Women in Venture Capital

A Conversation with Sonja Perkins, Founder of Broadway Angels and Project Glimmer | Menlo Ventures | Symantec | TA Associates | MBA @ Harvard Business School

• Rashveena and Anvita (Harvard Business School)

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0:00 | 20:18

In this episode, we talk to Sonja about her long and successful career in venture capital, including becoming the youngest GP at Menlo Ventures and investing in companies such as TheRealReal, Q1 Labs and many more. Sonja walks us through how Broadway Angels, an investment group made up of women, came about and what her experience has been being the only woman in many rooms. Finally, she shares some advice on how to break into and navigate VC as an aspiring female investor. 

Here's a quick summary of our conversation with Tasneem.

  • What motivated you to start a fund and what was the process like? 1:26
    • What motivated her to start a fund.
    • How the process of starting a fund started.
  • How are you dealing with finding and funding companies in such a changing market environment? 3:39
    • Building a network and keeping relationships with entrepreneurs.
    • Finding and funding companies in a changing market.
  • Investing in companies that are ready for the market. 5:52
    • Looking for market readiness in the companies they invest in.
    • Investing in serial entrepreneurs.
  • Golden Seeds and the mission of the organization. 7:46
    • The mission and mission of golden seeds.
    • The role reversal in angel investing.
  • How do we address the lack of funding and coaching for female founders? 10:14
    • How to address the lack of funding and coaching for female founders.
    • More female investors.
  • The importance of getting more women in top positions. 13:31
    • Only 20 women have ever led an IPO(!)
    • Access to capital is crucial.
  • What are your hopes and aspirations for the next generation of female funders and founders? 14:57
    • Hopes and aspirations for the next generation of female funders and founders.
    • Advice for funders.