Produces a new generation of meats and cheeses made entirely from plants. Serena Ventures also works with accelerators (including 500 Startups) and diversity-focused funds to source leads and looks at opportunities that originate outside significant startup hubs. And also, its very authentic. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. They have scheduled their marriage on June 10, 2023. Have a great Thursday. 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. Dog mom . They had one problem: their brand didnt reflect who they were as a firm- or as people. Alison: I took my first call with Serena from a bridal store while trying on bridesmaid dresses for a friends wedding. As a result, they were able to provide for their children. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. We dont fit the mold of venture.. 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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.. Sign up to stay up to date on global innovation. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. }); EVENTS Subscribe to Newsletter The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. 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. Its been proven that the more diverse your team, the better you do, and companies are now starting to realize that, she says. WebVisit Alison Rapaport Stillman and Stillman Stillmans Baby Registry on Babylist. 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. That includes looking at digital learning as a supplement and a way to attack inequities in traditional education systems. We made our founders feel like we are partners who can help them grow, she said. In March, Serena Ventures announced it had raised an inaugural fund of $111 million from outside investors including Alphabet, Norwest, LionTree, and Kapor Center. With my little experience in venture, I knew that I had to go in prepared and used all of my resources to get ready. Venture capitalists tend to believe in founders who feel familiar and thereby move forward to fund them. Still, 76% of Serena Ventures portfolio founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. On that front, Alison advocates working with organizations like BLCK VC or All Raise. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of While both individuals may have similar last names, they are not bonded. Its time we all play on the same court. cnx({ Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. Partner @Serenaventures. That includes looking at digital learning as a supplement and a way to attack inequities in traditional education systems. In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. pos: 'right_rail_3', 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. After graduating from Harvard, Alison joined the Jefferies & Company as an banking analyst in June 2009. 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. Register for your account and get started with our industry leading people contacts search engine. My friends were asking questions that I didnt have the answers to, but I got better with time and more practice. Behavioral Aspects in Decision Making (Part 2), Emerging trends in Life Insurance and how to choose the right plan. Dan and Emma enjoying photogenic landscape in Snowmass Village, Colorado, July 2021 ( Source : instagram ). 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. The food we eat, the space we live in, and the tools we use at home are all getting a second look. We have been trying to do this for a long time and Im excited to see the current momentum. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. Many recommendations they now get come from current portfolio companies. They are finding new sectors to focus on, such as the rise of online education. According to Zola, Dan and his future wife Emma have set their wedding date for June 10, 2023, in the scenic landscape of Chicago. Moreover, Rapaport is also a former golf writer at Sports Illustrated and a staff writer for Golf Digest. The move underscores 500 Globals multi-stage initiatives. Try not to control everything. About 10 to 20% of pitches receive a follow-up from the firm. Serena Ventures Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 and has invested in over 60 companies. WebAlison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. The pair hiked along rugged coastlines, through thick forests admiring all the beauty they witnessed. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. You can find her on Twitter. Serena Ventures. It's your child. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. He supports all aspects of existing deals through analysis, market research, competitive landscapes, financial modeling, and deal structuring. This isnt new for me, she says. Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. Alison: Skincare. 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. Their most recent diversity investment was on December 5, 2020, when Kiira Health raised. Registry of Corporate Directors. Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. Nacho lover cat: 'entrepreneurship', 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 Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. Ms. Rapaport Stillman previously worked at JPMorgan, Wasserman and Melo7 Tech. 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. 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. Dana: Fill in the blank: I wouldnt get through quarantine without. url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', He has been in the industry for four decades. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/business/serena-williams-venture-fund.html. Zoe is the best decision that we have made in quarantine. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. Weve made some investments in the food and beverage space but are interested in the holistic wellness space as well. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Black Men XCEL This post is intended solely for general informational or educational purposes only. 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. Im a firm believer that success comes from focusing on the skills you want to develop and the people you want to work for rather than fixating on job titles. I legit thought she misspoke because 98% is a huge number, Williams says. As a world-class athlete, businesswoman, philanthropist and mother, Serena Williams knows what it takes to win. Thats a great way to get people to pitch to you who otherwise might not try, said Alison. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. For fans of Williams, this year's US Open was likely a bittersweet moment. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. My puppy Zoe. Anyone can read what you share. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman, Serena Ventures. Looking at the VC industry more broadly, Alison doesnt see a diverse pipeline problem, but a networking issue. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. It helps that Serena Ventures has a diverse team led by women. aid: '782078', Contact The same was kept secret until April 17, 2019, when the tennis star took to Instagram to post about it. Dan posted a congratulations tweet in August 2022 as she represented the company in the New York Stock Exchange. You just naturally wake up and you say, like, wow, 70% of my founders are women.. Ms. Williamss other business activities include fashion lines, entertainment deals and a seat on the board of Poshmark. Ian Rapaport a television analyst and pundit for National Football League (NFL) ( Source : instagram ). Dan Rapaport is not related to Ian Rapaport. Marc inspired him to pursue a career in golf at the age of 4 as Dan grew up with a sister. Alison Rapaport Stillman, General Partner, Serena Ventures (Image: Courtesy of Serena Ventures) For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. SERENA VENTURES. When Im serving, I dont serve at 98%. 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." tag: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Serena Ventures doesnt require that its founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, though it says about three-quarters of its portfolio company founders do. BE 100s The FDA nears final approval on vaccines for young kids, women feel unprepared for menopause, and Zola adds a co-CEO. ]); div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', 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. Like, look at what we have done.. However, just like in tennis, Serena does not believe in following the herd mentality while taking on investments. 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. As Analyst, Ashel assists with sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support initiatives at Serena Ventures. NFL insider Ian has a brother named Jake Rapaport. She makes you feel comfortable, as if youre not talking to the greatest athlete of all time. Serena Williams in Hollywood in November. Masthead. Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { I just want people that believe in our mission and that want to be a part of something really amazing. Then in July 2011, she landed a job at JP Morgan Assest Management firm. Marc and Sheri Huttner Rapaport are the proud parents of Dan Rapaport who raised him in the serene setting of Los Angeles. Emma posted their first picture online on Valentine's in 2020. 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.. Ive been on a bit of a skincare kick so I have been trying a lot of Kate Somervilles products. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. Serena Ventures partner Alison Rapaport Stillman thinks VCs need to get out of their comfort zones. Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. 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. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. 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. He then introduced me to Chris Lyons at Andreessen Horowitzs Cultural Leadership Fund, who encouraged me to lean into my skill set to support world-class athletes who would like to get into venture but dont have the investment background. I hurriedly picked a dress, which luckily fit, and jumped on the call. aid: '782078', He worked for numerous organisations in various positions, including manager, director, and executive. Europe, Menlo Park, China), Where the person is located (e.g. 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. 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. When one thinks of the name Serena Williams, the majority of thoughts flow in the direction of her impeccable tennis career. Have a great Thursday. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. } Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. Wharton School, with a Bachelor of Science in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Operations & Information Management and a minor in Psychology. Fund Budgeting & Cash Flow Management What are the financial nuts and bolts of launching and managing a venture fund? ]); The stats about the fund received by black women entrepreneurs in the recent years highlights the problem. cat: 'entrepreneurship', Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. pos: 'right_rail_2', Previously, Alison worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in Multi- Asset Solutions and led the development of the firms Alternative Beta offering. They are finding new sectors to focus on, such as the rise of online education. Alisa Gumbs is the executive managing editor of BLACK ENTERPRISE, planning and creating content across the company's print, digital, events, and broadcast platforms. In hindsight, I did not need to worry about the other people who barely thought of me. One meeting led to another and the next thing you know, Im working at Serena Ventures. You can find her on Twitter. It can be hard for founders to delegate. It's not the only thing." Thanks for being part of ours! She earned Bachelor of Science degree in Finance & Operations from the campus. Having dabbled in almost everything from marketing to accounting, her intellectual athleticism makes her excited about exploring new sectors and industries. To raise a child it takes a village. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. Serena Ventures most notable exits include The Wing and OLLY. I go up to her afterward and asked, Tell me about this 2 percent I know maybe you misspoke, Ms. Williams recounted. Dan Rapaport sister is named Alison Rapaport Stillman. Review address history and property records. Alison graduated from Harvard Business School in March 2018 ( Source : instagram ). The pair had unforgettable intimate moments in a cold, chilly environment in the woods near a lake. Delivers pre-prepped, frozen, healthy cuisine to your door. In October 2020, the duo enjoyed a family lunch with their parents at a cosy restaurant in LA, California. She can get an amazing read on a person and see the big picture really quickly, whereas it takes me longer. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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. "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. 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. Dan and Marc enjoying golf during dusk in Cabot Cliffs, July 2019 ( Source : instagram ). Serena Ventures, the venture capital fund backed and founded in 2017 by Serena Williams. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Alison: We invest early in a market and a founder. Among its portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of founders are people of color. Sales Partnership Solutions There is no recent news or activity for this profile. Tennis superstar Serena Williams has just announced that her venture capital firm,Serena Ventures, has raised $111 million dollars in an inaugural fund. subcat: '', divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? 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. 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. The founder should find people with experience or a particular skill set to offer advice to prepare them for the ups and downs. She comes to Serena Ventures from Equitable Advisors, where she worked as an Investment Operations Specialist. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Serena is such a smart and driven person. Her Instagram feed is overflowing with many images capturing the cherished moments of their romantic love life. Dana Iverson is a contributing writer at All Raise. and this attitude has led to White men receiving an overwhelming majority of venture capital funds. Alison's role is Manager: page_type: 'article', To be successful, though, you have to let go of the reins.". 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. We are focusing not just on the people, but on the market. Some of Alison Stillman's colleagues are Alison Rapaport, Amy Berliner, Kyra Mccarty, Alison Rapapaort, Olivia Griffian, Serena Williams, Jair Bobbitt, Veronica Reaves. aid: '782078', Impact can take many forms, she continues. Since 2014, Serena Ventures has championed founders whose perspectives and innovations level the playing field for women and people of color. INFORMATION The same goes for actor Michael Rapaport. 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. Business partners. Dan with Alison, Robyn, Marc and Sheri celebrates Marc's birthday in Hawaii, February 2022 ( Source : instagram ). She is so much more than just the worlds best tennis player. That includes companies that focus on issues from mobility to menopause to deathtech, 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. 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.