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Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. He has been in the industry for four decades. Alison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. 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. As Analyst, Ashel assists with sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support initiatives at Serena Ventures. 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. Among its portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of founders are people of color. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. ]); . ]); They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. As a world-class athlete, businesswoman, philanthropist and mother, Serena Williams knows what it takes to win. Their most recent acquisition was on May 27, 2021, when Infinite Objects raised $6M.Serena Ventures has made 21 diversity investments. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. In October 2020, the duo enjoyed a family lunch with their parents at a cosy restaurant in LA, California. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Below, Stillman explains how the firm evaluates prospective investments and what makes the winners stand out. The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). Stillman said long emails and 10-page business plans, on the other hand, were not welcome. I just want people that believe in our mission and that want to be a part of something really amazing. Zoe is the best decision that we have made in quarantine. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. Review address history and property records. When Im serving, I dont serve at 98%. playerId: '783ef340-6832-4112-80cd-0e5f57b51915' That is exactly what we are going to talk about in this article. Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. While both individuals may have similar last names, they are not bonded. The entire process from pitch to investment can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, Stillman said. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', This post was written in collaboration withAsif Yahiya Sukri LLP. 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 By: Julia Hanna, Demographics-Race-African American, Black, Alumna-Led Reproductive Health Startup Raises $4.7 Million. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. I was someone who lived my life to be on a conveyor belt. 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. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. Serena Ventures investments include MasterClass, Andela, Mayvenn, Tonal and Noom, to name a few. Alison: Im excited about the refocus on the home. Many recommendations they now get come from current portfolio companies. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS 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. 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. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? Abena Anim-Somuah: Tell us how you met Serena and what drew you to work with her? Serena Ventures has made investments in over 30 companies across multiple industries, including Coinbase, Daily Harvest, and Billie to name a few. 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. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', }); EVENTS Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Have a great Thursday. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. targeting: { cnx({ }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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. 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. Dana: Fill in the blank: I wouldnt get through quarantine without. He supports all aspects of existing deals through analysis, market research, competitive landscapes, financial modeling, and deal structuring. Accelerating the success of female founders and funders to build a more prosperous, equitable future. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. ]); There are so many things that keep me in venture. Dana Iverson: What got you into venture, and what is keeping you here? Dana: What trends are you excited to see in the world of consumer? About kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Still, 76% of Serena Ventures portfolio founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. Thats how we met. Television. "It's hard. And also, its very authentic. Abena Anim-Somuah is a contributing writer at All Raise. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. Were working on a mission that is bigger than any one of us and that makes me feel excited to do my job. Veronica is a proud Alumna of Howard University and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. We do VC differently through standout strategies, bold initiatives, and a global network of investors, business leaders, and influencers. Ive been watching a lot of reruns of reality shows. They are finding new sectors to focus on, such as the rise of online education. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { They want to work with us because they know that we will come to them from a place of empathy, said Alison. Partner @Serenaventures. Dan Rapaport is not related to Ian Rapaport. She eventually widened the criteria and today Serena Ventures will fund anyone with a good idea. 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 But it is important to have a founder who can be self-aware, handle feedback, and build a team to help them be successful. Their most recent diversity investment was on December 5, 2020, when Kiira Health raised. subcat: '', baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Abena: What advice would you give your younger self? 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. It can be as simple as making products more affordable or accessible. Delivers pre-prepped, frozen, healthy cuisine to your door. Insider chatted with Stillman about how to land a spot in the Serena Ventures portfolio. Register for your account and get started with our industry leading people contacts search engine. Moreover, in May 2021, the two soulmates looked chic as they attended their friend's wedding in Wailea-Makena. 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 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. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 Before starting her stint at Serena Ventures, Stillman worked as a board member at Wasserman for three months and The SpringHill Company for almost three years. 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. Registry of Corporate Directors. 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. Sadly this is why I wanted to build a track record, because, quite frankly I knew that above other people I needed to have something that could speak for itself, she says. The tennis stars firm, Serena Ventures, will invest in founders with diverse points of view. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. It's your baby. The natural beauty of the world around the island struck them. "The founder can't be doing everything," Stillman said. To be successful, though, you have to let go of the reins.". While interviewing for jobs, she was the only person who I felt would empower me to succeed. page_type: 'article', subcat: '', Business partners. Always ready for a new challenge, she started out by asking a lot of questions, then investing in a fund, and then becoming an angel investor. 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. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) "I am one proud little brother!!" San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley), This describes the type of investor the person is (e.g. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. Alison: Skincare. Venture capitalists tend to believe in founders who feel familiar and thereby move forward to fund them. Prospective investors considering an investment into any 500 Startups fund should not consider or construe this content as fund marketing material. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. We also think about products that are creative, fun, and make life more enjoyable. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. I felt that it was an opportunity to combine my skill set with a mission and make a difference. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Serena believes in taking on and nurturing the firms early, which is reflected in the funds investments as three-fourths of the total investment belongs to the seed stage category. 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. targeting: { divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Stay up to date with what you want to know. 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. Weve made some investments in the food and beverage space but are interested in the holistic wellness space as well. Its incredible working with founders to help them solve everyday problems as well as find new companies along the way. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', They are finding new sectors to focus on, such as the rise of online education. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. } A team thats all women and from very different backgrounds, we see the world differently. Business partners. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. In March, Serena Ventures announced it had raised an inaugural fund of $111 million from outside investors including Alphabet, Norwest, LionTree, and Kapor Center. 500 Startups makes no representations as to or guarantees of specific outcomes from relying on the contents of this post. She can get an amazing read on a person and see the big picture really quickly, whereas it takes me longer. 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 They are innovators who understand what goes into building companies. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Marc co-founded Jefferies and Co., where he toiled as director and executive vice chairperson from 1990 to 1995. Ive always been fascinated with technology, and Ive always loved how it really shapes our lives, said Ms. Williams, who has been investing for nine years.