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. It is not us versus them. ]); } 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. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. He supports all aspects of existing deals through analysis, market research, competitive landscapes, financial modeling, and deal structuring. Delivers pre-prepped, frozen, healthy cuisine to your door. It receives about 200 pitches there a week, and Stillman said they read each one. 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. It helps that Serena Ventures has a diverse team led by women. Allows traders to buy and sell bitcoin in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Television. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. INFORMATION Looking at the VC industry more broadly, Alison doesnt see a diverse pipeline problem, but a networking issue. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. 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. She has brought so much joy to our family and is a living reminder that there is a world beyond my screen. My friends were asking questions that I didnt have the answers to, but I got better with time and more practice. Still, 76% of Serena Ventures portfolio founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. Thanks for being part of ours! In a December 2020 interview with the HBS Alumni Bulletin, Stillman describes the duos skill sets as different and super complementary. Their most recent acquisition was on May 27, 2021, when Infinite Objects raised $6M.Serena Ventures has made 21 diversity investments. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Ultimately, Stillman believes that a Serena Ventures company is defined by three qualities. With my little experience in venture, I knew that I had to go in prepared and used all of my resources to get ready. WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. env: 'prod', Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. Take trading cards, something Alison has never cared aboutthat is until alternative assets boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014. When Im serving, I dont serve at 98%. Investors claiming they cant find opportunities to invest in women and founders of color probably arent trying hard enough, said Alison. tude.cmd.push(function() { Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. Another way Alison recommends sourcing diverse deal flow is by not requiring a warm intro. 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 ). Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley), This describes the type of investor the person is (e.g. The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_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. 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); "It's a helpful tool for us. 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. It also helps that a byproduct of working with diverse entrepreneurs is that it leads to a more diverse deal flow. subcat: '', Thus, Marc bought Dan a golf set on his fourth birthday. To raise a child it takes a village. 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. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Right now, the firm is excited about companies that address aging. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner, Alison's role is Manager: Owner & Partner, Partner. 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. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. Dan popped the question to Emma in Friday Harbor, Washington in October 2021 ( Source : instagram ). August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. As an angel investor, you can only do so much, the world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist told BLACK ENTERPRISE exclusively. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { The scorecard helps the firm remain objective in its evaluation process. Having dabbled in almost everything from marketing to accounting, her intellectual athleticism makes her excited about exploring new sectors and industries. SERENA VENTURES. } page_type: 'article', 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. Dan often goes golfing with Marc where as Sheri stays as home waiting for them ( Source : instagram ). Europe, Menlo Park, China), Where the person is located (e.g. Nacho lover Alison Rapaport: I never thought Id pursue a career in venture. Black Men XCEL 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. That includes looking at digital learning as a supplement and a way to attack inequities in traditional education systems. 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. Sculptwear is an alternative to traditional shapewear that gives a smooth and tucked-in look under clothing. And the only way to change those numbers was to be the person writing the big checks.. and its affiliates (collectively 500 Startups) makes no representation as to the accuracy or information in this post and while reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the information herein is accurate and up-to-date, no liability can be accepted for any error or omissions. A week later, she asked me to come to her house and present some ideas to her. ', Just like on the court, Williams is all about performance: I really wanted to spend time in creating something for that very reason, so when questions are asked its like, not only do we have answers, but we have exits and we have unicorns. We also want to see a founder who is self-aware. This isnt new for me, she says. 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. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Olivia launched her first startup, SevenSkin Beauty, a skincare company that combines science with technology and education. 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. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. She is so much more than just the worlds best tennis player. She first worked as an advisory and sales analyst before getting promoted to investment specialist for the company. The company is their baby! Stay up to date with what you want to know. Alison Stillman's job functions are Entrepreneurship, Operations, Alison Stillman's LinkedIn profile can be found at, https://linkedin.com/in/aliso***illman-cfa***. 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. The couple had been to many beautiful locations throughout the globe, the nuances of which Emma has captured in photographs. You can find her on Twitter. 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. Serena Ventures' portfolio companies span a variety of industries, but Stillman said there were a few areas it had always been interested in. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. She can get an amazing read on a person and see the big picture really quickly, whereas it takes me longer. Registry of Corporate Directors. 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. Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Yet, because of the areas they want to serve, Alison says they still naturally fund women, Black and Latinx founders. 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. She is also disarmingly authentic. aid: '782078', Alison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Below, Stillman explains how the firm evaluates prospective investments and what makes the winners stand out. Lets just be honest, you know I couldnt just say Oh Im going to do this and have fun with it. Review address history and property records. playerId: '783ef340-6832-4112-80cd-0e5f57b51915' According to the National Venture Capital Association data, only 4% of the people who work in venture capital are Black. Emma posted their first picture online on Valentine's in 2020. Even with her success and her privilege, she knows shes held to a different standard as a Black woman. Serena Ventures. But it is important to have a founder who can be self-aware, handle feedback, and build a team to help them be successful. You just naturally wake up and you say, like, wow, 70% of my founders are women.. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/business/serena-williams-venture-fund.html. Every company that we invest in isnt meant for Alison Rapaport Stillman and I know that, she said. 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. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. "A Serena Ventures company is gritty, mission-oriented, and pushing boundaries," she said. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. "I am one proud little brother!!" Dan with Alison, Robyn, Marc and Sheri celebrates Marc's birthday in Hawaii, February 2022 ( Source : instagram ). 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. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. "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. 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. Have a great Thursday. A founder should hire a team around themselves and hire for what they are not. Then to further intensify her business knowledge, she attended Harvard Buisness School in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Dan Rapaport dad Marc works in real estate and serves as the head of Thorofare Capital, a mercantile real estate pawnbroker entity. She comes to Serena Ventures from Equitable Advisors, where she worked as an Investment Operations Specialist. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. 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 Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 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. Zoe is the best decision that we have made in quarantine. Stillman said long emails and 10-page business plans, on the other hand, were not welcome. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', We think its important to look beyond where traditional venture is focusing because there are a ton of opportunities that theyre not funding products and services for, said Alison. Abena Anim-Somuah: Tell us how you met Serena and what drew you to work with her? When Serena Williams announced her retirement earlier this month, there was plenty of talk of the tennis superstars 23 Grand Slam titles. After graduating from Brentwood school, Alison studied psychology for a while before enrolling at the Wharton School. Partner @Serenaventures. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. 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.". She earned Bachelor of Science degree in Finance & Operations from the campus. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. Weve made some investments in the food and beverage space but are interested in the holistic wellness space as well. Wharton School, with a Bachelor of Science in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Operations & Information Management and a minor in Psychology. Marc inspired him to pursue a career in golf at the age of 4 as Dan grew up with a sister. To raise a child it takes a village. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. Accelerating the success of female founders and funders to build a more prosperous, equitable future. 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. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. That includes looking at digital learning as a supplement and a way to attack inequities in traditional education systems. Have a great Thursday. With Sheri and Marc's established careers, the Full Swing star enjoyed a secure upbringing and affluent lifestyle during childhood. Serena Ventures most notable exits include The Wing and OLLY. SistersInc. page_type: 'article', Thats how we met. ]); subcat: '', There is no recent news or activity for this profile. We are focusing not just on the people, but on the market. The founder should find people with experience or a particular skill set to offer advice to prepare them for the ups and downs. Review address history and property records. 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. Besides, they have a pet dog named Bud, who has also been featured in most of her uploads. Plenty of its portfolio companies come from Silicon Valley, but two of its most recent investments came from North Carolina and Wisconsin. 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. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. We have been trying to do this for a long time and Im excited to see the current momentum. Plenty of its portfolio companies come from Silicon Valley, but two of its most recent investments came from North Carolina and Wisconsin. The move underscores 500 Globals multi-stage initiatives. Another important factor is making sure that a founder is coachable. 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 edtech startup helping students prepare for AP exams by offering free online resources. Management kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. We invest in diverse teams because we stand by the belief that diverse leadership and diverse thoughts have the best returns, both financially and socially. 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. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. Serena Ventures investments include MasterClass, Andela, Mayvenn, Tonal and Noom, to name a few. To raise a child it takes a village. Her firm, Serena Ventures, is an active angel investor with a portfolio of 60 companies. 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. In October 2020, the duo enjoyed a family lunch with their parents at a cosy restaurant in LA, California. 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. he wrote. 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. 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. They are innovators who understand what goes into building companies. This post was written in collaboration withAsif Yahiya Sukri LLP. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. The best way to submit a pitch to Serena Ventures is through the contact form on the firm's website. pos: 'right_rail_1', 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. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. They want to work with us because they know that we will come to them from a place of empathy, said Alison. 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. Dana Iverson: What got you into venture, and what is keeping you here? Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, finding companies that solve bigger consumer problems. Ms. Rapaport Stillman previously worked at JPMorgan, Wasserman and Melo7 Tech. When I eventually presented the pitches to Serena, she asked the same questions that I had worked to prepare for. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', The views expressed herein are as at the date of this summary and are subject to change without notice. Serena Ventures doesnt require that its founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, though it says about three-quarters of its portfolio company founders do. } 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. 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 partner Alison Rapaport Stillman finds that VCs still ignore products and services made for audiences theyre not familiar with, even those representing massive markets. Im the most non-taking-a-chance kind of a person, but I felt like a seed was where we wanted to be.. }); EVENTS They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. Insider chatted with Stillman about how to land a spot in the Serena Ventures portfolio. Try not to control everything. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. ABOUT BE 100s 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. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. pos: 'right_rail_3', }).render('5eec50a0f683429ca3814da74bd486aa'); The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. env: 'prod', Dan and Michael are unrelated and has never even talked to each other. So why cant a man learn about tampons? My fianc and I have had her for about two months. 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. cnx.cmd.push(function() { Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. This post is intended solely for general informational or educational purposes only. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? tude.cmd.push(function() { In early August, the 23-time Grand Slam champion wrote in an essay for Vogue that she would be retiring from tennis. In March, Serena Ventures announced it had raised an inaugural fund of $111 million from outside investors including Alphabet, Norwest, LionTree, and Kapor Center. Anyone can read what you share. 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. Besides, the one thing the golf star has in common with his fiance is their hunger for adventure and travel. So I spent the week practicing my pitch with friends. The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). 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. subcat: '', Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. Stillman said it's especially important for founders to be self-aware enough to know when they need to hire employees. Its incredible working with founders to help them solve everyday problems as well as find new companies along the way. There are so many things that keep me in venture. According to Zola, Dan and his future wife Emma have set their wedding date for June 10, 2023, in the scenic landscape of Chicago. Even though Marc frequently played golf with Dan, it wasn't until August 2020 that his father attended one of his games at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in New York and watched him as an audience. Since 2014, Serena Ventures has championed founders whose perspectives and innovations level the playing field for women and people of color. pos: 'right_rail_2', He worked for numerous organisations in various positions, including manager, director, and executive. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. That is exactly what we are going to talk about in this article. Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. 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. Marc and Sheri Huttner Rapaport are the proud parents of Dan Rapaport who raised him in the serene setting of Los Angeles. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman, Serena Ventures. Those include "business opportunity, founder fit, business model, and mission alignment," she told Insider by email. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. Amongst the portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of the founders are women or people of color. Have a great Thursday. 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.. Like, look at what we have done.. Serena is such a smart and driven person. Either Stillman, Williams, or another member of the firm's six-person team will schedule an introductory call with the founder. We made our founders feel like we are partners who can help them grow, she said. 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." 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? Dana: Fill in the blank: I wouldnt get through quarantine without. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Dan Rapaport girlfriend Emma Light is engaged in October 2021. 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. 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.

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