She is also disarmingly authentic. 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. Allows traders to buy and sell bitcoin in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman finds that VCs still ignore products and services made for audiences theyre not familiar with, even those representing massive markets. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman finds that VCs still ignore products and services made for audiences theyre not familiar with, even those representing massive markets. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. 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 Now, with funding from limited partners including Norwest, CapitalG, Kapor Foundation, and LionTree, among others, Serena Ventures will be able to take its investments to the next level. Its incredible working with founders to help them solve everyday problems as well as find new companies along the way. Dan and Michael are unrelated and has never even talked to each other. For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. 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. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. While interviewing for jobs, she was the only person who I felt would empower me to succeed. Williams understands firsthand the plight of founders of color. Sign up to stay up to date on global innovation. Have a great Thursday. It also helps that a byproduct of working with diverse entrepreneurs is that it leads to a more diverse deal flow. What motivates me is our mission to make lives better and ensure that others in the venture industry and ecosystem see the value in innovation for all by all. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Dan popped the question to Emma in Friday Harbor, Washington in October 2021 ( Source : instagram ). As the famous story goes, I came over with tacos and a binder of pitches. and this attitude has led to White men receiving an overwhelming majority of venture capital funds. 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. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. Alison graduated from Harvard Business School in March 2018 ( Source : instagram ). On our Rise of the Next podcast, Honghao Deng and Jiani Zeng tell us how Butlr, which provides insights into commercial space usage, pivoted during the pandemic. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 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. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) I was someone who lived my life to be on a conveyor belt. Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Dan Rapaport girlfriend Emma Light is engaged in October 2021. Abena Anim-Somuah is a contributing writer at All Raise. Alison's role is Manager: This post was written in collaboration withAsif Yahiya Sukri LLP. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Founders should send a deck with their pitch even if it's just a "teaser deck." The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Moreover, Dan has a younger sister Robyn Rapaport, founder of Shop Robynro. 500 Startups makes no representations as to or guarantees of specific outcomes from relying on the contents of this post. Dana: Fill in the blank: I wouldnt get through quarantine without. They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. Clayton, who landed on Venture Capital Journals 2023 list of Rising Stars, talks about his journey and shares some advice for founders. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. More generally, Serena Ventures also works with accelerators (including 500 Startups) and diversity-focused funds to source leads, and looks at opportunities that originate outside major startup hubs. 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. Accelerating the success of female founders and funders to build a more prosperous, equitable future. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. The tennis stars firm, Serena Ventures, will invest in founders with diverse points of view. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) To be successful, though, you have to let go of the reins.". Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Even with her success and her privilege, she knows shes held to a different standard as a Black woman. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. Thats just the way of the land. Either Stillman, Williams, or another member of the firm's six-person team will schedule an introductory call with the founder. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. Sculptwear is an alternative to traditional shapewear that gives a smooth and tucked-in look under clothing. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. When I met my husband, that was our first conversation. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. The team also scores each prospective investment that makes it past the introductory rounds. Nothings going to replace what tennis was for her, but as shes thinking about whats nextits exciting to see her as passionate about this as you see her on the court., Matching investment wits with a tennis great, Re: Amal Enan (MBA2014); By: Julia Hanna; photographed by Abdelrahman Gabr Koree, Re: David Motley (MBA1988); Rosabeth M. Kanter (Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Im the most non-taking-a-chance kind of a person, but I felt like a seed was where we wanted to be.. When one thinks of the name Serena Williams, the majority of thoughts flow in the direction of her impeccable tennis career. 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. Dog mom . So why cant a man learn about tampons? 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. She has been actively investing in a portfolio worth at least $10 million in more than 50 startups through Serena Ventures over the past 6 years. A founder should hire a team around themselves and hire for what they are not. For fans of Williams, this year's US Open was likely a bittersweet moment. }); EVENTS he wrote. To raise a child it takes a village. Abena: What traits stand out to you in a founding team? Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. SERENA VENTURES. She first worked as an advisory and sales analyst before getting promoted to investment specialist for the company. Angel, Fund of Funds, Venture Capital), Number of Investments the Individual has partnered in, Announced Date: Date when the Investment is announced, Organization Name: Name of the organization that received the investment, Investor Name: Name of the investor who participated in the Investment, Lead Investor: This field indicates whether an investor led/organized the investment, Funding Round: Name of the funding round where the Investment is made, Money Raised: Amount of money raised in Funding Round, Total number of current Jobs the person has, Organization Name: This is the name of the organization, Title At Company: Title of a Person's Job, Start Date: Start date of the Person's Job, CB Rank (Hub): Algorithmic rank assigned to the top 100,000 most active Hubs, Total number of events the individual appeared in, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Finance and Operations & Information Management. 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 ). As a world-class athlete, businesswoman, philanthropist and mother, Serena Williams knows what it takes to win. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. The firm is headquartered in San Francisco Bay Area, West Coast, and the Western US. subcat: '', If you have a cold inbound, you can find great opportunities, she says. Serena Ventures' portfolio companies span a variety of industries, but Stillman said there were a few areas it had always been interested in. Still, 76% of Serena Ventures portfolio founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Dan Rapaport is not related to Ian Rapaport. Most notably, she helped launch the African Leadership University, named one of Africas most innovative companies in 2016 by Fast Company, and founded Black Women in Venture Capital, a community of over 200 Black women in venture capital who envision an equitable VC system. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. 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. Alison: Im excited about the refocus on the home. subcat: '', She can get an amazing read on a person and see the big picture really quickly, whereas it takes me longer. Marc started his job in 1983 as a banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Williams was heavily involved in her firms decision-making process well before she announced her retirement. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman finds that VCs still ignore products and services made for audiences theyre not familiar with, even those representing massive markets. When she is not working on the Business Development team at Ada Support, she is avidly baking and elevating Black culinary creatives on Instagram , listening to a podcast, or digging into a good book. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', 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. They make strategic decisions, manage finances and develop business plans. Serena Ventures most notable exits include The Wing and OLLY. WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. "It's a helpful tool for us. 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.