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. 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. pos: 'right_rail_2', She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. Alison Stillman has 1+ years experience as Partner. She has brought so much joy to our family and is a living reminder that there is a world beyond my screen. If you have a cold inbound, you can find great opportunities, she says. 500 Startups makes no representations as to or guarantees of specific outcomes from relying on the contents of this post. They make strategic decisions, manage finances and develop business plans. 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. Stillman said long emails and 10-page business plans, on the other hand, were not welcome. subcat: '', The couple had been to many beautiful locations throughout the globe, the nuances of which Emma has captured in photographs. Its incredible working with founders to help them solve everyday problems as well as find new companies along the way. The move underscores 500 Globals multi-stage initiatives. } And the only way to change those numbers was to be the person writing the big checks.. Dan Rapaport father Marc Rapaport is a real estate agent from Los Angeles. Dog mom . Masthead. However, just like in tennis, Serena does not believe in following the herd mentality while taking on investments. Every quarter, the team brainstorms sectors it wants to dive deeper into. 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. }).render('5eec50a0f683429ca3814da74bd486aa'); 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. This mindset allows us to have a broad and holistic approach to invest in FinTech, Wellness, and everything in between. Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. It's your baby. Subscribe to Newsletter 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. 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. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport 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. Im the most non-taking-a-chance kind of a person, but I felt like a seed was where we wanted to be.. The scorecard helps the firm remain objective in its evaluation process. 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. Many recommendations they now get come from current portfolio companies. Its time we all play on the same court. 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 ). A founder should hire a team around themselves and hire for what they are not. Contact WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. 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. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Her partner Alison Rapaport Stillman backs Serena while stating that VCs ignore products and services made for audiences theyre unfamiliar with, even those representing massive markets with loyal customers. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? Either Stillman, Williams, or another member of the firm's six-person team will schedule an introductory call with the founder. ]); You can find her on Twitter. 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. . Registry of Corporate Directors. 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. 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.. 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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. 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. We also think about products that are creative, fun, and make life more enjoyable. Williams was heavily involved in her firms decision-making process well before she announced her retirement. Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. Founders should send a deck with their pitch even if it's just a "teaser deck." The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. She comes to Serena Ventures from Equitable Advisors, where she worked as an Investment Operations Specialist. We do VC differently through standout strategies, bold initiatives, and a global network of investors, business leaders, and influencers. As an angel investor, you can only do so much, the world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist told BLACK ENTERPRISE exclusively. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. Take trading cards, something Alison has never cared aboutthat is until alternative assets boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's a helpful tool for us. 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. We had great chemistry on that call. Thanks for being part of ours! When one thinks of the name Serena Williams, the majority of thoughts flow in the direction of her impeccable tennis career. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Europe, Menlo Park, China), Where the person is located (e.g. 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 Noom and Impossible Foods, among others. ABOUT The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. The golf guy at Barstool Sports currently lives a serene life with his fiance Emma in the radiant metropolis of Brooklyn, New York. She is currently on a gap-year and works on the Public Policy and Business Development Team at Tesla. Like, look at what we have done.. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Last week, amid the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Serena Williams played what were likely the final matches of her tennis career. 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. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. 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 Thus, Marc bought Dan a golf set on his fourth birthday. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman, Serena Ventures. Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. You just naturally wake up and you say, like, wow, 70% of my founders are women.. For fans of Williams, this year's US Open was likely a bittersweet moment. Ive watched all of Face Off, a show where people go head-to-head with special effects and makeup. "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. The best way to submit a pitch to Serena Ventures is through the contact form on the firm's website. Venture capitalists tend to believe in founders who feel familiar and thereby move forward to fund 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. 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. To raise a child it takes a village. Dana: What trends are you excited to see in the world of consumer? But as Serena Ventures is proving, it doesnt have to be this way. 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. Their most recent acquisition was on May 27, 2021, when Infinite Objects raised $6M.Serena Ventures has made 21 diversity investments. Serena Williams in Hollywood in November. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Not surprisingly, thats a big reason why women and entrepreneurs of color struggle to access venture funding. ]); BE 100s Nacho lover 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. Ms. Rapaport Stillman previously worked at JPMorgan, Wasserman and Melo7 Tech. The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. 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. They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. 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. There are so many things that keep me in venture. he wrote. Dan posted a congratulations tweet in August 2022 as she represented the company in the New York Stock Exchange. SERENA VENTURES. } By: Julia Hanna, Demographics-Race-African American, Black, Alumna-Led Reproductive Health Startup Raises $4.7 Million. 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 was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. Weve made some investments in the food and beverage space but are interested in the holistic wellness space as well. 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. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Moreover, in May 2021, the two soulmates looked chic as they attended their friend's wedding in Wailea-Makena. 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. Plenty of its portfolio companies come from Silicon Valley, but two of its most recent investments came from North Carolina and Wisconsin. 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. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. He supports all aspects of existing deals through analysis, market research, competitive landscapes, financial modeling, and deal structuring. 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. It also helps that a byproduct of working with diverse entrepreneurs is that it leads to a more diverse deal flow. 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. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. Below, Stillman explains how the firm evaluates prospective investments and what makes the winners stand out. Their most recent diversity investment was on December 5, 2020, when Kiira Health raised. That includes companies that focus on issues from mobility to menopause to deathtech, Stillman said. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Alison's role is Manager: 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. I want to highlight that we do not invest in women and people of color to simply check a box. The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Suddenly, she found herself learning about trading cards, trying to understand the market and find opportunities. The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). Thats how we met. 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. pos: 'right_rail_3', Abena: What advice would you give your younger self? Dan Rapaport is not related to Ian Rapaport. Partner @Serenaventures. Alisa Gumbs is the executive managing editor of BLACK ENTERPRISE, planning and creating content across the company's print, digital, events, and broadcast platforms. aid: '782078', Ms. Williamss other business activities include fashion lines, entertainment deals and a seat on the board of Poshmark. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. We also want to see a founder who is self-aware. They want to work with us because they know that we will come to them from a place of empathy, said Alison. 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. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. The same goes for actor Michael Rapaport. Financial services for what Stillman called the "unbanked and underbanked" and women's health companies have always ranked high on its list. 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. Management Those include "business opportunity, founder fit, business model, and mission alignment," she told Insider by email. pos: 'right_rail_1', There is no recent news or activity for this profile. But she still finds that VCs ignore products and services made for audiences theyre not familiar with, even those representing massive markets with loyal customers. She earned Bachelor of Science degree in Finance & Operations from the campus. 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 Dan and Marc enjoying golf during dusk in Cabot Cliffs, July 2019 ( Source : instagram ). targeting: { Partner @Serenaventures. 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. A week later, she asked me to come to her house and present some ideas to her. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', William states, Its fun to get in there. The same was kept secret until April 17, 2019, when the tennis star took to Instagram to post about it. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. 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. } For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Serena agrees that there is a social purpose to that decision. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. and this attitude has led to White men receiving an overwhelming majority of venture capital funds. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Another important factor is making sure that a founder is coachable. Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. 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); The natural beauty of the world around the island struck them. I spent my teenage and college years trying to be liked and now I talk to three people from my high school. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. While interviewing for jobs, she was the only person who I felt would empower me to succeed. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. Still, 76% of Serena Ventures portfolio founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. The pair hiked along rugged coastlines, through thick forests admiring all the beauty they witnessed. 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. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) But it is important to have a founder who can be self-aware, handle feedback, and build a team to help them be successful. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. tude.cmd.push(function() { Thats just the way of the land. Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. Amongst the portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of the founders are women or people of color. The two cherished couple, beaming happy in the early morning, enjoyed an excellent breakfast as she held a Veuve Clicquot champagne bottle. She makes you feel comfortable, as if youre not talking to the greatest athlete of all time. Investors claiming they cant find opportunities to invest in women and founders of color probably arent trying hard enough, said Alison. "The founder can't be doing everything," Stillman said. INFORMATION Right now, the firm is excited about companies that address aging. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Tennis superstar Serena Williams has just announced that her venture capital firm,Serena Ventures, has raised $111 million dollars in an inaugural fund. Alison Rapaport: I never thought Id pursue a career in venture. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). Marc co-founded Jefferies and Co., where he toiled as director and executive vice chairperson from 1990 to 1995. 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. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. 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 Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. I just want people that believe in our mission and that want to be a part of something really amazing. Allows traders to buy and sell bitcoin in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Williams understands firsthand the plight of founders of color. It receives about 200 pitches there a week, and Stillman said they read each one. Emma posted their first picture online on Valentine's in 2020. Alison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. I go up to her afterward and asked, Tell me about this 2 percent I know maybe you misspoke, Ms. Williams recounted. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/business/serena-williams-venture-fund.html. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. She has persevered to become one of the top tennis players in history with 23 Grand Slam titles. Dan and Emma strolled in the streets near Three Lakes, Wisconsin, in September 2020 with Bud. In hindsight, I did not need to worry about the other people who barely thought of me. The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. "I am one proud little brother!!" Have a great Thursday. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', The firm is headquartered in San Francisco Bay Area, West Coast, and the Western US. Thats a great way to get people to pitch to you who otherwise might not try, 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 made our founders feel like we are partners who can help them grow, she said. Dog mom . A team thats all women and from very different backgrounds, we see the world differently. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. 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. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', 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. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. 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. targeting: { } They have scheduled their marriage on June 10, 2023. 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. ', 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. For example, the general contact email on the Serena Ventures website gets between 10 to 40 emails a daymany of these are autograph requests, but they also include pitches from entrepreneurs, which their team does actually consider. We are focusing not just on the people, but on the market. Alison graduated from Harvard Business School in March 2018 ( Source : instagram ). By highlighting this behaviour and offering support, we are drawing awareness to the systemic issues at hand and showing people in the industry how it can be done. cnx.cmd.push(function() { Marc inspired him to pursue a career in golf at the age of 4 as Dan grew up with a sister. 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 env: 'prod', }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] };
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