Serena Ventures invests in founders who solve everyday problems through unconventional thinking and diverse points of view. For the past nine years, it has managed a portfolio of more than 60 angel investments, using Williams own money. cnx({ Nacho lover Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. She is a student at Princeton University in the School of Public and International Affairs with Minors in Entrepreneurship and Urban Studies. Dan Rapaport is not related to Ian Rapaport. 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. After graduating from Brentwood school, Alison studied psychology for a while before enrolling at the Wharton School. Administration); By: April White, Re: Sherrese Clarke Soares (MBA2004); By: Jen McFarland Flint, Re: Ali Stillman (MBA2018); Anita Elberse (Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration); Black Men XCEL The champions for Black female founders are here to stay. tude.cmd.push(function() { url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). This mindset allows us to have a broad and holistic approach to invest in FinTech, Wellness, and everything in between. Still, 76% of Serena Ventures portfolio founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. ]); BE 100s Anyone can read what you share. 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. Since then, she and her partner, Alison Rapaport Stillman, have made angel investments in over 60 companies, including the edtech unicorns like MasterClass and consumer-product startups like Billie and Daily Harvest. Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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. } 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. Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. 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. Abena Anim-Somuah: Tell us how you met Serena and what drew you to work with her? Review address history and property records. Have a great Thursday. Stillman said it scored companies in due diligence across a number of metrics. playerId: '783ef340-6832-4112-80cd-0e5f57b51915' She has persevered to become one of the top tennis players in history with 23 Grand Slam titles. Insider chatted with Stillman about how to land a spot in the Serena Ventures portfolio. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. All third party links in this post have not been independently verified by 500 Startups and the inclusion of such links should not be interpreted as an endorsement or confirmation of the content within. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Like, look at what we have done.. 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. Registry of Corporate Directors. It helps that Serena Ventures has a diverse team led by women. 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." Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. Their most recent acquisition was on May 27, 2021, when Infinite Objects raised $6M.Serena Ventures has made 21 diversity investments. Serena Ventures investments include MasterClass, Andela, Mayvenn, Tonal and Noom, to name a few. She has brought so much joy to our family and is a living reminder that there is a world beyond my screen. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. In a December 2020 interview with the HBS Alumni Bulletin, Stillman describes the duos skill sets as different and super complementary. Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. 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. 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. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. My path to Serena Ventures started with another sports superstar, ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. They are innovators who understand what goes into building companies. Ian Rapaport a television analyst and pundit for National Football League (NFL) ( Source : instagram ). Quoting its founder, Serena, I am by no means alone in my mission to build an inclusive venture capital landscape. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. 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. Every company that we invest in isnt meant for Alison Rapaport Stillman and I know that, she said. On that front, Alison advocates working with organizations like BLCK VC or All Raise. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; To raise a child it takes a village. Entrepreneurs Summit Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. You just naturally wake up and you say, like, wow, 70% of my founders are women.. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. Alison graduated from Harvard Business School in March 2018 ( Source : instagram ). We are focusing not just on the people, but on the market. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. To be successful, though, you have to let go of the reins.". Marc inspired him to pursue a career in golf at the age of 4 as Dan grew up with a sister. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. Emma also posted a picture on her Instagram as they shared a passionate kiss after he popped her the question. They want to work with us because they know that we will come to them from a place of empathy, said Alison. My friends were asking questions that I didnt have the answers to, but I got better with time and more practice. 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. Veronica has dedicated her career to supporting founders who work to democratize access to a better life, and her unique perspective is informed by 10 years of experience as a strategy consultant, founder, and investor. Alison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. 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. Ms. Williamss other business activities include fashion lines, entertainment deals and a seat on the board of Poshmark. Alison: Skincare. But as Serena Ventures is proving, it doesnt have to be this way. The funds limited partners include Norwest Venture Partners, Capital G (Alphabets growth fund) and LionTree. Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. targeting: { 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. 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. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. That fact naturally attracts diverse deal flow, because founders identify with the investment team and see Serena Ventures as a safe place to share their vision. 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 You can find her on Twitter. Dan posted a congratulations tweet in August 2022 as she represented the company in the New York Stock Exchange. 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. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. That was about four years ago, when Williams hired Alison Rapaport Stillman as general partner and they began building a teamwhich just happens to be all women. My fianc and I have had her for about two months. 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 is led by world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist Serena Williams, and Alison Rapaport Stillman, who has previously worked at J.P. Morgan, Wasserman, and Melo7Tech Partners. pos: 'right_rail_1', Stillman said it's especially important for founders to be self-aware enough to know when they need to hire employees. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. aid: '782078', Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014. Serena Ventures is led by world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist Serena Williams, and Alison Rapaport Stillman, who has previously worked at J.P. Morgan, Wasserman, and Melo7Tech Partners. About 10 to 20% of pitches receive a follow-up from the firm. he wrote. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Emma posted their first picture online on Valentine's in 2020. It's not the only thing." Dan Rapaport girlfriend Emma Light is engaged in October 2021. Serena Williams founded Serena Ventures in 2014. It receives about 200 pitches there a week, and Stillman said they read each one. Dana: Fill in the blank: I wouldnt get through quarantine without. tude.cmd.push(function() { Sales Partnership Solutions After graduating from Harvard, Alison joined the Jefferies & Company as an banking analyst in June 2009. Not surprisingly, thats a big reason why women and entrepreneurs of color struggle to access venture funding. We had great chemistry on that call. Dog mom . At the start of February 2022, Emma and Dan travelled to Hualalai, Kona, in Hawaii. There is no recent news or activity for this profile. Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. So I spent the week practicing my pitch with friends. General Partner Alison Rapaport Stillman, who majored in finance and operations at Wharton as an undergrad, has said people have finally realized that inequity exists in all aspects of life. When I met my husband, that was our first conversation. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. Management subcat: '', That is exactly what we are going to talk about in this article. Their most recent diversity investment was on December 5, 2020, when Kiira Health raised. Williams was heavily involved in her firms decision-making process well before she announced her retirement. She eventually widened the criteria and today Serena Ventures will fund anyone with a good idea. Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. aid: '782078', Alison: Im excited about the refocus on the home. However, we need to acknowledge there is a problem and strive to fix it. Just to be clear, you dont have to be a person of color or a woman to be in our fund, Williams says. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Investing in people who look like you eventually leads to systemic exclusion. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/business/serena-williams-venture-fund.html. Onstage at an event, Ms. Seidman-Becker said less than 2 percent of venture money went to women. As an angel investor, you can only do so much, the world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist told BLACK ENTERPRISE exclusively. Dan and Emma strolled in the streets near Three Lakes, Wisconsin, in September 2020 with Bud. The founder should find people with experience or a particular skill set to offer advice to prepare them for the ups and downs. Dog mom . Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. Accelerating the success of female founders and funders to build a more prosperous, equitable future. "We know that what you're selling us at the pre-seed or seed probably isn't going to look like what the Series B investor sees at some level," she said. Marc and Sheri Huttner Rapaport are the proud parents of Dan Rapaport who raised him in the serene setting of Los Angeles. Those include "business opportunity, founder fit, business model, and mission alignment," she told Insider by email. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. Suddenly, she found herself learning about trading cards, trying to understand the market and find opportunities. Yet, because of the areas they want to serve, Alison says they still naturally fund women, Black and Latinx founders. To raise a child it takes a village. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. She is a CFA charterholder and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School. The tennis stars firm, Serena Ventures, will invest in founders with diverse points of view. 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. It has been fun to watch creative people in that setting because Im not a creative person. Her Instagram feed is overflowing with many images capturing the cherished moments of their romantic love life. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. The golf guy at Barstool Sports currently lives a serene life with his fiance Emma in the radiant metropolis of Brooklyn, New York. Serena Ventures doesnt require that its founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, though it says about three-quarters of its portfolio company founders do. 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. General Partner Alison Rapaport Stillman, who majored in finance and operations at Wharton as an undergrad, has said people have finally realized that inequity exists in all aspects of life. I dont gamble. Marc started his job in 1983 as a banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. page_type: 'article', Alison: I took my first call with Serena from a bridal store while trying on bridesmaid dresses for a friends wedding. When Serena Williams announced her retirement earlier this month, there was plenty of talk of the tennis superstars 23 Grand Slam titles. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 Dan and Emma enjoying photogenic landscape in Snowmass Village, Colorado, July 2021 ( Source : instagram ). Thats my job, to make the unfamiliar familiar she said. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. The best way to submit a pitch to Serena Ventures is through the contact form on the firm's website. The company is their baby! Thats a great way to get people to pitch to you who otherwise might not try, said Alison. Produces a new generation of meats and cheeses made entirely from plants. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. Lets just be honest, you know I couldnt just say Oh Im going to do this and have fun with it. Dan Rapaport father Marc Rapaport is a real estate agent from Los Angeles. Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. She makes you feel comfortable, as if youre not talking to the greatest athlete of all time. In hindsight, I did not need to worry about the other people who barely thought of me. I recently had to question a founder at a company because they were building a product for women and did not have any female or non-white representation at the executive level. 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. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Sells personal care, food, and household goods products under the Brandless brand. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. cat: 'entrepreneurship', Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. 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. To conclude, Serena Ventures will continue to invest in companies that embrace diverse leadership, individual empowerment, creativity, and opportunity and achieve its goal of making a difference. Business partners. It can be as simple as making products more affordable or accessible. Business partners. Besides, the one thing the golf star has in common with his fiance is their hunger for adventure and travel. As Analyst, Ashel assists with sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support initiatives at Serena Ventures. I thought Id work in banking, then work as an associate and go to business school, but my best work has happened when I have hopped off the conveyor belt and took a risk. 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. This post was written in collaboration withAsif Yahiya Sukri LLP. We want to make sure that we dont necessarily neatly check a box. "It's hard. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. subcat: '', August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. When Serena Williams first launched the firm, she explicitly wanted to provide funding for more women. The natural beauty of the world around the island struck them. This isnt new for me, she says. 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. Abena: What advice would you give your younger self? The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Her firm, Serena Ventures, is an active angel investor with a portfolio of 60 companies. In March, Serena Ventures announced it had raised an inaugural fund of $111 million from outside investors including Alphabet, Norwest, LionTree, and Kapor Center. Every quarter, the team brainstorms sectors it wants to dive deeper into. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Investors claiming they cant find opportunities to invest in women and founders of color probably arent trying hard enough, said Alison. 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? We cant resort to a theater allyship, you have to do the work write the checks and make the hires. So why cant a man learn about tampons? Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) Contact As a result, they were able to provide for their children. Alison Stillman's peers at other companies are Ariane Rocha, Margaret Ursua, Marine Casiez, Joseph Eazyway, Janice Patriarca, David Guthery, Karen Chapman, John Stafford. The pair had unforgettable intimate moments in a cold, chilly environment in the woods near a lake. Review address history and property records. Im more on the analytical side, the portfolio-construction side. 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. But a number of news outlets also noted her involvement in early-stage investing and the key role played by Serena Ventures General Partner Alison Rapaport Stillman (MBA 2018), who joined forces with Williams in 2018. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments.
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