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ALIAVIA Ventures is a California-based venture capital firm founded in January 2023. The firm was established by Marisa Warren and Kate Vale, both experienced tech operators, to address the funding gap faced by female founders in the technology sector. ALIAVIA focuses on early-stage investments in companies led by women, specifically those with at least one female founder. The firm operates primarily in the United States and Australia, facilitating the scaling of Australian startups into the U.S. market and vice versa.
As of now, ALIAVIA Ventures manages a fund size of approximately $9 million, with a portfolio that includes 13 companies. The team comprises seasoned investors and operators who have a proven track record in scaling tech businesses from pre-seed to IPO. The firm has also supported 175 women founders, who have collectively raised over $120 million in funding, showcasing its commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs.
ALIAVIA Ventures has achieved notable milestones, including 7 exits through its pre-accelerator program, ELEVACAO. This program is designed to provide strategic advice, tactical execution support, and training to portfolio companies, helping them navigate market entry and growth strategies.
ALIAVIA Ventures invests in early-stage technology companies that are female-founded and led, specifically targeting sectors such as AI, HealthTech, FinTech, EdTech, SaaS, and Media. The firm’s investment strategy emphasizes supporting companies in both the U.S. and Australia, with a particular focus on facilitating the scaling of Australian companies into the U.S. market and vice versa. ALIAVIA seeks to invest in pre-seed, seed, seed+, and Series A stages, with typical check sizes ranging from $250,000 to $750,000.
The firm believes that women-founded technology companies are structurally underfunded yet have the potential to outperform when provided with adequate capital, networks, and operational support. ALIAVIA Ventures looks for startups that not only have a female founder in a significant equity and leadership role but also demonstrate the ability to bridge the U.S. and Australian markets. Their investment thesis is centered around the conviction that female-led companies can thrive with the right backing, particularly in the technology sector.
ALIAVIA Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of 13 companies, focusing on innovative technology solutions across various sectors. Notable portfolio companies include:
Through its investments, ALIAVIA Ventures aims to support female founders in navigating the complexities of market entry and growth, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed.
Marisa Warren — Founder & Managing Partner. Marisa has 18 years of experience in enterprise software sales across North America and Australia, with prior roles at SAP, Microsoft, and Workday. She is also the founder of ELEVACAO, a pre-accelerator program supporting female founders.
Kate Vale — Co-Founder. Kate previously served as Managing Director at Google/YouTube Australia and New Zealand and was instrumental in launching and leading Spotify in the region. She has extensive experience in scaling technology businesses from early stage to IPO.
Janvi Patel — IC Member. Janvi is the chair and founder of Halebury, which successfully exited to Elevate Services. She brings a wealth of experience in legal and operational aspects of startups.
Alexis Versandi — Venture Partner & IC Member. Alexis has held positions at Morgan Stanley, Marshall Wace, Advent Capital Management, and Avenue Capital Group, providing her with a strong background in finance and investment.
Levi Aron — Venture Partner. Levi has served as the Chief Growth Officer in the U.S. at Zip Co and was the Chief Revenue Officer at SevenRooms. He also held the position of Australian CEO at Deliveroo, bringing valuable operational insights to the firm.
Craig Weaver — IC Member & LP. Craig has experience with three private-equity exits and has worked at Baker Tilly, Squar Milner, and PwC, contributing financial expertise to the team.
To pitch ALIAVIA Ventures, founders should visit their website at aliavia.vc. The firm has an open pitch policy and accepts applications on a rolling basis. While specific email addresses for pitches are not disclosed, the website serves as the primary channel for submissions. Founders should include a clear overview of their business model, market opportunity, and the role of female leadership in their startup.
Response times may vary, and founders are encouraged to be patient after submitting their pitches. ALIAVIA Ventures values thorough and well-prepared presentations that align with their investment thesis focused on female-led technology companies.
As of April 2023, ALIAVIA Ventures has made 13 investments and achieved 7 exits through its pre-accelerator program, ELEVACAO. The firm has actively supported 175 women founders who have collectively raised over $120 million in funding. This indicates a strong engagement in empowering female entrepreneurs and addressing gender funding disparities in the technology sector.
In recent months, ALIAVIA Ventures has been featured in various media outlets, including TechCrunch, highlighting its mission to support female-led startups and its unique approach to bridging the U.S. and Australian markets. The firm continues to seek new investment opportunities that align with its focus on early-stage technology companies led by women.
What are ALIAVIA Ventures' investment criteria?
ALIAVIA Ventures focuses on early-stage technology companies with at least one female founder holding a significant equity stake and a C-level role. The firm invests in sectors such as AI, HealthTech, FinTech, EdTech, SaaS, and Media.
How can I pitch to ALIAVIA Ventures?
Founders can pitch their startups through the firm's website at aliavia.vc. The firm maintains an open pitch policy and accepts applications on a rolling basis.
What makes ALIAVIA Ventures different from other VC firms?
ALIAVIA Ventures specifically targets female-founded companies, addressing the gender funding gap in the technology sector. The firm provides not only capital but also strategic advice, tactical execution support, and access to networks that can help female founders succeed.
What is the typical check size for investments?
ALIAVIA Ventures typically invests between $250,000 and $750,000 in its portfolio companies, depending on the stage and needs of the startup.
What geographic areas does ALIAVIA Ventures focus on?
The firm primarily invests in companies located in the United States and Australia, facilitating cross-market scaling opportunities.
What kind of support do portfolio companies receive?
ALIAVIA Ventures offers strategic advice, tactical execution support, training, and e-learning resources to help portfolio companies navigate market entry, go-to-market strategies, hiring, and fundraising.
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