But it is important to have a founder who can be self-aware, handle feedback, and build a team to help them be successful. 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. Dan popped the question to Emma in Friday Harbor, Washington in October 2021 ( Source : instagram ). The pair hiked along rugged coastlines, through thick forests admiring all the beauty they witnessed. 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 ). cat: 'entrepreneurship', The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. env: 'prod', Now, with funding from limited partners including Norwest, CapitalG, Kapor Foundation, and LionTree, among others, Serena Ventures will be able to take its investments to the next level. Women of Power Summit Ultimately, Stillman believes that a Serena Ventures company is defined by three qualities. 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. Stillman said long emails and 10-page business plans, on the other hand, were not welcome. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. Owners & Partners are responsible for the overall success of the business. Have a great Thursday. Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014. Dana Iverson is a contributing writer at All Raise. The two lovebirds had a great time ice skating in Snowmass Village, Colorado. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We also think about products that are creative, fun, and make life more enjoyable. The founder should find people with experience or a particular skill set to offer advice to prepare them for the ups and downs. subcat: '', Nacho lover Besides, Marc stars in the new Netflix docu-series about the PGA golf tour, "Full Swing," which premiered on February 15, 2023. Stay up to date with what you want to know. page_type: 'article', Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. Marc inspired him to pursue a career in golf at the age of 4 as Dan grew up with a sister. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner, Alison's role is Manager: Owner & Partner, Partner. Anyone can read what you share. However, just like in tennis, Serena does not believe in following the herd mentality while taking on investments. 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. Were working on a mission that is bigger than any one of us and that makes me feel excited to do my job. It receives about 200 pitches there a week, and Stillman said they read each one. Stillman said it's especially important for founders to be self-aware enough to know when they need to hire employees. Plenty of its portfolio companies come from Silicon Valley, but two of its most recent investments came from North Carolina and Wisconsin. Abena Anim-Somuah is a contributing writer at All Raise. 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. I want to highlight that we do not invest in women and people of color to simply check a box. Im still able to see the opportunity and help the company grow. Alison: Dont get bangs it is not worth it! Veronica has dedicated her career to supporting founders who work to democratize access to a better life, and her unique perspective is informed by 10 years of experience as a strategy consultant, founder, and investor. Founders should send a deck with their pitch even if it's just a "teaser deck." The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Serena Ventures. Sculptwear is an alternative to traditional shapewear that gives a smooth and tucked-in look under clothing. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. I felt that it was an opportunity to combine my skill set with a mission and make a difference. Alison Stillman has 1+ years experience as Partner. 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. Its been proven that the more diverse your team, the better you do, and companies are now starting to realize that, she says. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. They are innovators who understand what goes into building companies. I dont gamble. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Right now, the firm is excited about companies that address aging. 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. Serena Williamss early-stage venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, has raised an inaugural fund of $111 million that will invest in founders with diverse points of view, she told the DealBook newsletter. 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); url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', My path to Serena Ventures started with another sports superstar, ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. They have scheduled their marriage on June 10, 2023. Since 2014, Serena Ventures has championed founders whose perspectives and innovations level the playing field for women and people of color. To raise a child it takes a village. It also helps that a byproduct of working with diverse entrepreneurs is that it leads to a more diverse deal flow. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Many recommendations they now get come from current portfolio companies. She has brought so much joy to our family and is a living reminder that there is a world beyond my screen. 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. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Entrepreneurs Summit 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. I was someone who lived my life to be on a conveyor belt. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Then to further intensify her business knowledge, she attended Harvard Buisness School in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Some of Alison Stillman's colleagues are Alison Rapaport, Amy Berliner, Kyra Mccarty, Alison Rapapaort, Olivia Griffian, Serena Williams, Jair Bobbitt, Veronica Reaves. Like, look at what we have done.. In March, Serena Ventures announced it had raised an inaugural fund of $111 million from outside investors including Alphabet, Norwest, LionTree, and Kapor Center. 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.. Those include "business opportunity, founder fit, business model, and mission alignment," she told Insider by email. Emma posted their first picture online on Valentine's in 2020. She is a student at Princeton University in the School of Public and International Affairs with Minors in Entrepreneurship and Urban Studies. Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. 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. 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. 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. The views expressed herein are as at the date of this summary and are subject to change without notice. } With Sheri and Marc's established careers, the Full Swing star enjoyed a secure upbringing and affluent lifestyle during childhood. he wrote. A sample of the funds investments includes the following: Offers body products and shaving supplies at a fair price, without the pink tax. While both individuals may have similar last names, they are not bonded. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', 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. 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 Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Olivia launched her first startup, SevenSkin Beauty, a skincare company that combines science with technology and education. 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. In hindsight, I did not need to worry about the other people who barely thought of me. The firm is headquartered in San Francisco Bay Area, West Coast, and the Western US. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of While interviewing for jobs, she was the only person who I felt would empower me to succeed. 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. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. Alison Rapaport: I never thought Id pursue a career in venture. 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. 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. Dan took to Instagram to post a picture of the two as they flaunt the ring from a resort rooftop in Friday Harbor, Washington. Moreover, Rapaport is also a former golf writer at Sports Illustrated and a staff writer for Golf Digest. 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. Thats just the way of the land. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Alisa Gumbs is the executive managing editor of BLACK ENTERPRISE, planning and creating content across the company's print, digital, events, and broadcast platforms. ]); Subscribe to Newsletter 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. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. 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.. 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." WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Their most recent diversity investment was on December 5, 2020, when Kiira Health raised. My fianc and I have had her for about two months. By: Julia Hanna, Demographics-Race-African American, Black, Alumna-Led Reproductive Health Startup Raises $4.7 Million. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) 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. The same was kept secret until April 17, 2019, when the tennis star took to Instagram to post about it. 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. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', 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. Im the most non-taking-a-chance kind of a person, but I felt like a seed was where we wanted to be.. Its time we all play on the same court. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. 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 kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Have a great Thursday. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 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. The same goes for actor Michael Rapaport. The funds limited partners include Norwest Venture Partners, Capital G (Alphabets growth fund) and LionTree. The former Sports Illustrated writer denied any connection with Ian via a Reddit post in 2018. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. The best way to submit a pitch to Serena Ventures is through the contact form on the firm's website. I was talking about investments. Ms. Williamss husband is the Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. A week later, she asked me to come to her house and present some ideas to her. In early August, the 23-time Grand Slam champion wrote in an essay for Vogue that she would be retiring from tennis. The tennis stars firm, Serena Ventures, will invest in founders with diverse points of view. env: 'prod', 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. 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. 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. Amongst the portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of the founders are women or people of color. 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. Yet, because of the areas they want to serve, Alison says they still naturally fund women, Black and Latinx founders. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. Zoe is the best decision that we have made in quarantine. Business partners. She is also disarmingly authentic. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 SERENA VENTURES. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. Ms. Williamss other business activities include fashion lines, entertainment deals and a seat on the board of Poshmark. aid: '782078', Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. Dan Rapaport father Marc Rapaport is a real estate agent from Los Angeles. Try not to control everything. Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. }); EVENTS Dan and Marc enjoying golf during dusk in Cabot Cliffs, July 2019 ( Source : instagram ). Dana Iverson: What got you into venture, and what is keeping you here? Thats a great way to get people to pitch to you who otherwise might not try, said Alison. Review address history and property records. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. 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. 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.. When Im serving, I dont serve at 98%. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. 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. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. Thanks for being part of ours! 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. The champions for Black female founders are here to stay. Thanks for being part of ours! You just naturally wake up and you say, like, wow, 70% of my founders are women.. Privacy Policy Veronica is a proud Alumna of Howard University and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. }).render('5eec50a0f683429ca3814da74bd486aa'); Ive been watching a lot of reruns of reality shows. Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. My first time pitching was terrible. Dan Rapaport dad Marc works in real estate and serves as the head of Thorofare Capital, a mercantile real estate pawnbroker entity. It's your baby. That constant sense of regret for not having taken up golf at a younger age compelled him not to let his kids have the same mistake. INFORMATION Registry of Corporate Directors. 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. 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. 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. The team also scores each prospective investment that makes it past the introductory rounds. Alison: I took my first call with Serena from a bridal store while trying on bridesmaid dresses for a friends wedding. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. On our Rise of the Next podcast, Honghao Deng and Jiani Zeng tell us how Butlr, which provides insights into commercial space usage, pivoted during the pandemic. One recent investment they made is Fiveable, a woman-led Milwaukie edtech startup helping students prepare for AP exams by offering free online resources. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', 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. Alison's role is Manager: It can be as simple as making products more affordable or accessible. SistersInc. Fund Budgeting & Cash Flow Management What are the financial nuts and bolts of launching and managing a venture fund? page_type: 'article', 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. That includes looking at digital learning as a supplement and a way to attack inequities in traditional education systems. Serena Williams founded Serena Ventures in 2014. Marc works as a credit approval principal at Thorofare Capital. Investors claiming they cant find opportunities to invest in women and founders of color probably arent trying hard enough, said Alison. ]); Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/business/serena-williams-venture-fund.html. This isnt new for me, she says. Besides, they have a pet dog named Bud, who has also been featured in most of her uploads. tude.cmd.push(function() { She can get an amazing read on a person and see the big picture really quickly, whereas it takes me longer. Dan with Alison, Robyn, Marc and Sheri celebrates Marc's birthday in Hawaii, February 2022 ( Source : instagram ). Partner @Serenaventures. Looking at the VC industry more broadly, Alison doesnt see a diverse pipeline problem, but a networking issue. In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. Contact WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. 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. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 And also, its very authentic. Either Stillman, Williams, or another member of the firm's six-person team will schedule an introductory call with the founder. 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. I spent my teenage and college years trying to be liked and now I talk to three people from my high school. Ian Rapaport a television analyst and pundit for National Football League (NFL) ( Source : instagram ). 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', To raise a child it takes a village. The two cherished couple, beaming happy in the early morning, enjoyed an excellent breakfast as she held a Veuve Clicquot champagne bottle. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; She earned Bachelor of Science degree in Finance & Operations from the campus. Allows traders to buy and sell bitcoin in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. 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. If you have a cold inbound, you can find great opportunities, she says. This mindset allows us to have a broad and holistic approach to invest in FinTech, Wellness, and everything in between. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Nacho lover WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. and this attitude has led to White men receiving an overwhelming majority of venture capital funds. WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. aid: '782078', Dog mom . Prospective investors considering an investment into any 500 Startups fund should not consider or construe this content as fund marketing material. } Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? cnx({ As an angel investor, you can only do so much, the world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist told BLACK ENTERPRISE exclusively. Impact can take many forms, she continues. I feel like I go to sleep getting messages from her and wake up getting messages from her, Rapaport told Fortune. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. 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. After graduating from Brentwood school, Alison studied psychology for a while before enrolling at the Wharton School. Television. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. So I spent the week practicing my pitch with friends. 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. As a Senior Associate, Veronica sources, conducts diligence, and provides portfolio support at Serena Ventures. 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. The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. That includes companies that focus on issues from mobility to menopause to deathtech, Stillman said. When Serena Williams announced her retirement earlier this month, there was plenty of talk of the tennis superstars 23 Grand Slam titles. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Serena Ventures is led by world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist Serena Williams, and Alison Rapaport Stillman, who has previously worked at J.P. Morgan, Wasserman, and Melo7Tech Partners. As the famous story goes, I came over with tacos and a binder of pitches. Marc and Sheri Huttner Rapaport are the proud parents of Dan Rapaport who raised him in the serene setting of Los Angeles. Behavioral Aspects in Decision Making (Part 2), Emerging trends in Life Insurance and how to choose the right plan. 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. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas.
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