In early August, the 23-time Grand Slam champion wrote in an essay for Vogue that she would be retiring from tennis. Zoe is the best decision that we have made in quarantine. 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. and this attitude has led to White men receiving an overwhelming majority of venture capital funds. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. Moreover, Rapaport is also a former golf writer at Sports Illustrated and a staff writer for Golf Digest. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Sadly this is why I wanted to build a track record, because, quite frankly I knew that above other people I needed to have something that could speak for itself, she says. Abena: What advice would you give your younger self? 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. Tennis superstar Serena Williams has just announced that her venture capital firm,Serena Ventures, has raised $111 million dollars in an inaugural fund. Another important factor is making sure that a founder is coachable. After graduating from Brentwood school, Alison studied psychology for a while before enrolling at the Wharton School. They just share a same surname but have no family ties. 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. There are so many things that keep me in venture. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', 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. My friends were asking questions that I didnt have the answers to, but I got better with time and more practice. page_type: 'article', Serena Williams founded Serena Ventures in 2014. 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. SistersInc. Venture capitalists tend to believe in founders who feel familiar and thereby move forward to fund them. 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. The firm is headquartered in San Francisco Bay Area, West Coast, and the Western US. The champions for Black female founders are here to stay. 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. Emma also posted a picture on her Instagram as they shared a passionate kiss after he popped her the question. Ms. Williamss other business activities include fashion lines, entertainment deals and a seat on the board of Poshmark. A founder should hire a team around themselves and hire for what they are not. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? Sign up to stay up to date on global innovation. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pavan is an Associate at Serena Ventures where he researches market trends, dives into emerging sectors, and sources new investment opportunities. Dan Rapaport girlfriend Emma Light is engaged in October 2021. 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. The pair had unforgettable intimate moments in a cold, chilly environment in the woods near a lake. We want to make sure that we dont necessarily neatly check a box. It receives about 200 pitches there a week, and Stillman said they read each one. Abena Anim-Somuah is a contributing writer at All Raise. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. I felt that it was an opportunity to combine my skill set with a mission and make a difference. 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 WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. About She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. Looking at the VC industry more broadly, Alison doesnt see a diverse pipeline problem, but a networking issue. The podcaster at Barstool Sports dedicated a tweet in April 2020 to appreciate Marc for everything he had done for Dan and a special gratification for introducing him to this beautiful game. Dan and Emma strolled in the streets near Three Lakes, Wisconsin, in September 2020 with Bud. Furthermore, he is also one of the founding members of a top soccer league in the US, Major League Soccer (MLS). She earned Bachelor of Science degree in Finance & Operations from the campus. 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. 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. Nacho lover For aspiring founders, Williams' retirement opens a window of opportunity. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. More generally, Serena Ventures also works with accelerators (including 500 Startups) and diversity-focused funds to source leads, and looks at opportunities that originate outside major startup hubs. Im still able to see the opportunity and help the company grow. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner, Alison's role is Manager: Owner & Partner, Partner. Marc works as a credit approval principal at Thorofare Capital. Amongst the portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of the founders are women or people of color. 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. I feel like I go to sleep getting messages from her and wake up getting messages from her, Rapaport told Fortune. }).render('5eec50a0f683429ca3814da74bd486aa'); Abena: What traits stand out to you in a founding team? The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. As an angel investor, you can only do so much, the world-class athlete, businesswoman, and philanthropist told BLACK ENTERPRISE exclusively. When I met my husband, that was our first conversation. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 But she still finds that VCs ignore products and services made for audiences theyre not familiar with, even those representing massive markets with loyal customers. She is so much more than just the worlds best tennis player. It can be hard for founders to delegate. WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. 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. 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. SERENA VENTURES. If you have a cold inbound, you can find great opportunities, she says. My puppy Zoe. Dan and Michael are unrelated and has never even talked to each other. She is a student at Princeton University in the School of Public and International Affairs with Minors in Entrepreneurship and Urban Studies. In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. By: Julia Hanna, Demographics-Race-African American, Black, Alumna-Led Reproductive Health Startup Raises $4.7 Million. tude.cmd.push(function() { With my little experience in venture, I knew that I had to go in prepared and used all of my resources to get ready. This isnt new for me, she says. cat: 'entrepreneurship', We had the pleasure of hearing from Alison on advice she would give to her younger self, her path to VC, and how she has stayed motivated during this time. Alisa Gumbs is the executive managing editor of BLACK ENTERPRISE, planning and creating content across the company's print, digital, events, and broadcast platforms. It is not us versus them. She comes to Serena Ventures from Equitable Advisors, where she worked as an Investment Operations Specialist. In hindsight, I did not need to worry about the other people who barely thought of me. 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 took to Instagram to post a picture of the two as they flaunt the ring from a resort rooftop in Friday Harbor, Washington. 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. Business partners. Like, look at what we have done.. We dont fit the mold of venture.. It is important to us that the founder has a personal connection to the problem and is uniquely positioned to solve it. In October 2020, the duo enjoyed a family lunch with their parents at a cosy restaurant in LA, California. For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', A sample of the funds investments includes the following: Offers body products and shaving supplies at a fair price, without the pink tax. After graduating from Harvard, Alison joined the Jefferies & Company as an banking analyst in June 2009. The two cherished couple, beaming happy in the early morning, enjoyed an excellent breakfast as she held a Veuve Clicquot champagne bottle. 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. You can also reach out to them oninfo@aysasia.com, Your email address will not be published. "You want to do something that's going to make it easy for us to understand your business," Stillman said. 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. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Television. When Serena Williams announced her retirement earlier this month, there was plenty of talk of the tennis superstars 23 Grand Slam titles. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Alison's role is Manager: Every quarter, the team brainstorms sectors it wants to dive deeper into. While interviewing for jobs, she was the only person who I felt would empower me to succeed. As the famous story goes, I came over with tacos and a binder of pitches. This post was written in collaboration withAsif Yahiya Sukri LLP. "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. Alison's role is Manager: Asif Yahiya Sukri LLP provides unparalleled personalized financial services to a broad range of clients across different geographical locations. They have scheduled their marriage on June 10, 2023. 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. Previous to Serena Ventures, Alison worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase, as well as in talent management for several athletes. Privacy Policy Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. As a result, they were able to provide for their children. Moreover, Dan has a younger sister Robyn Rapaport, founder of Shop Robynro. 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. Dog mom . aid: '782078', Dana: Fill in the blank: I wouldnt get through quarantine without. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. Dan often goes golfing with Marc where as Sheri stays as home waiting for them ( Source : instagram ). Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. Alison: Im excited about the refocus on the home. This makes a lot of sense invest in what you know! and this attitude has led to White men receiving an overwhelming majority of venture capital funds. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. Serena Williams raises $111 million for new venture fund. 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. We are focusing not just on the people, but on the market. She eventually widened the criteria and today Serena Ventures will fund anyone with a good idea. Then in July 2011, she landed a job at JP Morgan Assest Management firm. tude.cmd.push(function() { When Serena Williams first launched the firm, she explicitly wanted to provide funding for more women. With Sheri and Marc's established careers, the Full Swing star enjoyed a secure upbringing and affluent lifestyle during childhood. Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. . 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. 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. The golf guy at Barstool Sports currently lives a serene life with his fiance Emma in the radiant metropolis of Brooklyn, New York. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. 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. 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 Dan popped the question to Emma in Friday Harbor, Washington in October 2021 ( Source : instagram ). ]); She has persevered to become one of the top tennis players in history with 23 Grand Slam titles. Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. Sign up for notifications from Insider! WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Have a great Thursday. The information is out there.. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. The move underscores 500 Globals multi-stage initiatives. I dont gamble. When I eventually presented the pitches to Serena, she asked the same questions that I had worked to prepare for. Williams understands firsthand the plight of founders of color. Thus, Marc bought Dan a golf set on his fourth birthday. Since 2014, Serena Ventures has championed founders whose perspectives and innovations level the playing field for women and people of color. 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. cat: 'entrepreneurship', And that needs to happen across the board.. I was someone who lived my life to be on a conveyor belt. aid: '782078', Produces a new generation of meats and cheeses made entirely from plants. They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. 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. They are finding new sectors to focus on, such as the rise of online education. Previously, Alison was a Vice President at JPMorgan Chase and Read More Contact Alison Stillman's Phone Number and Email Last Update 11/24/2022 9:52 AM Email a***@serenaventures.com Engage via Email Contact Number (***) ***-**** Engage via Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. This mindset allows us to have a broad and holistic approach to invest in FinTech, Wellness, and everything in between. Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014. Right now, the firm is excited about companies that address aging. Even with her success and her privilege, she knows shes held to a different standard as a Black woman. Delivers pre-prepped, frozen, healthy cuisine to your door. 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. Dog mom . Sells personal care, food, and household goods products under the Brandless brand. Business partners. Anyone can read what you share. Alison graduated from Harvard Business School in March 2018 ( Source : instagram ). he wrote. 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 ). Contact That includes looking at digital learning as a supplement and a way to attack inequities in traditional education systems. Take trading cards, something Alison has never cared aboutthat is until alternative assets boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Registry of Corporate Directors. 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. One meeting led to another and the next thing you know, Im working at Serena Ventures. You just naturally wake up and you say, like, wow, 70% of my founders are women.. My fianc and I have had her for about two months. Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. Not surprisingly, thats a big reason why women and entrepreneurs of color struggle to access venture funding. 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. 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. Every company that we invest in isnt meant for Alison Rapaport Stillman and I know that, she said. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. 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. 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. And the only way to change those numbers was to be the person writing the big checks.. About 10 to 20% of pitches receive a follow-up from the firm. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. Emma posted their first picture online on Valentine's in 2020. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. Try not to control everything. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Some of Alison Stillman's colleagues are Alison Rapaport, Amy Berliner, Kyra Mccarty, Alison Rapapaort, Olivia Griffian, Serena Williams, Jair Bobbitt, Veronica Reaves. Among its portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of founders are people of color. She makes you feel comfortable, as if youre not talking to the greatest athlete of all time. "It's hard. 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 is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. subcat: '', When one thinks of the name Serena Williams, the majority of thoughts flow in the direction of her impeccable tennis career. At the start of February 2022, Emma and Dan travelled to Hualalai, Kona, in Hawaii. Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. 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. 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. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Williams was heavily involved in her firms decision-making process well before she announced her retirement. As she learned more about the world of funding, Williams was shocked by the inequities. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. 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. NFL insider Ian has a brother named Jake Rapaport. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. subcat: '', One recent investment they made is Fiveable, a woman-led Milwaukie edtech startup helping students prepare for AP exams by offering free online resources. The company is their baby! Yet, because of the areas they want to serve, Alison says they still naturally fund women, Black and Latinx founders. Marc started his job in 1983 as a banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Their most recent diversity investment was on December 5, 2020, when Kiira Health raised. 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. They are innovators who understand what goes into building companies. Sculptwear is an alternative to traditional shapewear that gives a smooth and tucked-in look under clothing. cnx.cmd.push(function() { To be successful, though, you have to let go of the reins.". Then to further intensify her business knowledge, she attended Harvard Buisness School in Boston, Massachusetts. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', Im the most non-taking-a-chance kind of a person, but I felt like a seed was where we wanted to be.. Quoting its founder, Serena, I am by no means alone in my mission to build an inclusive venture capital landscape. Alison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Below, Stillman explains how the firm evaluates prospective investments and what makes the winners stand out. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. The team also scores each prospective investment that makes it past the introductory rounds. 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.. 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. ABOUT Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. Angel, Fund of Funds, Venture Capital), Number of Investments the Individual has partnered in, Announced Date: Date when the Investment is announced, Organization Name: Name of the organization that received the investment, Investor Name: Name of the investor who participated in the Investment, Lead Investor: This field indicates whether an investor led/organized the investment, Funding Round: Name of the funding round where the Investment is made, Money Raised: Amount of money raised in Funding Round, Total number of current Jobs the person has, Organization Name: This is the name of the organization, Title At Company: Title of a Person's Job, Start Date: Start date of the Person's Job, CB Rank (Hub): Algorithmic rank assigned to the top 100,000 most active Hubs, Total number of events the individual appeared in, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Finance and Operations & Information Management. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', We made our founders feel like we are partners who can help them grow, she said. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. The views expressed herein are as at the date of this summary and are subject to change without notice. B.E. Dan posted a congratulations tweet in August 2022 as she represented the company in the New York Stock Exchange. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 Abena Anim-Somuah: Tell us how you met Serena and what drew you to work with her? She is a CFA charterholder and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School. Partner @Serenaventures. Register for your account and get started with our industry leading people contacts search engine. 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. San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley), This describes the type of investor the person is (e.g. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. 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. 500 Startups makes no representations as to or guarantees of specific outcomes from relying on the contents of this post. 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. 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. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Olivia launched her first startup, SevenSkin Beauty, a skincare company that combines science with technology and education.