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Donna Harris is the Founder and CEO of Builders + Backers and a General Partner at 1776 Ventures, based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She previously served as Managing Director of the Startup America Partnership, working alongside investor Steve Case, and was the Founder and CEO of Centriq. In 2020, Harris established Builders + Backers to distribute initial micro-investments known as Pebble Funds to early-stage founders, later partnering with Heartland Forward in 2021 to scale the firm's Idea Accelerator across multiple mid-American cities to fund thousands of entrepreneurial experiments. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan and a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University. Her current investment strategy focuses on early-stage venture capital, civic technology, and regional economic development within heavily regulated industries such as education, health, and energy.
Donna Harris stands as a pivotal figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as a General Partner at 1776, a renowned global incubator and seed fund. Her role at 1776 involves leading investment strategies, identifying promising early-stage startups, and providing strategic guidance to portfolio companies. Harris is instrumental in shaping 1776's mission to support entrepreneurs building companies that address critical challenges, often within highly regulated sectors such as education, health, energy, government, transportation, and finance.
Her investment focus areas are broad but consistently center on innovative technology solutions. She seeks out companies that demonstrate strong product-market fit, scalable business models, and a clear vision for impact. Donna Harris is particularly drawn to founders who are tackling complex problems with fresh perspectives and leveraging technology to create efficiencies and new opportunities in traditional industries. Her deep understanding of both startup dynamics and policy environments makes her an invaluable advisor to the companies she backs.
Donna's career background is marked by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and significant achievements. Prior to her leadership role at 1776, she co-founded several successful ventures, including Cvent, a leading event management software company that went public. This firsthand experience as a founder gives her a unique empathy and insight into the challenges and triumphs of building a company from the ground up. She also served as the Managing Director of the Startup America Partnership, a national initiative to accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship, further solidifying her commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth through startups.
While specific individual notable investments by Donna Harris are often part of 1776's broader portfolio, her influence is evident in the fund's track record of backing impactful companies. 1776 has invested in hundreds of startups across various sectors, many of which have gone on to achieve significant milestones, secure further funding, or be acquired. Her strategic guidance has helped numerous founders navigate the complexities of early-stage growth, fundraising, and market expansion, reinforcing her reputation as a highly effective and respected investor and mentor in the startup ecosystem.
Donna Harris is a General Partner at 1776, a global incubator and seed fund. She is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with a focus on early-stage technology companies, particularly those disrupting regulated industries.
Donna Harris invests in early-stage technology companies, often those operating in regulated sectors like education, health, energy, government, transportation, and finance. She looks for scalable solutions and innovative founders.
Donna Harris works as a General Partner at 1776, a global incubator and seed fund dedicated to supporting and investing in high-growth startups.
