alison rapaport stillman

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. 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. "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. Doubles Partner - Alumni - Harvard Business School When Serena Williams first launched the firm, she explicitly wanted to provide funding for more women. 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. 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. 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. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner, Alison's role is Manager: Owner & Partner, Partner. Kyra is the Operations Manager for Serena Ventures where she oversees the day-to-day operations for the team and helps manage LPs, Portfolio Founders, and prospective investment companies. Alison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. env: 'prod', div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Furthermore, he is also one of the founding members of a top soccer league in the US, Major League Soccer (MLS). Delivers pre-prepped, frozen, healthy cuisine to your door. The founder should find people with experience or a particular skill set to offer advice to prepare them for the ups and downs. 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. Alison: Dont get bangs it is not worth it! div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', There is no recent news or activity for this profile. Marc co-founded Jefferies and Co., where he toiled as director and executive vice chairperson from 1990 to 1995. According to her Linkedin profile, Alison is a financial expert and analyst whose job is to provide vast arrays of specualtions and predictions of the money market and help the company accordingly. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) ]); She comes to Serena Ventures from Equitable Advisors, where she worked as an Investment Operations Specialist. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. aid: '782078', It is not us versus them. While interviewing for jobs, she was the only person who I felt would empower me to succeed. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. We made our founders feel like we are partners who can help them grow, she said. 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. Rapaport Stillman Dan posted a congratulations tweet in August 2022 as she represented the company in the New York Stock Exchange. Plenty of its portfolio companies come from Silicon Valley, but two of its most recent investments came from North Carolina and Wisconsin. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley), This describes the type of investor the person is (e.g. As Analyst, Ashel assists with sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support initiatives at Serena Ventures. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', 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. Thanks for being part of ours! Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. 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. Work | OWG Those include "business opportunity, founder fit, business model, and mission alignment," she told Insider by email. We really believe that we can make the most by finding companies that solve bigger consumer problems, especially for people who have been ignored by the traditional players in the game.. ]); 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. As a world-class athlete, businesswoman, philanthropist and mother, Serena Williams knows what it takes to win. Abena Anim-Somuah: Tell us how you met Serena and what drew you to work with her? 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. Zola founder Shan-Lyn Ma adds co-CEO Rachel Jarrett | Fortune cnx.cmd.push(function() { divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', How to Land an Investment From Serena Williams' VC Firm 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 Alison J Rapaport Stillman "You want to do something that's going to make it easy for us to understand your business," Stillman said. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. tude.cmd.push(function() { She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. Alison Rapaport Stillman That fact naturally attracts diverse deal flow, because founders identify with the investment team and see Serena Ventures as a safe place to share their vision. This post is intended solely for general informational or educational purposes only. aid: '782078', Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. Alison Rapaport Stillman The two lovebirds had a great time ice skating in Snowmass Village, Colorado. Serena Ventures Built a Portfolio With We understand that what we see in the pitch deck is not what the product will look like later, and the product will go through a hundred iterations before it is out in the wild. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dan took to Instagram to post a picture of the two as they flaunt the ring from a resort rooftop in Friday Harbor, Washington. 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." Stillman said it's especially important for founders to be self-aware enough to know when they need to hire employees. Most notably, she helped launch the African Leadership University, named one of Africas most innovative companies in 2016 by Fast Company, and founded Black Women in Venture Capital, a community of over 200 Black women in venture capital who envision an equitable VC system. Serena Williams in Hollywood in November. Amongst the portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of the founders are women or people of color. Dan Rapaport father Marc Rapaport is a real estate agent from Los Angeles. Abena: What traits stand out to you in a founding team? We also want to see a founder who is self-aware. However, just like in tennis, Serena does not believe in following the herd mentality while taking on investments. Dan and Marc enjoying golf during dusk in Cabot Cliffs, July 2019 ( Source : instagram ). 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. Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. 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. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. Venture Capital Investing: What It Is and Where Its Headed It's your baby. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. He has been in the industry for four decades. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. SERENA VENTURES. Pavan is an Associate at Serena Ventures where he researches market trends, dives into emerging sectors, and sources new investment opportunities. 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. Entrepreneurs Summit 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. Thats my job, to make the unfamiliar familiar she said. Black Men XCEL Thats how we met. Serena Williams co-investor shares what comes next for the They make strategic decisions, manage finances and develop business plans. For fans of Williams, this year's US Open was likely a bittersweet moment. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. This is something Ive been doing for a really, really, really long time and its something that I absolutely love and Im super passionate about., Despite her busy schedule, Williams spends six or seven hours a day on her investing work: I love looking at new companies, I love talking to founders, I absolutely love passing on the knowledge that Ive been able to get and being able to impact other people.. "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. The team also scores each prospective investment that makes it past the introductory rounds. Its time we all play on the same court. Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? pos: 'right_rail_2', Sells personal care, food, and household goods products under the Brandless brand. 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 Alison Rapaport: I never thought Id pursue a career in venture. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. Alison Rapaport Stillman She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. At the end of the day, Alison says VCs have a responsibility to change the way they do things and see new ideas and perspectives on markets. Serena Ventures Built a Portfolio With With Sheri and Marc's established careers, the Full Swing star enjoyed a secure upbringing and affluent lifestyle during childhood. About 10 to 20% of pitches receive a follow-up from the firm. Alison Rapaport Stillman How to Land an Investment From Serena Williams' VC Firm WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/business/serena-williams-venture-fund.html. ]); Serena Williams raises $111 million for new venture fund. 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 investments include MasterClass, Andela, Mayvenn, Tonal and Noom, to name a few. The pair had unforgettable intimate moments in a cold, chilly environment in the woods near a lake. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', View select TechCrunch Disrupt content online today But as Serena Ventures is proving, it doesnt have to be this way. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Rapaport Alison: Im excited about the refocus on the home. 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. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. In a December 2020 interview with the HBS Alumni Bulletin, Stillman describes the duos skill sets as different and super complementary. Nacho lover Rapaport Stillman Many recommendations they now get come from current portfolio companies. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. We also think about products that are creative, fun, and make life more enjoyable. With my little experience in venture, I knew that I had to go in prepared and used all of my resources to get ready. 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 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. "A Serena Ventures company is gritty, mission-oriented, and pushing boundaries," she said. WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. Ms. Williamss other business activities include fashion lines, entertainment deals and a seat on the board of Poshmark. Serena Ventures Built a Portfolio With tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Williams was heavily involved in her firms decision-making process well before she announced her retirement. Besides, Marc stars in the new Netflix docu-series about the PGA golf tour, "Full Swing," which premiered on February 15, 2023. That includes looking at digital learning as a supplement and a way to attack inequities in traditional education systems. When it comes to our team, thats what everyone is on board for and theyre really excited to help founders have an opportunity that they probably wouldnt have had before., The firms approach is to build a more inclusive future by investing in overlooked, underestimated, and fledgling markets.. Besides, they have a pet dog named Bud, who has also been featured in most of her uploads. I spent my teenage and college years trying to be liked and now I talk to three people from my high school. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. And also, its very authentic. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. Serena Ventures doesnt require that its founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, though it says about three-quarters of its portfolio company founders do. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Serena Ventures most notable exits include The Wing and OLLY. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. She eventually widened the criteria and today Serena Ventures will fund anyone with a good idea. Founders should send a deck with their pitch even if it's just a "teaser deck." Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. aid: '782078', As an angel investor, you can only do so much, the world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist told BLACK ENTERPRISE exclusively. Alison Stillman The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). 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. Suddenly, she found herself learning about trading cards, trying to understand the market and find opportunities. They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. Having dabbled in almost everything from marketing to accounting, her intellectual athleticism makes her excited about exploring new sectors and industries. Alison Rapaport Stillman The same goes for actor Michael Rapaport. Registry of Corporate Directors. Rapaport Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. Review address history and property records. Moreover, in May 2021, the two soulmates looked chic as they attended their friend's wedding in Wailea-Makena. Alison's role is Manager: In March, Serena Ventures announced it had raised an inaugural fund of $111 million from outside investors including Alphabet, Norwest, LionTree, and Kapor Center. I want to highlight that we do not invest in women and people of color to simply check a box. Alison: Skincare. Business partners. Every company that we invest in isnt meant for Alison Rapaport Stillman and I know that, she said. targeting: { Serena Ventures - The Serena Williams-backed VC Fund Williams understands firsthand the plight of founders of color. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. "It's a helpful tool for us. Financial services for what Stillman called the "unbanked and underbanked" and women's health companies have always ranked high on its list. Zola founder Shan-Lyn Ma adds co-CEO Rachel Jarrett | Fortune It helps that Serena Ventures has a diverse team led by women. She is a student at Princeton University in the School of Public and International Affairs with Minors in Entrepreneurship and Urban Studies. Ive watched all of Face Off, a show where people go head-to-head with special effects and makeup. 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. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. 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. 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. The stats about the fund received by black women entrepreneurs in the recent years highlights the problem. They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. Alison's role is Manager: For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. 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. 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. Abena Anim-Somuah is a contributing writer at All Raise. As she learned more about the world of funding, Williams was shocked by the inequities. pos: 'right_rail_3', BE 100s Rapaport Review address history and property records. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. That includes companies that focus on issues from mobility to menopause to deathtech, Stillman said. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. cat: 'entrepreneurship', Serena Ventures - The Financial Pandora Below, Stillman explains how the firm evaluates prospective investments and what makes the winners stand out. I feel like I go to sleep getting messages from her and wake up getting messages from her, Rapaport told Fortune. 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. A week later, she asked me to come to her house and present some ideas to her. When she is not working on the Business Development team at Ada Support, she is avidly baking and elevating Black culinary creatives on Instagram , listening to a podcast, or digging into a good book. 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? Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Dan popped the question to Emma in Friday Harbor, Washington in October 2021 ( Source : instagram ). Dog mom . playerId: '783ef340-6832-4112-80cd-0e5f57b51915' In October 2020, the duo enjoyed a family lunch with their parents at a cosy restaurant in LA, California. Then to further intensify her business knowledge, she attended Harvard Buisness School in Boston, Massachusetts. Try not to control everything. Marc inspired him to pursue a career in golf at the age of 4 as Dan grew up with a sister. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) Sign up for notifications from Insider! Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. Allows traders to buy and sell bitcoin in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. 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 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. pos: 'right_rail_1', A founder should hire a team around themselves and hire for what they are not. It is important to us that the founder has a personal connection to the problem and is uniquely positioned to solve it. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Im the most non-taking-a-chance kind of a person, but I felt like a seed was where we wanted to be.. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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. According to Zola, Dan and his future wife Emma have set their wedding date for June 10, 2023, in the scenic landscape of Chicago. Venture Capital Investing: What It Is and Where Its Headed Were working on a mission that is bigger than any one of us and that makes me feel excited to do my job. 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. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Olivia launched her first startup, SevenSkin Beauty, a skincare company that combines science with technology and education. 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. Subscribe to Newsletter 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. You can also reach out to them oninfo@aysasia.com, Your email address will not be published.