Required fields are marked *. Besides, Marc stars in the new Netflix docu-series about the PGA golf tour, "Full Swing," which premiered on February 15, 2023. However, we need to acknowledge there is a problem and strive to fix it. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. A sample of the funds investments includes the following: Offers body products and shaving supplies at a fair price, without the pink tax. I feel like I go to sleep getting messages from her and wake up getting messages from her, Rapaport told Fortune. Wharton School, with a Bachelor of Science in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Operations & Information Management and a minor in Psychology. Alison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Sales Partnership Solutions Investors claiming they cant find opportunities to invest in women and founders of color probably arent trying hard enough, said Alison. Alison: 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. } Another important factor is making sure that a founder is coachable. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. ]); It receives about 200 pitches there a week, and Stillman said they read each one. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of My fianc and I have had her for about two months. 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. I dont jump off buildings. 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. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. Dan popped the question to Emma in Friday Harbor, Washington in October 2021 ( Source : instagram ). 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. he wrote. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. Under no circumstances should any content in this post be construed as investment, legal, tax or accounting advice by 500 Startups, or an offer to sell or solicitation of interest to purchase any securities advised by 500 Startups. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? 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 Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. It has been fun to watch creative people in that setting because Im not a creative person. Still, 76% of Serena Ventures portfolio founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. cnx({ aid: '782078', Alison's role is Manager: The funds limited partners include Norwest Venture Partners, Capital G (Alphabets growth fund) and LionTree. Among its portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of founders are people of color. She is currently on a gap-year and works on the Public Policy and Business Development Team at Tesla. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. 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. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', 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.. About 10 to 20% of pitches receive a follow-up from the firm. I spent my teenage and college years trying to be liked and now I talk to three people from my high school. Plenty of its portfolio companies come from Silicon Valley, but two of its most recent investments came from North Carolina and Wisconsin. Its incredible working with founders to help them solve everyday problems as well as find new companies along the way. Dan and Emma enjoying photogenic landscape in Snowmass Village, Colorado, July 2021 ( Source : instagram ). The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. According to Zola, Dan and his future wife Emma have set their wedding date for June 10, 2023, in the scenic landscape of Chicago. And also, its very authentic. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Marc works as a credit approval principal at Thorofare Capital. 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. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of He has been in the industry for four decades. 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. In a December 2020 interview with the HBS Alumni Bulletin, Stillman describes the duos skill sets as different and super complementary. Dan and Michael are unrelated and has never even talked to each other. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. 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. "A Serena Ventures company is gritty, mission-oriented, and pushing boundaries," she said. It is not us versus them. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. I go up to her afterward and asked, Tell me about this 2 percent I know maybe you misspoke, Ms. Williams recounted. And she says, No, its true. And I literally couldnt wrap my mind around the fact that 98 percent of all of this money were talking about billions of dollars goes to one type of individual.. Alison Rapaport: I never thought Id pursue a career in venture. They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. 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. At the start of February 2022, Emma and Dan travelled to Hualalai, Kona, in Hawaii. 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. Its time we all play on the same court. Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. Alison Stillman's peers at other companies are Ariane Rocha, Margaret Ursua, Marine Casiez, Joseph Eazyway, Janice Patriarca, David Guthery, Karen Chapman, John Stafford. Quoting its founder, Serena, I am by no means alone in my mission to build an inclusive venture capital landscape. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. Serena Ventures has a market cap of $14 billion and 29 active investments. That is exactly what we are going to talk about in this article. "The founder can't be doing everything," Stillman said. That makes pitching less intimidating, because it can be difficult to find an introduction on Sand Hill Road, especially if youre not in Silicon Valley. Serena Williams founded Serena Ventures in 2014. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) aid: '782078', She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. Every quarter, the team brainstorms sectors it wants to dive deeper into. Thus, Marc bought Dan a golf set on his fourth birthday. 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. About They make strategic decisions, manage finances and develop business plans. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. The natural beauty of the world around the island struck them. Williams was heavily involved in her firms decision-making process well before she announced her retirement. 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. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. Yet, because of the areas they want to serve, Alison says they still naturally fund women, Black and Latinx founders. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', page_type: 'article', She has persevered to become one of the top tennis players in history with 23 Grand Slam titles. 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. Serena Williams in Hollywood in November. There are so many things that keep me in venture. We are focusing not just on the people, but on the market. 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 meeting led to another and the next thing you know, Im working at Serena Ventures. "I am one proud little brother!!" Last week, amid the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Serena Williams played what were likely the final matches of her tennis career. ', 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. Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. The team also scores each prospective investment that makes it past the introductory rounds. 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. Thats a great way to get people to pitch to you who otherwise might not try, said Alison. When Serena Williams first launched the firm, she explicitly wanted to provide funding for more women. cat: 'entrepreneurship', Stillman said long emails and 10-page business plans, on the other hand, were not welcome. Alison: We invest early in a market and a founder. On that front, Alison advocates working with organizations like BLCK VC or All Raise. And that needs to happen across the board.. A week later, she asked me to come to her house and present some ideas to her. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Alison: Dont get bangs it is not worth it! It also helps that a byproduct of working with diverse entrepreneurs is that it leads to a more diverse deal flow. 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. Registry of Corporate Directors. Alison: I took my first call with Serena from a bridal store while trying on bridesmaid dresses for a friends wedding. 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. 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. Inclusivity is a key factor for us, we analyze all aspects of a business with that lens, including who is on the team, who the target customers are, and what the price points look like. }); !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); targeting: { Try not to control everything. "You want to do something that's going to make it easy for us to understand your business," Stillman said. 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { Dana: Fill in the blank: I wouldnt get through quarantine without. Since then, she and her partner, Alison Rapaport Stillman, have made angel investments in over 60 companies, including the edtech unicorns like MasterClass and consumer-product startups like Billie and Daily Harvest. I legit thought she misspoke because 98% is a huge number, Williams says. Have a great Thursday. Marc started his job in 1983 as a banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Ms. Rapaport Stillman previously worked at JPMorgan, Wasserman and Melo7 Tech. With Sheri and Marc's established careers, the Full Swing star enjoyed a secure upbringing and affluent lifestyle during childhood. targeting: { cat: 'entrepreneurship', 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. As a Senior Associate, Veronica sources, conducts diligence, and provides portfolio support at Serena Ventures. One recent investment they made is Fiveable, a woman-led Milwaukie edtech startup helping students prepare for AP exams by offering free online resources. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', 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. This post includes the views and opinions of independent third parties that are not related to or controlled by 500 Startups. 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. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. The scorecard helps the firm remain objective in its evaluation process. } For fans of Williams, this year's US Open was likely a bittersweet moment. 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. San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley), This describes the type of investor the person is (e.g. and this attitude has led to White men receiving an overwhelming majority of venture capital funds. Alison's role is Manager: Her Instagram feed is overflowing with many images capturing the cherished moments of their romantic love life. }).render('5eec50a0f683429ca3814da74bd486aa'); SERENA VENTURES. When Im serving, I dont serve at 98%. The same was kept secret until April 17, 2019, when the tennis star took to Instagram to post about 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. The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. SERENA VENTURES. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General 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. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. 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. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. According to the National Venture Capital Association data, only 4% of the people who work in venture capital are Black. Serena is such a smart and driven person. Stillman said it scored companies in due diligence across a number of metrics. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', Sculptwear is an alternative to traditional shapewear that gives a smooth and tucked-in look under clothing. Moreover, in May 2021, the two soulmates looked chic as they attended their friend's wedding in Wailea-Makena. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. env: 'prod', tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. However, 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. } 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.. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Owners & Partners are responsible for the overall success of the business. When Serena Williams announced her retirement earlier this month, there was plenty of talk of the tennis superstars 23 Grand Slam titles. The food we eat, the space we live in, and the tools we use at home are all getting a second look. Below, Stillman explains how the firm evaluates prospective investments and what makes the winners stand out. She is a student at Princeton University in the School of Public and International Affairs with Minors in Entrepreneurship and Urban Studies. 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. Suddenly, she found herself learning about trading cards, trying to understand the market and find opportunities. Not surprisingly, thats a big reason why women and entrepreneurs of color struggle to access venture funding. To raise a child it takes a village. Television. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Dan Rapaport dad Marc works in real estate and serves as the head of Thorofare Capital, a mercantile real estate pawnbroker entity. 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. Dog mom . 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. Looking at the VC industry more broadly, Alison doesnt see a diverse pipeline problem, but a networking issue. We made our founders feel like we are partners who can help them grow, she said. Anyone can read what you share. Serena Williams raises $111 million for new venture fund. We also want to see a founder who is self-aware. "It's hard. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Women of Power Summit 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. 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. Venture capitalists tend to believe in founders who feel familiar and thereby move forward to fund them. Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. pos: 'right_rail_3', Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. The company is their baby! Financial services for what Stillman called the "unbanked and underbanked" and women's health companies have always ranked high on its list. However, just like in tennis, Serena does not believe in following the herd mentality while taking on investments. Dan Rapaport girlfriend Emma Light is engaged in October 2021. Stay up to date with what you want to know. To raise a child it takes a village. Prospective investors considering an investment into any 500 Startups fund should not consider or construe this content as fund marketing material. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. page_type: 'article', Entrepreneurs Summit Having dabbled in almost everything from marketing to accounting, her intellectual athleticism makes her excited about exploring new sectors and industries. 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. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. Business partners. Tennis superstar Serena Williams has just announced that her venture capital firm,Serena Ventures, has raised $111 million dollars in an inaugural fund. pos: 'right_rail_1', Stillman said it's especially important for founders to be self-aware enough to know when they need to hire employees. Insider chatted with Stillman about how to land a spot in the Serena Ventures portfolio. They are finding new sectors to focus on, such as the rise of online education. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Sign up to stay up to date on global innovation. That includes looking at digital learning as a supplement and a way to attack inequities in traditional education systems. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Allows traders to buy and sell bitcoin in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. 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.. The pair hiked along rugged coastlines, through thick forests admiring all the beauty they witnessed. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', That includes companies that focus on issues from mobility to menopause to deathtech, Stillman said. BE 100s Alison's role is Manager: WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. 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. Nacho lover 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. env: 'prod', baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211

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