. However, Im a firm believer that success comes from focusing on the skills you want to develop and the people you want to work for rather than fixating on job titles. Lets just be honest, you know I couldnt just say Oh Im going to do this and have fun with it. The firm, which announced an $111 million fund in March, already included a portfolio of 60 firms from Williams earliest investment activity; she wrote one of the first checks for Masterclass, and was also an early backer of Noom and Impossible Foods, among others. Right now, the firm is excited about companies that address aging. Allows traders to buy and sell bitcoin in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Review address history and property records. WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. The information is out there.. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', If you have a cold inbound, you can find great opportunities, she says. "A Serena Ventures company is gritty, mission-oriented, and pushing boundaries," she said. 500 Startups makes no representations as to or guarantees of specific outcomes from relying on the contents of this post. I want to highlight that we do not invest in women and people of color to simply check a box, Rapaport Stillman told the online publication All Raise. It's not the only thing." Alison Stillman has 1+ years experience as Partner. I spent my teenage and college years trying to be liked and now I talk to three people from my high school. There has been a lot of innovation outside of the home, but now with consumers spending most of their days at home we have the opportunity to think through how to make home life better. page_type: 'article', Alison Stillman's peers at other companies are Ariane Rocha, Margaret Ursua, Marine Casiez, Joseph Eazyway, Janice Patriarca, David Guthery, Karen Chapman, John Stafford. In addition to growing the reach and impact of the SV portfolio, Alison is the person founders turn to when they need pointed advice, detailed feedback, and tough love. Besides, Marc stars in the new Netflix docu-series about the PGA golf tour, "Full Swing," which premiered on February 15, 2023. targeting: { The same goes for actor Michael Rapaport. One of my favorite parts about my job is the people I get to work with every day and how much I get to learn from Serena and from the team around us, Rapaport Stillman says. However, just like in tennis, Serena does not believe in following the herd mentality while taking on investments. I legit thought she misspoke because 98% is a huge number, Williams says. Dana Iverson: What got you into venture, and what is keeping you here? When he posted an Ask Me Anything during Q&A sessions, one user commented whether he is related to Ian or Michael, to which he replied, "Negative."

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