top of page

Search Results

10 items found for ""

  • Serena Ventures - The Serena Williams-backed VC Fund

    PLAY TO WIN Through a champion mindset and unparalleled network, we empower founders to change the world. SV NEWS SV TEAM See what’s new and now at Serena Ventures Get to know the people behind SV WORK FOR SV Check out our open positions CONTACT SV Join our inclusive founder community GET SOCIAL

  • Serena Ventures Investments

    Founders from Fund 1 Investments WE WRITE CHECKS THAT POWER CHANGE FOR THE RECORD FEATURED INVESTMENTS ESUSU Fintech Esusu is a company that allows renters to acquire credit for their on-time rental payments, proving to be a win-win addition for renters and property managers alike. With the implementation of Esusu, property managers see a 25% increase in on-time payments, while residents experience an average increase of 51 points to their credit score within 18 months. CALICO E-Commerce Calico is a supply chain management platform helping brands get to market faster and with fewer production errors. They connect retail companies with a network of highly vetted and sustainable factories to ensure the best quality and efficiency, providing centralized communication, design and production all in one place. PARFAIT Beauty Parfait is a female-founded wig customization platform, providing all women with a seamless virtual experience and offering a wide range of styles to choose from.. They use AI and advanced facial recognition software to provide a perfect fit through their website. OUR PORTFOLIO To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Check Fund 1 > Check Angel > | SEIZE YOUR MOMENT Work with Serena Ventures .

  • SV Careers | SERENA VENTURES

    JOIN THE SV COMMUNITY Check out fresh opportunities to lend your talents and skills to our growing portfolio companies. NO OPENINGS AVAILABLE Although we don't currently have open positions, our portfolio companies post opportunities often. Follow SV on social media to keep tabs on the latest openings.

  • Competition | SERENA VENTURES

    The Serena Ventures 2023 pitch competition in partnership with Black Women in Venture Capital and powered by LinkedIn aims to disrupt the venture landscape and uplift Black and Brown founders. In an ecosystem where Black founders receive 1.2%, Serena Ventures breaks the mold. We’re proud to rep a portfolio of founders largely from historically underrepresented backgrounds and we’re looking for the next class of innovators. Applications received via the website will be reviewed by professionals across S Ventures and BWiVC. Applications will be reviewed by the S Ventures team Five (5) finalists will be selected to pitch live on-stage this summer at LinkedIn’s offices in NYC in front of a full audience, Serena Williams, and industry expert judges. First place will receive a $100,000 investment, $50,000 for second place, $15,000 for third. In addition to capital investment, winners become part of the Serena Ventures team of founders with access to a network of unparalleled partners and resources. Enter in now through until June 5, 2023, 11:59 PM PST APPLY NOW Eligibility Requirements for Applicants: Eligible teams must include at least one founding team member that identifies as Black/African/African American and or Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx. A founding member is a team member who has the title of CEO or other C-level role (e.g., the CEO or an executive-level direct report to the CEO). Be a for-profit venture in the fields of consumer products and services, enterprise SaaS, healthcare, fintech, edtech, media and entertainment, climate tech, generative ai, technology and/or ecommerce. Are already, or intend to be, legally incorporated in the U.S. Have demonstrated progress against a business concept as illustrated by a minimum viable product and/or existing consumer base. Have raised less than $1M in dilutive funding at time of applying for the award. All team members must be at least eighteen (18) years of age APPLY NOW PARTNERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH POWERED BY USEFUL LINKS: ​ Frequently Asked Questions Terms and Conditions

  • SV Team | Serena Ventures

    WE PLAN, WE PLAY WE WIN We do VC differently through standout strategies, bold initiatives, and a global network of investors, business leaders, and influencers. SERENA WILLIAMS MANAGING PARTNER As a world-class athlete, businesswoman, philanthropist and mother, Serena Williams knows what it takes to win. She has persevered to become one of the top tennis players in history with 23 Grand Slam titles. Serena began actively investing nine years ago when she saw the impact that startups had on everyday lives; in building Serena Ventures, she has been able to multiply that effort. Alison Rapaport Stillman is a Founding General Partner at Serena Ventures, overseeing portfolio management and sourcing new investments. In addition to growing the reach and impact of the SV portfolio, Alison is the person founders turn to when they need pointed advice, detailed feedback, and tough love. Alison holds a BS from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a CFA charterholder. ALISON RAPAPORT STILLMAN GENERAL PARTNER OUR TEAM DE’HAVIA STEWART INVESTOR De’Havia Stewart is an investor at Serena Ventures, where she is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing deals. She has interest in early stage investing across Embedded Finance, Digital Health, and B2B SaaS. De’Havia brings 3 years of early stage investing experience, in which she helped deploy $100M+ in capital. Aside from day-to-day work, De’Havia volunteers in leadership positions with non-profits focused on decreasing the funding gap such as BLCK VC and HBCUvc. De’Havia began her career in consulting at Accenture Strategy, where she gained project experience within M&A, Operating Model Strategy, and Digital Strategy. PARIS KOKA ANALYST Paris is an Analyst at Serena Ventures, assisting with sourcing and evaluating deals, and performing market research. She also is involved in marketing and digital strategy. Paris holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Claremont McKenna College, and has prior experience in finance and research. OUR STORY Through a champion mindset and unparalleled network, we empower founders to change the world. Since 2014, Serena Ventures has advocated for founders who exemplify innovation, while promoting the emergence of companies from women and people of color. We believe that investors should be catalysts for change, which is why we invest in products and ideas that unlock doors for founders and adds value for investors, creating opportunities for an enhanced way of living for us all. KYRA MCCARTY OPERATIONS MANAGER Kyra is the Operations Manager for Serena Ventures where she oversees the day-to-day operations for the team and helps manage LPs, Portfolio Founders, and prospective investment companies. She comes to Serena Ventures from Equitable Advisors, where she worked as an Investment Operations Specialist. Kyra holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Bachelor of Science in Math from Southern Methodist University. OLIVIA GRIFFIAN CHIEF OF STAFF TO SERENA WILLIAMS Prior to joining Serena Ventures, Olivia launched her first startup, SevenSkin Beauty, a skincare company that combines science with technology and education. Her success led her to venture capital, where her interests include women’s health, retail, and child development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Family, Youth & Community Science from the University of Florida. WE ARE

  • Contact SV | SERENA VENTURES

    CONTACT For press inquiries reach out to pr@serenaventures.com

  • SV News | Serena Ventures

    NEWS Get an inside look at Serena Ventures, from our founders and investments to special projects and events. KID-FOCUSED SHORT VIDEO APP ZIGAZOO LAUNCHES A TIKTOK COMPETITOR FOR GEN Z Zigazoo, the startup known for its TikTok-style video-sharing app for kids, is launching a separate app targeted at Gen Z users. The new app will take the flagship name and is meant for ages 13 and older, whereas the original kid-focused app is for Generation Alpha (3-12) and has been rebranded to “Zigazoo Kids.” Previous users in the younger age range will be automatically migrated to Zigazoo Kids. Zigazoo is invite-only and launched on Saturday, March 25. READ >>> MORE ESUSU PARTNERS WITH SURE TO OFFER RENTER'S INSURANCE TO ITS NATIONWIDE COMMUNITY Sure, the insurance technology leader that unlocks the potential of digital insurance, today announced it has partnered with Esusu, the leading financial technology company leveraging rent reporting for credit building, to offer renters insurance through the Esusu Renters Marketplace. Esusu... is now using Sure's digital insurance infrastructure to provide renters insurance to the millions of Americans shut out of the financial system. READ >>> MORE SERENA VENTURES BACKS SOLO FUNDS AS FINANCE PLATFORM TOPS 1M REGISTERED USERS SoLo Funds has acquired over 1 million registered users and over 1.3 million downloads to make it “the largest and first Black-owned personal finance platform” to do so, Rodney Williams, co-founder and president of SoLo, told TechCrunch. The community finance company defines the claim “as a business-to-consumer personal finance banking solution, U.S.-based and Black-owned with registered users or downloads above 1 million. Black-owned is defined as Black majority ownership.” READ >>> MORE STEARS SWITCHES ON NIGERIA’S FIRST REAL-TIME ELECTIONS TRACKER FOR THE 2023 POLLS In 2019, an interactive map and dashboard created by Stears, a data and media company, displayed results in near real-time as they were announced by INEC, Nigeria’s elections organizer. It was the first such platform for election results in Africa’s largest democracy. Fresh from a recently closed $3.3 million round of funding in which Serena Williams’ venture capital fund participated, Stears has relaunched the election service on November 7th ahead of the coming polls. READ >>> MORE HOW ESUSU’S COFOUNDERS TURNED 326 REJECTIONS (AND A LONG NIGHT OUT IN THE COLD) INTO A UNICORN On this episode of Fortune‘s Leadership Next podcast, co-hosts Alan Murray and Ellen McGirt talk with Esusu cofounder and co-CEO Wemimo Abbey, who earned a spot on the 2022 Fortune 40 Under 40 list. They discuss the company’s business model—which helps renters and lower-income Americans build their credit while maintaining secure housing—and what drives its success. They also cover what Abbey and Esusu’s cofounder and co-CEO, Samir Goel, went through on the way to turning the company into a unicorn. READ >>> MORE TEAL HEALTH ANNOUNCES AN $8.8M ROUND TO TACKLE CERVICAL CANCER Female-focused telehealth startup, Teal Health, is popping up today to announce an $8.8 million seed round with a roster of heavy-hitting investors on board — including Serena Williams’ Serena Ventures, Chelsea Clinton’s Metrodora Ventures, and Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective. The February 2020-founded San Francisco-based startup’s first product will be a service that supports women to collect their own samples for cervical cancer screening in the comfort of their own homes. READ >>> MORE ZITTI SOAKS UP SOME FUNDING SAUCE SO RESTAURANTS CAN MANAGE THEIR FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN “Our objective to save [restaurants] money on their food costs... ideally many times over, so it’s been received incredibly well,” [Founder and CEO Dante DiCicco] added. “We’ve already had a significant amount of conversions from our pilot group to become customers.” The company is now back with $3.5 million in a seed round co-led by Oceans Ventures and Serena Ventures with Crossbeam, its pre-seed investor, also participating. READ >>> MORE SERENA WILLIAMS BETS ON THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR TOPICAL PAIN RELIEF MARKET WITH A NEW COMPANY “My trainer said, ‘He who recovers best is the one who wins,’” Williams said, according to Forbes. “We all as athletes are putting our body on the line every single day. It’s so important to be able to recover.” The tennis star felt her latest venture was timely because in all her years of playing on the field, there seemed to never be the right product to relieve her soreness. Now, she is betting on herself to find the solutions she wishes existed during her time. READ >>> MORE JUNO RAISES MILLIONS TO PROVIDE FAMILY-FIRST HEALTHCARE FROM INGLEWOOD TO HARLEM Hinson, Juno’s founder and CEO and a physician by trade, is building a healthcare model that offers in-person care in diverse neighborhoods across the country. The startup’s modern take on a healthcare visit means that it competes with heavyweights such as One Medical and CityBlock Health. But that hasn’t stopped investors from recently leading a $12 million Series A in the startup, a round co-led by Serena Ventures and NEXT VENTŪRES. READ >>> MORE ELLE FEATURE: I USED AN AI SOFTWARE TO MAKE A WIG Like everything else in life, Black women are obliged to deal with the limitations imposed upon them. And when it comes to the wig-buying procedure, this includes limited parting space, low, thin hair density from root to ends, and a significant amount of shedding. There was a new lesson to be learned for every unskilled overseas vendor who was uninterested in learning about the market and consumers they were selling to. READ >>> MORE UNICORNS: DIGITIZING AFRICAN ECONOMIES IN A NEW ERA Wemimo Abbey, co-founder of Esusu, a company which reports rent payments to major credit bureaus helping renters establish their credit scores and owners maximize returns, says the company was born out of personal struggles. Wemimo grew up in the slums of Lagos, Nigeria, and was raised by his mother, along with two sisters, after his father passed away when he was just two years old. Despite having less than a secondary school education, his mother ensured he went to one of the best high schools they could find. This took the family from the lush tropical climate of Lagos to the freezing climes of Minnesota in the US. READ >>> MORE SERENA VENTURES JOINS MaC TO BACK NIGERIAN DATA FIRM STEARS “One of the main reasons I invested in Stears is not because of my love and appreciation for Africa, but because Stears has strategically thought of how to increase the investment community on the continent,” Williams said in an emailed statement. “They’re aware of the complexities and have leverage with data and technology and I truly respect what they’re doing.” READ >>> MORE HALP, THE DIGITAL STUDY ABROAD COACHING PLATFORM, RAISES $4M LED BY LERER HIPPEAU AND SERENA VENTURES “Halp makes learning accessible for everyone, starting with international admissions coaching,” said Matthew McLellan, co-founder, and CEO of Halp. “Studying abroad is a catalyst to evening the global socio-economic playing field. We help students manage the entire journey on-platform, supported by a personal coach - for free. We make the experience simple, online, affordable, and more effective. Halp drives above-market placement rates and allows students to graduate with less debt - at scale.” READ >>> MORE YC-BACKED FINTECH NUMIDA RAISES $12.3M LED BY SERENA VENTURES TO EXTEND LOANS TO MSMEs BEYOND UGANDA Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa make up the bulk — over 90% — of businesses in the continent but are still marginalized in accessing credit from formal institutions because of the nature of their operations. To bridge the gap, Uganda-based fintech Numida has opted to focus its digital lending business on small enterprises as part of its strategy for driving financial inclusion in emerging markets. READ >>> MORE JUSTINE SKYE TAPS INTO THE $13B WIG INDUSTRY STARTING WITH A COLLECTION UNDER PARFAIT, A BLACK-OWNED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WIG BRAND Justine Skye is tapping into the $13 billion wig industry with the help of Parfait, a Black-owned artificial intelligence wig brand. The singer will be launching a line in partnership with Parfait to bring you the best wigs in the game. READ >>> MORE ALISON STILLMAN, SERENA WILLIAMS' CO-INVESTOR, SHARES WHAT COMES NEXT FOR THE ATHLETE’S VENTURE FIRM “I feel like I go to sleep getting messages from her and wake up getting messages from her,” says Alison Rapaport Stillman, who is Serena Ventures’ general partner. “Nothing’s going to replace what tennis was for her, but as she’s thinking about what’s next—it’s exciting to see her as passionate about this as you see her on the court.” READ >>> MORE SELENA GOMEZ’S MENTAL HEALTH STARTUP WONDERMIND GETS $100 MILLION VALUATION A startup cofounded by Selena Gomez, Wondermind, is raising funds at a valuation of $100 million as it looks to capitalize on a boom in the mindfulness trend. Tennis icon Serena Williams’s venture fund, Serena Ventures, led the $5 million early-stage round. READ >>> MORE SHOPPINGGIVES EARNS SHOPIFY PLUS CERTIFICATION ShoppingGives, the social impact commerce platform that is recognized as a top solution for eCommerce and omnichannel brands to create purposeful and profitable customer relationships, today announced that its Shopify app has received Shopify Plus Certification. This certification recognizes ShoppingGives' ongoing 5-star reviews and excellent customer support infrastructure as well as the technology's top-tier security and technical performance. READ >>> MORE ESUSU CO-FOUNDER WEMIMO ABBEY ANNOUNCED AS PART OF THE 2022 CLASS OF BLOOMBERG NEW ECONOMY CATALYSTS Founded in 2021, Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts are a global community of public and private sector innovators, visionaries, scientists, policymakers and entrepreneurs who are radically reshaping the new economy. READ >>> MORE SERENA WILLIAMS TALKS INVESTING, BUILDING ON SUCCESS AT CINCINNATI'S BLACK TECH WEEK Hundreds of techies from around the country gathered at Cincinnati Musical Hall for the highlight of the annual Black Tech Week conference. Serena Williams, arguably the greatest female tennis player ever, talked about her newest venture: funding startups. READ >>> MORE LILLII RNB CLOSES $3M SEED ROUND WITH FUNDING FROM SERENA VENTURES AND APERTURE VENTURES CAPITAL TO ACCELERATE GROWTH Lillii RNB Inc., a retail fraud detection, prevention, and data services firm, today announced the closing of its $3 million seed round co-led by Serena Ventures and Aperture Venture Capital. Lillii RNB’s proprietary Returns Management and Total Retail Loss platform, Freeing ReturnsTM, assists retailers in optimizing their returns processes and identifying fraud and loss that is hidden in their own data. Lillii RNB’s mission is to greatly reduce the over $400B in retail loss that retailers experience each year. READ >>> MORE CALICO ATTRACTS SERENA WILLIAMS TO $2.1M SEED TO BUILD FASHION SUPPLY CHAIN SOFTWARE A few years ago Kathleen Chan , the CEO and founder of Calico , launched a couple of small fashion companies, but as those companies scaled quickly with the help of Shopify and Facebook ads, she noted a lack of tools to help her manage the back office of a business specifically geared to fashion. READ >>> MORE WEB3 STARTUP NESTCOIN RAISES $6.45M IN PRE-SEED CAPITAL TO MAKE CRYPTO MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR AFRICA Nestcoin, a global web3 startup, has raised $6.45 million in pre-seed capital, according to a press release. The Nigeria-based company aims to make crypto accessible primarily in frontier markets and their new funding will go toward their mission. READ >>> MORE CREDIT BUILDING STARTUP ESUSU REACHES UNICORN STATUS, GIVING BOOST TO BOTH DIVERSE FOUNDERS AND RENTERS With a $130 million Series B announced this morning, credit building platform Esusu broke the billion-dollar valuation barrier, making it one of the few startups with a Black founder to reach unicorn status. In the last decade, less than 2% of the unicorns that have emerged in the U.S. have Black founders. READ >>> MORE FOODY COOKS UP MARKETPLACE FOR CULINARY CREATORS Husband-and-wife co-founders Daniel and Brenna Stitzel are developing a way for foodies to monetize their culinary creations and closed on a round of $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to officially launch Foody. READ >>> MORE

  • SV News | Serena Ventures

    NEWS Get an inside look at Serena Ventures, from our founders and investments to special projects and events. Esusu & Fannie Mae Enable 22,000 Renters to Establish Credit Scores Esusu, the leading financial technology company revolutionizing rent reporting and data solutions for credit building, announced new milestones from the company’s collaboration with Fannie Mae today. The latest data underscores the far-reaching impact on more than 224,000 renters enrolled with Esusu, resulting in the creation of 22,155 new credit scores for previously credit-invisible renters and unlocking billions of dollars in capital for low-to-moderate income renters. Wile Women Named on Whole Foods Top 10 Trends for 2024 We’re seeing more brands making products to support periods, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause and even sleep that address life stages and symptoms previously swept under the rug. Food innovators are introducing specially formulated bars and snacks for cycle health, like menopause energy bars, at industry trade shows and conferences. Plus, brands are supporting women’s health in other ways — female care brand Here We Flo makes monthly donations to menstrual charities. Serena Ventures Backed Brand Boss Beauties Acquires BFF To Shape Web3 Future Boss Beauties, the trailblazing media and entertainment brand dedicated to empowering women, has announced its acquisition of BFF, a visionary community committed to educating, connecting, and empowering individuals in emerging technologies. As a proud member of both communities, I've witnessed firsthand the power of these two communities and their combination will mark a pivotal moment in the trajectory of women in the Web3 space. Esusu Co-founders Featured on TIME100 Next 2023 I first heard Wemimo Abbey speak in August at the inaugural TIME Impact House in Martha’s Vineyard. It was clear to everyone that night that Abbey’s is a story worth sharing. Together with Samir Goel, the two co-founders have built Esusu, a five-year-old company that helps Americans use their rental history to build credit scores. Abbey, who emigrated as a 17-year-old to the U.S. from Nigeria, watched his mother struggle to repay a high-interest loan because of a lack of credit history. See More >

bottom of page