KARA NORTMAN

Kara Nortman stands as a pioneering figure in the venture capital landscape, currently serving as a Managing Partner at Monarch Collective. This innovative fund is singularly focused on unlocking the immense potential within women's sports, recognizing it as a rapidly growing, underserved market ripe for significant investment and transformation. Nortman's leadership at Monarch Collective is instrumental in identifying and nurturing businesses that are shaping the future of athletic endeavors, fan engagement, and media within the women's sports ecosystem.

At Monarch Collective, Kara Nortman's investment focus spans a wide array of critical sectors. This includes cutting-edge sports technology, digital media platforms dedicated to women's sports, innovative fan engagement strategies, and athlete-led ventures. The fund also targets opportunities in health and wellness solutions tailored for female athletes, and infrastructure supporting the professionalization and growth of women's leagues and teams. Her strategic vision is to not only generate strong financial returns but also to drive meaningful impact by elevating the visibility, value, and commercial viability of women's sports globally.

Nortman's distinguished career background provides a robust foundation for her current role. Prior to co-founding Monarch Collective, she was a highly respected Partner at Upfront Ventures, one of the largest and most active venture capital firms in Southern California. During her tenure at Upfront, she played a pivotal role in identifying and scaling numerous successful companies across consumer, digital media, marketplaces, and SaaS sectors. Her portfolio involvement included notable names such as Ring (acquired by Amazon), thredUP, and Parachute Home, showcasing her keen eye for disruptive innovation and market leadership.

Beyond her investment prowess, Kara Nortman is a recognized advocate for diversity and inclusion within the tech and venture capital communities. She co-founded All Raise, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the success of female founders and funders. This initiative has significantly contributed to fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment for women in technology. Her journey also includes co-founding Seedling, a children's product company, and holding key roles at IAC, demonstrating a diverse operational and strategic background before her deep dive into venture capital.

Through Monarch Collective, Kara Nortman is not just investing capital; she is investing in a movement. Her commitment to empowering women's sports through strategic funding and expert guidance positions her as a transformative leader. She is actively building an ecosystem where female athletes, teams, and related businesses can thrive, ensuring that the economic and cultural impact of women's sports reaches its full, deserved potential. Her work is creating a lasting legacy, proving that investing in women's sports is not only socially impactful but also a smart economic decision.