JEN RUBIO BUTTERFIELD

Jen Rubio Butterfield stands as a highly influential figure in the venture capital and consumer brand landscape. As a General Partner at Forerunner Ventures, a leading early-stage venture capital firm, she brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience and strategic insight to her investment decisions. Forerunner Ventures is renowned for backing visionary founders who are building the next generation of consumer companies, and Butterfield plays a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing these opportunities.

Her investment focus at Forerunner Ventures spans a wide array of sectors, including innovative consumer brands, direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses, e-commerce platforms, and technology solutions that enhance the consumer experience. Leveraging her deep understanding of brand building, customer acquisition, and operational scaling, Jen Rubio Butterfield seeks out companies poised for significant market disruption and growth. She is particularly interested in businesses that demonstrate strong brand affinity, unique value propositions, and a clear path to sustainable market leadership.

Before joining Forerunner Ventures, Jen Rubio Butterfield achieved widespread recognition as the co-founder of Away, the highly successful travel lifestyle brand. Under her leadership, Away revolutionized the luggage industry with its thoughtfully designed products and direct-to-consumer business model, quickly becoming a household name. Her journey with Away provided invaluable firsthand experience in building a beloved brand from the ground up, navigating complex supply chains, and fostering a vibrant community of customers. This entrepreneurial background uniquely positions her to empathize with and effectively advise the founders she invests in.

Prior to co-founding Away, Butterfield honed her expertise in branding and marketing at various prominent companies, including Warby Parker and AllSaints, further solidifying her understanding of consumer behavior and brand development. Her career trajectory showcases a consistent dedication to innovation within the consumer sector, making her an invaluable asset to the Forerunner Ventures team and its portfolio companies. While specific individual angel investments are often private, her involvement at Forerunner means she contributes to a portfolio that has historically included groundbreaking companies across consumer tech, health and wellness, and fintech, among others.

Jen Rubio Butterfield's strategic vision, coupled with her operational acumen and passion for empowering founders, makes her a sought-after investor and advisor. Her work at Forerunner Ventures continues to shape the future of consumer commerce by identifying and supporting the next wave of transformative brands and technologies.