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Alisa Gumbs is the executive managing editor of BLACK ENTERPRISE, planning and creating content across the company's print, digital, events, and broadcast platforms. 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. 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. Serena Ventures - The Serena Williams-backed VC Fund 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. We dont fit the mold of venture.. How to Land an Investment From Serena Williams' VC Firm 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. 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. NFL insider Ian has a brother named Jake Rapaport. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Stillman Serena Ventures investments include MasterClass, Andela, Mayvenn, Tonal and Noom, to name a few. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. 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. Review address history and property records. That is exactly what we are going to talk about in this article. 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 ). WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Serena Ventures doesnt require that its founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, though it says about three-quarters of its portfolio company founders do. "I am one proud little brother!!" They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. Venture capitalists tend to believe in founders who feel familiar and thereby move forward to fund them. Im more on the analytical side, the portfolio-construction side. Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Serena Ventures - The Financial Pandora baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', This mindset allows us to have a broad and holistic approach to invest in FinTech, Wellness, and everything in between. As a world-class athlete, businesswoman, philanthropist and mother, Serena Williams knows what it takes to win. 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? Serena Williams founded Serena Ventures in 2014. Dog mom . Alison Rapaport } Stillman Alison Stillman Serena Williamss early-stage venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, has raised an inaugural fund of $111 million that will invest in founders with diverse points of view, she told the DealBook newsletter. As an angel investor, you can only do so much, the world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist told BLACK ENTERPRISE exclusively. Register for your account and get started with our industry leading people contacts search engine. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', aid: '782078', She eventually widened the criteria and today Serena Ventures will fund anyone with a good idea. Registry of Corporate Directors. Its incredible working with founders to help them solve everyday problems as well as find new companies along the way. However, we need to acknowledge there is a problem and strive to fix it. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Every company that we invest in isnt meant for Alison Rapaport Stillman and I know that, she said. 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. 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. Alison Rapaport Stillman WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. He then introduced me to Chris Lyons at Andreessen Horowitzs Cultural Leadership Fund, who encouraged me to lean into my skill set to support world-class athletes who would like to get into venture but dont have the investment background. Weve made some investments in the food and beverage space but are interested in the holistic wellness space as well. cat: 'entrepreneurship', url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', "It's a helpful tool for us. Doubles Partner - Alumni - Harvard Business School My friends were asking questions that I didnt have the answers to, but I got better with time and more practice. Serena Ventures - The Serena Williams-backed VC Fund Their most recent acquisition was on May 27, 2021, when Infinite Objects raised $6M.Serena Ventures has made 21 diversity investments. We have been trying to do this for a long time and Im excited to see the current momentum. My path to Serena Ventures started with another sports superstar, ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. 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. Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014. "A Serena Ventures company is gritty, mission-oriented, and pushing boundaries," she said. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. 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. Business partners. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. 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. According to the National Venture Capital Association data, only 4% of the people who work in venture capital are Black. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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. Entrepreneurs Summit About 10 to 20% of pitches receive a follow-up from the firm. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. Either Stillman, Williams, or another member of the firm's six-person team will schedule an introductory call with the founder. cnx({ Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) I was talking about investments. Ms. Williamss husband is the Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Founded in 2014 by tennis legend Serena Williams, Serena Ventures is an early-stage fund that embraces diverse founders and the ideas theyre serving up. Nacho lover Goodwin Women Guide Serena Williams Venture Fund in $111 Serena agrees that there is a social purpose to that decision. Venture Capital Investing: What It Is and Where Its Headed Dan often goes golfing with Marc where as Sheri stays as home waiting for them ( Source : instagram ). In March, Serena Ventures announced it had raised an inaugural fund of $111 million from outside investors including Alphabet, Norwest, LionTree, and Kapor Center. 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. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? env: 'prod', WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. Abena Anim-Somuah: Tell us how you met Serena and what drew you to work with her? I was someone who lived my life to be on a conveyor belt. SERENA VENTURES. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) Not surprisingly, thats a big reason why women and entrepreneurs of color struggle to access venture funding. 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. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. Abena: What traits stand out to you in a founding team? Alison's role is Manager: She is currently on a gap-year and works on the Public Policy and Business Development Team at Tesla. They may not be networked to them, and thats something that you can fix. An obvious solution is building a diverse team and creating internal opportunities for people with non-traditional VC backgrounds, which creates access to those wider networks. Their most recent diversity investment was on December 5, 2020, when Kiira Health raised. For me success is when you dont have to have the quota, said Alison. She earned Bachelor of Science degree in Finance & Operations from the campus. B.E. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. She comes to Serena Ventures from Equitable Advisors, where she worked as an Investment Operations Specialist. The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. 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. Were working on a mission that is bigger than any one of us and that makes me feel excited to do my job. As a result, they were able to provide for their children. One meeting led to another and the next thing you know, Im working at Serena Ventures. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). Right now, the firm is excited about companies that address aging. According to Zola, Dan and his future wife Emma have set their wedding date for June 10, 2023, in the scenic landscape of Chicago. SistersInc. She makes you feel comfortable, as if youre not talking to the greatest athlete of all time. To raise a child it takes a village. We had great chemistry on that call. subcat: '', 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 Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. The two lovebirds had a great time ice skating in Snowmass Village, Colorado. Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. We are focusing not just on the people, but on the market. 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. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Alison J Rapaport Stillman Alison Stillman's peers at other companies are Ariane Rocha, Margaret Ursua, Marine Casiez, Joseph Eazyway, Janice Patriarca, David Guthery, Karen Chapman, John Stafford. Goodwin Women Guide Serena Williams Venture Fund in $111 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. 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. When I eventually presented the pitches to Serena, she asked the same questions that I had worked to prepare for. Alison Rapaport Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. 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 Upon learning that just two percent of funding goes to female founders, Williams made a strategic commitment to diversity and inclusion; today, 78 percent of founders backed by Serena Ventures are women or people of color. Alison: I took my first call with Serena from a bridal store while trying on bridesmaid dresses for a friends wedding. Owners & Partners are responsible for the overall success of the business. Dana Iverson: What got you into venture, and what is keeping you here? She can get an amazing read on a person and see the big picture really quickly, whereas it takes me longer. We do VC differently through standout strategies, bold initiatives, and a global network of investors, business leaders, and influencers. Rapaport Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. Williams first started investing a little over nine years ago because of what she calls a natural draw to technology and a desire to be involved with all of the startups she was seeing pop up in the space. But as Serena Ventures is proving, it doesnt have to be this way. I am excited about companies that are focused on natural ways to get healthier, supporting the postpartum journey, and mental health services for younger women. 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.. 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 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. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. Rapaport The move underscores 500 Globals multi-stage initiatives. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { At the start of February 2022, Emma and Dan travelled to Hualalai, Kona, in Hawaii. Delivers pre-prepped, frozen, healthy cuisine to your door. It receives about 200 pitches there a week, and Stillman said they read each one. subcat: '', To raise a child it takes a village. She is the first athlete ever to hit Forbes list of the Worlds Richest Self-Made Women. The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). 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. Zola founder Shan-Lyn Ma adds co-CEO Rachel Jarrett | Fortune To be successful, though, you have to let go of the reins.". 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. 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. Alison Rapaport Stillman 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. While writing for her CNN Business Perspective column, she mentions the challenges black women entrepreneurs face while raising funds for their startups in the white and male predominant venture capital industry. Alison's role is Manager: By: Julia Hanna, Demographics-Race-African American, Black, Alumna-Led Reproductive Health Startup Raises $4.7 Million. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Zola founder Shan-Lyn Ma adds co-CEO Rachel Jarrett | Fortune Review address history and property records. We made our founders feel like we are partners who can help them grow, she said. Rapaport Stillman Serena Williams' Venture Capital Firm Raises $111 Million Thanks for being part of ours! One recent investment they made is Fiveable, a woman-led Milwaukie edtech startup helping students prepare for AP exams by offering free online resources. Accelerating the success of female founders and funders to build a more prosperous, equitable future. With Sheri and Marc's established careers, the Full Swing star enjoyed a secure upbringing and affluent lifestyle during childhood. So I spent the week practicing my pitch with friends. he wrote. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. 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. Also, invest in a few good people and dont try to please everyone. BE 100s Serena Ventures. A sample of the funds investments includes the following: Offers body products and shaving supplies at a fair price, without the pink tax. Europe, Menlo Park, China), Where the person is located (e.g. Then to further intensify her business knowledge, she attended Harvard Buisness School in Boston, Massachusetts. Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. They want to work with us because they know that we will come to them from a place of empathy, said Alison. Yet, because of the areas they want to serve, Alison says they still naturally fund women, Black and Latinx founders. Below, Stillman explains how the firm evaluates prospective investments and what makes the winners stand out. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. Alison Rapaport Stillman It's not the only thing." Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Dana: Fill in the blank: I wouldnt get through quarantine without. Alison Rapaport Stillman Serena Ventures has made investments in over 30 companies across multiple industries, including Coinbase, Daily Harvest, and Billie to name a few. The firm is headquartered in San Francisco Bay Area, West Coast, and the Western US. Algorithmic rank assigned to the top 100,000 most active Investors, The organization associated to the person's primary job, Where the person is located (e.g. The pair had unforgettable intimate moments in a cold, chilly environment in the woods near a lake. Emma posted their first picture online on Valentine's in 2020. The entire process from pitch to investment can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, Stillman said. So why cant a man learn about tampons? Marc inspired him to pursue a career in golf at the age of 4 as Dan grew up with a sister. Williams was heavily involved in her firms decision-making process well before she announced her retirement. 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); They are finding new sectors to focus on, such as the rise of online education. He supports all aspects of existing deals through analysis, market research, competitive landscapes, financial modeling, and deal structuring. Venture Capital Investing: What It Is and Where Its Headed Rapaport Stillman Founders should send a deck with their pitch even if it's just a "teaser deck." }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); Dana Iverson is a contributing writer at All Raise. It has been fun to watch creative people in that setting because Im not a creative person. Besides, they have a pet dog named Bud, who has also been featured in most of her uploads. Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. The pair hiked along rugged coastlines, through thick forests admiring all the beauty they witnessed. There are so many things that keep me in venture. Partner @Serenaventures. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Serena Ventures - The Financial Pandora William states, Its fun to get in there. When Im serving, I dont serve at 98%. As the famous story goes, I came over with tacos and a binder of pitches. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Moreover, Rapaport is also a former golf writer at Sports Illustrated and a staff writer for Golf Digest. You can also reach out to them oninfo@aysasia.com, Your email address will not be published. Investors claiming they cant find opportunities to invest in women and founders of color probably arent trying hard enough, said Alison. The tennis stars firm, Serena Ventures, will invest in founders with diverse points of view. From an early age, Rapaport began swinging his golf club, and because of this, he has an in-depth knowledge of the ins and outs of the sport. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. The same goes for actor Michael Rapaport. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', WebAlison Rapaport Stillman, Serena Ventures. Alison Stillman 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 Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. Sales Partnership Solutions The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Management In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. Dan Rapaport father Marc Rapaport is a real estate agent from Los Angeles. With a presence in the USA, India and the MENA region, they ensure that all of your financial decisions are made carefully and with your best interests in mind. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. During my time at Harvard Business School, I had the opportunity to work with Melo7 Tech Partners, where I was exposed to the world of VC. My fianc and I have had her for about two months. Ive been watching a lot of reruns of reality shows. She first worked as an advisory and sales analyst before getting promoted to investment specialist for the company. The founder should find people with experience or a particular skill set to offer advice to prepare them for the ups and downs. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. This post includes the views and opinions of independent third parties that are not related to or controlled by 500 Startups. Still, 76% of Serena Ventures portfolio founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Moreover, in May 2021, the two soulmates looked chic as they attended their friend's wedding in Wailea-Makena. 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. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. SV Team | Serena Ventures } A team thats all women and from very different backgrounds, we see the world differently. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. Dan and Michael are unrelated and has never even talked to each other. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', 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.