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Alicia Robb is the Founder and CEO of Next Wave Impact, an early-stage impact fund and global angel investor syndicate based in Boulder, Colorado. She previously served as a Senior Fellow at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and held research roles at the Federal Reserve Board and UC Berkeley. Through Next Wave Impact, she has mobilized hundreds of emerging angel investors to back dozens of diverse-led startups, while also hosting the annual Founders of Color Showcase in 2023 and 2024. Holding a doctorate in economics, she has co-authored multiple academic texts on entrepreneurial success and gender gaps in venture capital, including publications released through MIT Press. Her current focus remains on bridging finance and social change by directing early-stage venture capital toward underrepresented, women, and BIPOC founders operating in the climate tech and fintech sectors.
Alicia Robb is a prominent investor at Next Wave Impact, an organization dedicated to increasing the number of women angels and investing in women-led companies. In her role, Alicia brings a wealth of knowledge and a strategic vision to identify and nurture promising early-stage ventures. Her investment philosophy is deeply rooted in fostering inclusive entrepreneurship, focusing on companies that not only demonstrate strong growth potential but also contribute to a more equitable economic landscape. She actively seeks out and supports businesses led by women and diverse founders, aligning perfectly with Next Wave Impact's mission to drive both financial returns and social impact.
Before her impactful work as an investor, Alicia Robb established herself as a leading economist and a prolific researcher in the field of entrepreneurship. She served as a Senior Fellow at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a renowned organization dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship. During her tenure, she conducted extensive research on various facets of new venture creation, small business growth, and the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs. Her groundbreaking work includes co-founding the Diana Project, a global research initiative focused on understanding women's access to venture capital and angel funding. This research has been instrumental in shaping policies and practices aimed at supporting women in business.
Alicia's academic contributions are vast, with numerous publications in prestigious journals and several books to her name. Her research has provided critical insights into the dynamics of entrepreneurial ecosystems, highlighting disparities and advocating for greater access to capital and resources for underrepresented groups. This deep analytical background informs her investment decisions, allowing her to assess not just market potential but also the strength of the founding team and the broader societal impact of a venture.
Her investment focus at Next Wave Impact spans a variety of sectors, typically targeting innovative companies in technology, healthcare, consumer products, and sustainable solutions. She is particularly drawn to ventures that are poised for significant disruption and offer scalable solutions to existing problems. While specific portfolio companies are often confidential or not widely publicized, her investments consistently reflect her commitment to empowering entrepreneurs who are building the next generation of impactful businesses. Alicia Robb's unique blend of academic rigor, research expertise, and hands-on investment experience makes her a formidable force in the angel investing community, driving capital towards ventures that promise both financial success and meaningful change.
Alicia Robb is a distinguished investor at Next Wave Impact, a renowned economist, and a leading researcher in entrepreneurship. She is also known for co-founding the Diana Project, which studies women's access to venture capital, and for her work as a Senior Fellow at the Kauffman Foundation.
Alicia Robb primarily invests in early-stage, high-growth companies, with a particular focus on ventures led by women and diverse founders. Her portfolio often includes innovative businesses in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and consumer products, all aligning with Next Wave Impact's mission to drive both financial returns and social impact.
Alicia Robb works as an investor at Next Wave Impact, an organization dedicated to increasing the number of women angels and investing in women-led companies.
