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Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures in New York, New York, where she co-leads the venture capital firm founded by tennis champion Serena Williams. She helped raise the firm's inaugural $111 million fund and manages a portfolio of over 60 companies, including notable high-growth startups like MasterClass, Daily Harvest, and Esusu. Her investment strategy targets early-stage consumer technology, fintech, and health sectors, with a strong emphasis on backing diverse and historically underrepresented founders. Before this role, she worked in alternative investments at J.P. Morgan, handled strategy at Wasserman, and gained early venture capital experience at Melo7 Tech Partners. A CFA charterholder who recently spoke at TechCrunch Disrupt, she earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Finance and Operations from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Alison Rapaport Stillman stands as a pivotal figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as a Partner at Serena Ventures. This prominent firm, founded by tennis icon Serena Williams, is dedicated to investing in early-stage companies that are shaping the future across various industries. As a Partner, Alison Rapaport Stillman plays a crucial role in the firm's investment strategy, deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio management, contributing significantly to its mission of backing visionary founders.
At Serena Ventures, Alison Rapaport Stillman's investment focus spans a wide array of high-growth sectors. She is particularly interested in companies innovating within health tech, fintech, consumer brands, the future of work, and enterprise software. Her approach emphasizes identifying disruptive technologies and business models, with a strong commitment to supporting diverse founders and underrepresented entrepreneurs. This aligns perfectly with Serena Ventures' broader ethos of fostering an inclusive and impactful startup ecosystem.
Before her tenure at Serena Ventures, Alison Rapaport Stillman built a robust career foundation that uniquely positions her for success in venture capital. She served as the Chief of Staff for Serena Williams' personal office, an experience that provided her with invaluable insights into brand building, strategic operations, and navigating high-profile ventures. This role honed her ability to manage complex projects and work closely with influential figures, skills directly transferable to guiding early-stage companies.
Prior to her work with Serena Williams, Alison Rapaport Stillman gained significant experience in the financial sector. She held positions at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where she worked in both investment banking and private banking. This background equipped her with a deep understanding of financial markets, corporate strategy, and wealth management, providing a strong analytical framework for evaluating investment opportunities. Her educational background includes a degree from the University of Pennsylvania, further solidifying her analytical capabilities.
Alison Rapaport Stillman's contributions to Serena Ventures extend beyond capital deployment. She is known for her hands-on approach, working closely with portfolio companies to provide strategic guidance, operational support, and access to valuable networks. Her leadership helps these startups navigate the challenges of early-stage growth, scale their operations, and achieve their full potential. Through her work, Alison Rapaport Stillman is not only investing in companies but also in the future of innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly for those who have historically been underserved by traditional venture capital.
Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Partner at Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm founded by Serena Williams. She is an experienced investor with a background in finance and strategic operations, focusing on early-stage companies.
Alison Rapaport Stillman invests in early-stage companies across diverse sectors, including health tech, fintech, consumer brands, the future of work, and enterprise software. She has a strong focus on supporting diverse founders and innovative solutions.
Alison Rapaport Stillman works as a Partner at Serena Ventures, the venture capital firm established by Serena Williams.
