Jennifer Richard
“Working in VC requires the same mentality as working at an early-stage start-up: you wear a lot of hats, and no responsibility is too big or too small. You are in the trenches with a team of people who share a singular vision, working together to get it done.”
Just Mercy, The Handmaid's Tale
The Green Mile
NYT Cooking
A big reason why I'm in this industry is because I want to make an impact. When working with founders I try to be as direct, transparent, and human as possible. I want to get to the "why" behind what you're doing and the impact you hope to make. I'm looking for authentic interactions that disprove the stereotypical VC narrative.
I began riding horses at age three and met Trevor Noah (before he was an A-lister) while studying abroad in Cape Town.
My curiosity for technology was first sparked when I got my hands on a Windows 95 computer and dial-up internet. By 4th grade, I’d taught myself to code and was building websites in all types of nerdy internet communities. Since then, I’ve spent quite some time building on that passion.
I have been an operator in three venture-backed startups (2 of which I was on the founding team) and saw two of them through successful exits. I’ve built e-commerce platforms from the ground up, managed global logistics and support operations, and developed a deep understanding of customers and vertical markets. After 6 years in the operator seat, I decided to transition to venture capital, which allows me to grow and support the ecosystem without being tethered to one role or company.
I’ve received a BA from Emory University, MBA from Berkeley Haas, and am also a Kauffman Fellow. I’m currently based out of my hometown of Los Angeles and couldn’t be more excited to continue building the tech ecosystem here #LongLA. When I’m not chasing unicorns or planning my next trip, I like to wakeboard, hike, and ride horses.
"Jen is a polymath who is able to tackle any question or issue we throw at her."
Daniel Liebeskind, CEO & Founder, Topia
