Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. Dan does not have a brother and Alison is his only sibling. Besides, they have a pet dog named Bud, who has also been featured in most of her uploads. page_type: 'article', Im still able to see the opportunity and help the company grow. Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, finding companies that solve bigger consumer problems. For aspiring founders, Williams' retirement opens a window of opportunity. Alison Stillman is a Managing Partner at Serena Ventures based in Sugar Land, Texas. As a result, they were able to provide for their children. Financial services for what Stillman called the "unbanked and underbanked" and women's health companies have always ranked high on its list. Web2,862 Followers, 1,028 Following, 315 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ali Jo Rapaport Stillman (@ali_jo_rap_stillman) 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 ). For Williams, surrounding herself with other smart women was a no-brainer. The information is out there.. 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. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. Management 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. A sample of the funds investments includes the following: Offers body products and shaving supplies at a fair price, without the pink tax. A founder should hire a team around themselves and hire for what they are not. While interviewing for jobs, she was the only person who I felt would empower me to succeed. One recent investment they made is Fiveable, a woman-led Milwaukie edtech startup helping students prepare for AP exams by offering free online resources. 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. Even with her success and her privilege, she knows shes held to a different standard as a Black woman. Even though Marc frequently played golf with Dan, it wasn't until August 2020 that his father attended one of his games at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in New York and watched him as an audience. Alison graduated from Harvard Business School in March 2018 ( Source : instagram ). Partner @Serenaventures. She is a founding partner at Serena Ventures after joining the capital fund company in 2018. Serena Ventures has a market cap of $14 billion and 29 active investments. Investors claiming they cant find opportunities to invest in women and founders of color probably arent trying hard enough, said Alison. At the start of February 2022, Emma and Dan travelled to Hualalai, Kona, in Hawaii. 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. We had great chemistry on that call. Delivers pre-prepped, frozen, healthy cuisine to your door. As a world-class athlete, businesswoman, philanthropist and mother, Serena Williams knows what it takes to win. They are innovators who understand what goes into building companies. 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. The company is their baby! Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. It also helps that a byproduct of working with diverse entrepreneurs is that it leads to a more diverse deal flow. It receives about 200 pitches there a week, and Stillman said they read each one. Dog mom . She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. Zoe is the best decision that we have made in quarantine. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman, Serena Ventures. Learn more about the 20+ companies we've invested in and what's next. They are finding new sectors to focus on, such as the rise of online education. 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. And also, its very authentic. ', 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. Dan and Emma strolled in the streets near Three Lakes, Wisconsin, in September 2020 with Bud. WebAllison Stillman is the director of Aroma Blue, bringing aromatherapy to people in recovery. cat: 'entrepreneurship', Amongst the portfolio of more than 50 companies, 60% of the founders are women or people of color. 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. Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Ashel spent time on the programming team at Kauffman Fellows and was a startup founder. I think celebrities dont always experience pushback, but I give that, which she respects, and she does it with me., Two years later, that hasnt changed. We made our founders feel like we are partners who can help them grow, she said. She is a student at Princeton University in the School of Public and International Affairs with Minors in Entrepreneurship and Urban Studies. targeting: { The founding partners of Serena Ventures are Ms. Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. So I spent the week practicing my pitch with friends. Each day is a learning experience, Im learning all the things that I would have had I taken venture classes at school. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Entrepreneurs Summit Another way Alison recommends sourcing diverse deal flow is by not requiring a warm intro. She is a CFA charterholder and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School. kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Dan often goes golfing with Marc where as Sheri stays as home waiting for them ( Source : instagram ). BE 100s Serena Ventures was about to announce a historic $111 million raise that would change the world. "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. To raise a child it takes a village. aid: '782078', In her next chapter, Williams said she planned to focus on her venture-capital firm, Serena Ventures. My path to Serena Ventures started with another sports superstar, ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Alison Stillman Goes By Allison Stillman Nashville, TN Age: 67 Full Name: Allison Stillman Current Home Address: 5329 Old Village Rd Nashville TN 37211 url: 'serena,williams,venture,capital,firm,raises,111,million', Its time we all play on the same court. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. Alison married Alec Stillman in October 2020, and they welcomed a daughter named Lucy in February 2023. "You want to do something that's going to make it easy for us to understand your business," Stillman said. Thus, Marc bought Dan a golf set on his fourth birthday. 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. Thats just the way of the land. Subscribe to Newsletter The food we eat, the space we live in, and the tools we use at home are all getting a second look. Sales Partnership Solutions 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 Television. "It's a helpful tool for us. pos: 'right_rail_1', Every company that we invest in isnt meant for Alison Rapaport Stillman and I know that, she said. By: Julia Hanna, Demographics-Race-African American, Black, Alumna-Led Reproductive Health Startup Raises $4.7 Million. To raise a child it takes a village. Marc and Sheri Huttner Rapaport are the proud parents of Dan Rapaport who raised him in the serene setting of Los Angeles. Those include "business opportunity, founder fit, business model, and mission alignment," she told Insider by email. Venture capitalists tend to believe in founders who feel familiar and thereby move forward to fund them. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; This isnt new for me, she says. The firm is headquartered in San Francisco Bay Area, West Coast, and the Western US. August 10, 2022, 5:31 AM PDT. Venture is one of the most inequitable places to work. WebAlison Rapaport Stillman, Serena Ventures. 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.. You can also reach out to them oninfo@aysasia.com, Your email address will not be published. As the famous story goes, I came over with tacos and a binder of pitches. NFL insider Ian has a brother named Jake Rapaport. I dont gamble. Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. 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. WebDiscover any aliases as well as possible relatives and associates of Alison Rapaport Stillman. 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. Alison graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. 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. SistersInc. As she learned more about the world of funding, Williams was shocked by the inequities. subcat: '', Serena Ventures most notable exits include The Wing and OLLY. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Thanks for being part of ours! Business partners. Behavioral Aspects in Decision Making (Part 2), Emerging trends in Life Insurance and how to choose the right plan. Accelerating the success of female founders and funders to build a more prosperous, equitable future. 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 Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. I hurriedly picked a dress, which luckily fit, and jumped on the call. She is the first athlete ever to hit Forbes list of the Worlds Richest Self-Made Women. Dog mom . 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. Serena Ventures investments include MasterClass, Andela, Mayvenn, Tonal and Noom, to name a few. Alison Stillman's job functions are Entrepreneurship, Operations, Alison Stillman's LinkedIn profile can be found at, https://linkedin.com/in/aliso***illman-cfa***. playerId: '783ef340-6832-4112-80cd-0e5f57b51915' Their most recent acquisition was on May 27, 2021, when Infinite Objects raised $6M.Serena Ventures has made 21 diversity investments. 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. With Sheri and Marc's established careers, the Full Swing star enjoyed a secure upbringing and affluent lifestyle during childhood. pos: 'right_rail_2', According to Zola, Dan and his future wife Emma have set their wedding date for June 10, 2023, in the scenic landscape of Chicago. Besides, Marc stars in the new Netflix docu-series about the PGA golf tour, "Full Swing," which premiered on February 15, 2023. 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. It's your baby. page_type: 'article', Nacho lover kw: 'mandc,black-venture-capitalists,newsletter-lead,serena-ventures,serena-williams,vc', One meeting led to another and the next thing you know, Im working at Serena Ventures. Alison: I took my first call with Serena from a bridal store while trying on bridesmaid dresses for a friends wedding. 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. Alison Rapaport is a Partner at Serena Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund founded by tennis superstar Serena Williams in 2014. It is important to us that the founder has a personal connection to the problem and is uniquely positioned to solve it. Serena Williams, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures and Alison Rapaport Stillman, founding and managing partner at Serena Ventures. 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. } Serena agrees that there is a social purpose to that decision. As a Senior Associate, Veronica sources, conducts diligence, and provides portfolio support at 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. Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014. 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. While both individuals may have similar last names, they are not bonded. Alison Stillman has been with Serena Ventures for a few months and is in Owner What is Alison Stillman's role in Serena Ventures? That is exactly what we are going to talk about in this article. Sep 10, 2022, 7:00 AM Serena Williams and Alison Rapaport Stillman. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', About 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. 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. 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. Managing partner Serena Williams and general partner Alison Rapaport Stillman have backed about 20 companies with Serena Ventures' first fund. Registry of Corporate Directors. Plenty of its portfolio companies come from Silicon Valley, but two of its most recent investments came from North Carolina and Wisconsin. She works alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams in overseeing the business and sourcing new investments. The founder should find people with experience or a particular skill set to offer advice to prepare them for the ups and downs. Dana Iverson is a contributing writer at All Raise. Thats my job, to make the unfamiliar familiar she said. 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. She is so much more than just the worlds best tennis player. 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.. 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. Marc works as a credit approval principal at Thorofare Capital. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', WebThe General partner is Alison Rapport Stillman. 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.. Serena Ventures doesnt require that its founders come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, though it says about three-quarters of its portfolio company founders do. Alison J. Rapaport, CFA, is a Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments.