Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. NFL insider Ian has a brother named Jake Rapaport. Review address history and property records. 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. ABOUT Entrepreneurs Summit WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. Tennis superstar Serena Williams has just announced that her venture capital firm,Serena Ventures, has raised $111 million dollars in an inaugural fund. It also helps that a byproduct of working with diverse entrepreneurs is that it leads to a more diverse deal flow. cat: 'entrepreneurship', You just naturally wake up and you say, like, wow, 70% of my founders are women.. Behavioral Aspects in Decision Making (Part 2), Emerging trends in Life Insurance and how to choose the right plan. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', They just share a same surname but have no family ties. As a result, they were able to provide for their children. Like, look at what we have done.. 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." The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. 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. 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. It's your baby. 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. Dan and Michael are unrelated and has never even talked to each other. 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.. ]); You can find her on Twitter. She makes you feel comfortable, as if youre not talking to the greatest athlete of all time. Impact can take many forms, she continues. The General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. 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. Take trading cards, something Alison has never cared aboutthat is until alternative assets boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 the first athlete ever to hit Forbes list of the Worlds Richest Self-Made Women. Thus, Marc bought Dan a golf set on his fourth birthday. So I spent the week practicing my pitch with friends. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. ', 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. You can also reach out to them oninfo@aysasia.com, Your email address will not be published. Williams was heavily involved in her firms decision-making process well before she announced her retirement. 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. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. When Serena Williams first launched the firm, she explicitly wanted to provide funding for more women. 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 The latest Tweets from Alison Stillman (@alison_stillman). Some of Alison Stillman's colleagues are Alison Rapaport, Amy Berliner, Kyra Mccarty, Alison Rapapaort, Olivia Griffian, Serena Williams, Jair Bobbitt, Veronica Reaves. She first worked as an advisory and sales analyst before getting promoted to investment specialist for the company. We want to make sure that we dont necessarily neatly check a box. 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. Were working on a mission that is bigger than any one of us and that makes me feel excited to do my job. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. Contact page_type: 'article', A week later, she asked me to come to her house and present some ideas to her. When she is not working on the Business Development team at Ada Support, she is avidly baking and elevating Black culinary creatives on Instagram , listening to a podcast, or digging into a good book. This post was written in collaboration withAsif Yahiya Sukri LLP. Prospective investors considering an investment into any 500 Startups fund should not consider or construe this content as fund marketing material. According to Zola, Dan and his future wife Emma have set their wedding date for June 10, 2023, in the scenic landscape of Chicago. I dont jump off buildings. Ian Rapaport a television analyst and pundit for National Football League (NFL) ( Source : instagram ). }); EVENTS It receives about 200 pitches there a week, and Stillman said they read each one. Serena Ventures doesnt require that its founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, though it says about three-quarters of its portfolio company founders do. It's your child. Investing in people who look like you eventually leads to systemic exclusion. The same goes for actor Michael Rapaport. She is a student at Princeton University in the School of Public and International Affairs with Minors in Entrepreneurship and Urban Studies. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. 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. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Founders should send a deck with their pitch even if it's just a "teaser deck." Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. 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. Allows traders to buy and sell bitcoin in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. 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 At the start of February 2022, Emma and Dan travelled to Hualalai, Kona, in Hawaii. SERENA VENTURES. 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. They have scheduled their marriage on June 10, 2023. He worked for numerous organisations in various positions, including manager, director, and executive. The tennis stars firm, Serena Ventures, will invest in founders with diverse points of view. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. 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. 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. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. With my little experience in venture, I knew that I had to go in prepared and used all of my resources to get ready. Dana: Fill in the blank: I wouldnt get through quarantine without. subcat: '', Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. 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. } Register for your account and get started with our industry leading people contacts search engine. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Besides, Marc stars in the new Netflix docu-series about the PGA golf tour, "Full Swing," which premiered on February 15, 2023. "It's hard. Dan Rapaport father Marc Rapaport is a real estate agent from Los Angeles. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. 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. The same was kept secret until April 17, 2019, when the tennis star took to Instagram to post about it. Alison: Skincare. According to her Linkedin profile, Alison is a financial expert and analyst whose job is to provide vast arrays of specualtions and predictions of the money market and help the company accordingly. 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. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. And the only way to change those numbers was to be the person writing the big checks.. "A Serena Ventures company is gritty, mission-oriented, and pushing boundaries," she said. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Subscribe to Newsletter She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', 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. Just to be clear, you dont have to be a person of color or a woman to be in our fund, Williams says. Zoe is the best decision that we have made in quarantine. 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. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner, Alison's role is Manager: Owner & Partner, Partner. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Dan and Marc enjoying golf during dusk in Cabot Cliffs, July 2019 ( Source : instagram ). One meeting led to another and the next thing you know, Im working at Serena Ventures. We dont fit the mold of venture.. We have been trying to do this for a long time and Im excited to see the current momentum. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Sells personal care, food, and household goods products under the Brandless brand. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. Dog mom . cat: 'entrepreneurship', You can find her on Twitter. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman, Serena Ventures. 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Early Stage Venture Investors Female Founded Venture Capital Investors, Western US Venture Capital Female Founded Companies, San Francisco Bay Area Female Founded Companies, San Francisco Bay Area Female Founded Micro VCs, Female Founded Early Stage Venture Investors with Investments in San Francisco, California, Finance Companies With Fewer Than 10 Employees (Top 10K), United States Investors with Funds Raised in 2022, San Francisco Bay Area Female Founded Investors. Serena Ventures. 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.. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Dan Rapaport girlfriend Emma Light is engaged in October 2021. env: 'prod', In October 2020, the duo enjoyed a family lunch with their parents at a cosy restaurant in LA, California. Alison Stillman's peers at other companies are Ariane Rocha, Margaret Ursua, Marine Casiez, Joseph Eazyway, Janice Patriarca, David Guthery, Karen Chapman, John Stafford. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. 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. The stats about the fund received by black women entrepreneurs in the recent years highlights the problem. She eventually widened the criteria and today Serena Ventures will fund anyone with a good idea. 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.. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', She is also disarmingly authentic. Serena agrees that there is a social purpose to that decision. INFORMATION Nacho lover Dana Iverson: What got you into venture, and what is keeping you here? 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. The firm, which announced an $111 million fund in March, already included a portfolio of 60 firms from Williams earliest investment activity; she wrote one of the first checks for Masterclass, and was also an early backer of Noom and Impossible Foods, among others. Alison Stillman has 1+ years experience as Partner. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of After graduating from Brentwood school, Alison studied psychology for a while before enrolling at the Wharton School. She earned Bachelor of Science degree in Finance & Operations from the campus. 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 ). WebAlison Rapaport Stillman, Serena Ventures. 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.. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. The views expressed herein are as at the date of this summary and are subject to change without notice. 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. 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. Accelerating the success of female founders and funders to build a more prosperous, equitable future. It is important to us that the founder has a personal connection to the problem and is uniquely positioned to solve it. Dan posted a congratulations tweet in August 2022 as she represented the company in the New York Stock Exchange. 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. When one thinks of the name Serena Williams, the majority of thoughts flow in the direction of her impeccable tennis career. The entire process from pitch to investment can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, Stillman said. They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. Fund Budgeting & Cash Flow Management What are the financial nuts and bolts of launching and managing a venture fund? 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. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. 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. 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. Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. Ms. Rapaport Stillman previously worked at JPMorgan, Wasserman and Melo7 Tech. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. A sample of the funds investments includes the following: Offers body products and shaving supplies at a fair price, without the pink tax. The information is out there.. Business partners. Furthermore, he is also one of the founding members of a top soccer league in the US, Major League Soccer (MLS). Registry of Corporate Directors. And that needs to happen across the board.. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. All views and opinions presented herein by such third party participants do not represent those of 500 Startups or any of its affiliates or representatives. Im still able to see the opportunity and help the company grow. Have a great Thursday. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', It can be hard for founders to delegate. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. The natural beauty of the world around the island struck them. We cant resort to a theater allyship, you have to do the work write the checks and make the hires. subcat: '', 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. 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. 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. 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. Television. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. About 10 to 20% of pitches receive a follow-up from the firm. Besides, they have a pet dog named Bud, who has also been featured in most of her uploads. Lets just be honest, you know I couldnt just say Oh Im going to do this and have fun with it. The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. 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 couple had been to many beautiful locations throughout the globe, the nuances of which Emma has captured in photographs. Review address history and property records. They want to work with us because they know that we will come to them from a place of empathy, said Alison. 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's role is Manager: Thats my job, to make the unfamiliar familiar she said. To raise a child it takes a village. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) Ms. Williamss other business activities include fashion lines, entertainment deals and a seat on the board of Poshmark. Asif Yahiya Sukri LLP provides unparalleled personalized financial services to a broad range of clients across different geographical locations. 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. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. To raise a child it takes a village. Below, Stillman explains how the firm evaluates prospective investments and what makes the winners stand out. According to the National Venture Capital Association data, only 4% of the people who work in venture capital are Black. Serena Williams founded Serena Ventures in 2014. When I met my husband, that was our first conversation. Review address history and property records. Yet, because of the areas they want to serve, Alison says they still naturally fund women, Black and Latinx founders. SistersInc. Thanks for being part of ours! The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. My first time pitching was terrible. Abena: What advice would you give your younger self? Marc co-founded Jefferies and Co., where he toiled as director and executive vice chairperson from 1990 to 1995.