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. In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. Dan often goes golfing with Marc where as Sheri stays as home waiting for them ( Source : instagram ). Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Anyone can read what you share. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. "The founder can't be doing everything," Stillman said. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Entrepreneurs Summit cnx.cmd.push(function() { In March, Serena Ventures announced it had raised an inaugural fund of $111 million from outside investors including Alphabet, Norwest, LionTree, and Kapor Center. Register for your account and get started with our industry leading people contacts search engine. Investing in people who look like you eventually leads to systemic exclusion. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Having dabbled in almost everything from marketing to accounting, her intellectual athleticism makes her excited about exploring new sectors and industries. 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. Looking at the VC industry more broadly, Alison doesnt see a diverse pipeline problem, but a networking issue. Serena Ventures - The Financial Pandora 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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. Ive been on a bit of a skincare kick so I have been trying a lot of Kate Somervilles products. Her Instagram feed is overflowing with many images capturing the cherished moments of their romantic love life. Business partners. I hurriedly picked a dress, which luckily fit, and jumped on the call. Venture Capital Investing: What It Is and Where Its Headed Alison: I took my first call with Serena from a bridal store while trying on bridesmaid dresses for a friends wedding. Review address history and property records. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. 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. 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. 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. She earned Bachelor of Science degree in Finance & Operations from the campus. 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 Impact can take many forms, she continues. To raise a child it takes a village. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. B.E. Alison: Im excited about the refocus on the home. Serena Williams' Venture Capital Firm Raises $111 Million 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. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Alison: We invest early in a market and a founder. He worked for numerous organisations in various positions, including manager, director, and executive. 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. Marc started his job in 1983 as a banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert. 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 Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. To raise a child it takes a village. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. 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. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', Partner @Serenaventures. Dan Rapaport sister is named 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. Those include "business opportunity, founder fit, business model, and mission alignment," she told Insider by email. Clayton, who landed on Venture Capital Journals 2023 list of Rising Stars, talks about his journey and shares some advice for founders. It's your baby. When Im serving, I dont serve at 98%. 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. Weve made some investments in the food and beverage space but are interested in the holistic wellness space as well. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Ms. Williamss other business activities include fashion lines, entertainment deals and a seat on the board of Poshmark. aid: '782078', cnx({ We cant resort to a theater allyship, you have to do the work write the checks and make the hires. Zola founder Shan-Lyn Ma adds co-CEO Rachel Jarrett | Fortune 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. "It's hard. Thus, Marc bought Dan a golf set on his fourth birthday. Review address history and property records. Alison Rapaport Stillman Ive been watching a lot of reruns of reality shows. Sales Partnership Solutions If you have a cold inbound, you can find great opportunities, she says. Privacy Policy Nacho lover WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. Im the most non-taking-a-chance kind of a person, but I felt like a seed was where we wanted to be.. env: 'prod', WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Alison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Partner @Serenaventures. That is exactly what we are going to talk about in this article. Dan posted a congratulations tweet in August 2022 as she represented the company in the New York Stock Exchange. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. 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. Prospective investors considering an investment into any 500 Startups fund should not consider or construe this content as fund marketing material. Have a great Thursday. Then in July 2011, she landed a job at JP Morgan Assest Management firm. Right now, the firm is excited about companies that address aging. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. 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. aid: '782078', Rapaport Stillman Nacho lover Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Olivia launched her first startup, SevenSkin Beauty, a skincare company that combines science with technology and education. Serena Williams raises $111 million for new venture fund. It is important to us that the founder has a personal connection to the problem and is uniquely positioned to solve it. Alison Stillman Serena Williams co-investor shares what comes next for the Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', he wrote. She makes you feel comfortable, as if youre not talking to the greatest athlete of all time. Serena Ventures invests in founders who solve everyday problems through unconventional thinking and diverse points of view. For the past nine years, it has managed a portfolio of more than 60 angel investments, using Williams own money. I want to highlight that we do not invest in women and people of color to simply check a box. This mindset allows us to have a broad and holistic approach to invest in FinTech, Wellness, and everything in between. I feel like I go to sleep getting messages from her and wake up getting messages from her, Rapaport told Fortune. One meeting led to another and the next thing you know, Im working at Serena Ventures. Dana Iverson: What got you into venture, and what is keeping you here? It helps that Serena Ventures has a diverse team led by women. The golf guy at Barstool Sports currently lives a serene life with his fiance Emma in the radiant metropolis of Brooklyn, New York. Alison J Rapaport Stillman Rapaport Stillman Ultimately, Stillman believes that a Serena Ventures company is defined by three qualities. 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. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. 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 In early August, the 23-time Grand Slam champion wrote in an essay for Vogue that she would be retiring from tennis. It also helps that a byproduct of working with diverse entrepreneurs is that it leads to a more diverse deal flow. While interviewing for jobs, she was the only person who I felt would empower me to succeed. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) By: Julia Hanna, Demographics-Race-African American, Black, Alumna-Led Reproductive Health Startup Raises $4.7 Million. We also think about products that are creative, fun, and make life more enjoyable. After graduating from Harvard, Alison joined the Jefferies & Company as an banking analyst in June 2009. Dan with Alison, Robyn, Marc and Sheri celebrates Marc's birthday in Hawaii, February 2022 ( Source : instagram ). This post is intended solely for general informational or educational purposes only. 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. Doubles Partner - Alumni - Harvard Business School Im more on the analytical side, the portfolio-construction side. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 She is so much more than just the worlds best tennis player. Women of Power Summit 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); Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of cat: 'entrepreneurship', divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', When I eventually presented the pitches to Serena, she asked the same questions that I had worked to prepare for. They want to work with us because they know that we will come to them from a place of empathy, said Alison. aid: '782078', Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. Alison J Rapaport Stillman Another important factor is making sure that a founder is coachable. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. 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. Dan popped the question to Emma in Friday Harbor, Washington in October 2021 ( Source : instagram ). Alison J Rapaport Stillman While both individuals may have similar last names, they are not bonded. Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. The former Sports Illustrated writer denied any connection with Ian via a Reddit post in 2018. In October 2020, the duo enjoyed a family lunch with their parents at a cosy restaurant in LA, California. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. Serena Ventures - The Serena Williams-backed VC Fund The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. 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. 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.. Subscribe to Newsletter Serena Williams raises $111 million for new venture fund. cat: 'entrepreneurship', Serena agrees that there is a social purpose to that decision. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Zola founder Shan-Lyn Ma adds co-CEO Rachel Jarrett | Fortune "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. 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. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. 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. As a Senior Associate, Veronica sources, conducts diligence, and provides portfolio support at Serena Ventures. As a result, they were able to provide for their children. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. 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. Alison: There are a lot of different ways to think about making everyday lives better. 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. A sample of the funds investments includes the following: Offers body products and shaving supplies at a fair price, without the pink tax. View select TechCrunch Disrupt content online today Serena Ventures most notable exits include The Wing and OLLY. She eventually widened the criteria and today Serena Ventures will fund anyone with a good idea. My path to Serena Ventures started with another sports superstar, ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. SERENA VENTURES. Owners & Partners are responsible for the overall success of the business. There is no recent news or activity for this profile. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. Serena Williams' Venture Capital Firm Raises $111 Million As she learned more about the world of funding, Williams was shocked by the inequities. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. The pair had unforgettable intimate moments in a cold, chilly environment in the woods near a lake. Yet, because of the areas they want to serve, Alison says they still naturally fund women, Black and Latinx founders. A week later, she asked me to come to her house and present some ideas to her. Plenty of its portfolio companies come from Silicon Valley, but two of its most recent investments came from North Carolina and Wisconsin. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. She is the first athlete ever to hit Forbes list of the Worlds Richest Self-Made Women. Serena Williams' Venture Capital Firm Raises $111 Million Goodwin Women Guide Serena Williams Venture Fund in $111 SERENA VENTURES. SERENA VENTURES. 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. pos: 'right_rail_3', 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. Besides, Marc stars in the new Netflix docu-series about the PGA golf tour, "Full Swing," which premiered on February 15, 2023. Stillman ]); Besides, the one thing the golf star has in common with his fiance is their hunger for adventure and travel. The entire process from pitch to investment can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, Stillman said. Management Alison Rapaport Stillman Pavan is an Associate at Serena Ventures where he researches market trends, dives into emerging sectors, and sources new investment opportunities. Serena Ventures Built a Portfolio With One recent investment they made is Fiveable, a woman-led Milwaukie ed-tech startup helping students prepare for AP exams by offering free online resources. Alison Rapaport: I never thought Id pursue a career in venture. Serena Williams in Hollywood in November. Abena Anim-Somuah is a contributing writer at All Raise. A founder should hire a team around themselves and hire for what they are not. "It's a helpful tool for us. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. 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. So I spent the week practicing my pitch with friends. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. 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. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. Partner @Serenaventures. Stillman There are so many things that keep me in venture. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. Serena Ventures Built a Portfolio With Have a great Thursday. The same was kept secret until April 17, 2019, when the tennis star took to Instagram to post about it. 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. 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 raises $111 million for new venture fund. Ms. Rapaport Stillman previously worked at JPMorgan, Wasserman and Melo7 Tech. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Some of Alison Stillman's colleagues are Alison Rapaport, Amy Berliner, Kyra Mccarty, Alison Rapapaort, Olivia Griffian, Serena Williams, Jair Bobbitt, Veronica Reaves. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. cat: 'entrepreneurship', But as Serena Ventures is proving, it doesnt have to be this way. 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. Thats a great way to get people to pitch to you who otherwise might not try, said Alison. 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. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Serena Ventures - The Financial Pandora 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. page_type: 'article', The team also scores each prospective investment that makes it past the introductory rounds. Onstage at an event, Ms. Seidman-Becker said less than 2 percent of venture money went to women. . The views expressed herein are as at the date of this summary and are subject to change without notice. The scorecard helps the firm remain objective in its evaluation process. 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. The food we eat, the space we live in, and the tools we use at home are all getting a second look. She comes to Serena Ventures from Equitable Advisors, where she worked as an Investment Operations Specialist. 500 Startups makes no representations as to or guarantees of specific outcomes from relying on the contents of this post. I dont gamble. I just want people that believe in our mission and that want to be a part of something really amazing. 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. Alison graduated from Harvard Business School in March 2018 ( Source : instagram ). Either Stillman, Williams, or another member of the firm's six-person team will schedule an introductory call with the founder. Furthermore, he is also one of the founding members of a top soccer league in the US, Major League Soccer (MLS). Just to be clear, you dont have to be a person of color or a woman to be in our fund, Williams says. 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.. Tennis superstar Serena Williams has just announced that her venture capital firm,Serena Ventures, has raised $111 million dollars in an inaugural fund. To be successful, though, you have to let go of the reins.". She is also disarmingly authentic. Thats my job, to make the unfamiliar familiar she said. Behavioral Aspects in Decision Making (Part 2), Emerging trends in Life Insurance and how to choose the right plan. Thanks for being part of ours! The same goes for actor Michael Rapaport. Thats just the way of the land. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling.