sidelines.vc

We hope you felt the life-changing power of being in a community with trailblazing women & supportive allies, connecting, learning, and growing with peers who understand that true financial power comes from being both the funded and the funder. When we show up with vulnerability and intention, and support one another, we all rise. Thanks to everyone who showed up with so much energy, we can't wait for the next one!

Tonight, sidelines.vc and InnerFifth are coming together for an evening of strategic networking, candid conversations, and meaningful connections. We’re building a community of founders, operators, and investors who understand that real financial power comes from being both the funded and the funder. Our focus: ?? Building relationships that drive real outcomes ?? Sharing insights that move businesses forward ?? Making capital more accessible—and learning how to deploy it wisely With the support of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP & J.P. Morgan, this event is just a glimpse into our network of high-performers. #InnerFifth #Sidelines #Funding #Investing #Networking #Venture

The future is being built by investors who see opportunity where others don’t. This Women’s History Month, we’re recognizing leaders expanding access to capital, backing overlooked founders, and reshaping entire industries—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it drives returns. Today, we’re spotlighting four women making a lasting impact in venture capital and beyond: ?? Jesse Draper, General Partner,Halogen Ventures – A fourth-generation VC reshaping the investment landscape by funding early-stage, women-led consumer tech companies and advancing diversity in venture capital. ?? Nisha Dua, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, BBG Ventures – A pioneering investor backing female and diverse founders since 2014, shaping the future of healthcare, fintech, and consumer industries while proving that diversity drives returns. ?? Madeline Darcy, Managing Partner, Kaya Ventures – Redefining women’s health as a core pillar of innovation, championing companies addressing overlooked conditions and the unique challenges women face as they age. ?? Minnie Ingersoll, Partner, TenOneTen Ventures – A seasoned investor and entrepreneur bringing her expertise as a co-founder of Shift and former early Google product manager to investing in transformative startups. These women aren’t just funding the future—they’re building a more innovative, high-return one. #WomensHistoryMonth #InvestingInWomen #VentureCapital #Leadership

This Women’s History Month, we’re recognizing leaders and partners who are shaping industries, expanding access to capital, and building communities that drive real change. Their work isn’t just important—it’s shaping the future. ?? Meghan Curtin McKenna, CEO, FIF Collective: A leader in finance, Meghan McKenna transitioned from a successful career in banking to build FIF, the leading community for women in finance. She is dedicated to fostering connection, mentorship, and opportunities for women navigating the financial industry. ?? Jennifer Jeronimo, CEO, Gaingels: A former Wall Street executive turned venture leader, Jennifer Jeronimo is driving change at Gaingels, a venture capital fund committed to backing diverse and women-led startups. She is focused on creating access to capital for underrepresented founders. ?? Amy Parker & Gina Pell, Founders, THE WHAT ALLIANCE: The duo behind The What Alliance, Amy Parker and Gina Pell, have built one of the most influential communities for executive women. Their platform fosters connection, knowledge-sharing, and unwavering support among women across industries and life stages. ?? Desiree Almodovar, Operating Partner, AlleyCorp & Creator of PEERLESS: A strategist and builder, Desiree Almodovar designed PEERLESS, a $1M pitch competition spotlighting overlooked companies. The initiative ultimately awarded a woman-led business, reinforcing her commitment to expanding access to funding and resources. This is just part one—stay tuned for more!

Congratulating friends of ours who are on the #INC500 Female Founders list! Kudos to these founders, so well deserved. We're thrilled to be in the company of these trailblazers. Kristin Olszewski Nomadica Charlotte Cruze Lindsay Goodstein Alice Mushrooms Jen Zeszut GOODLES Camilla Ruth Marcus #femalefounders #trailblazers

Incredible seeing our portfolio company Repurpose featured in Business Insider! At sidelines.vc we're all about investing in founders and businesses who make the most of their dollar––and it usually means more inventive business tactics. Here's how they do it: ?? Repurpose, a leader in plant-based, compostable tableware, is using AI to stay competitive in the consumer goods market. ?? They hold one-third of the compostable-tableware market and are stocked in 20,000+ retailers nationwide. ?? AI is helping them automate finance processes (prepopulating vendor info, autofilling invoices), optimize marketing campaigns for better engagement, and streamline employee evaluations to improve efficiency. ? Despite AI’s energy demands, Repurpose is committed to sustainable and responsible AI use that aligns with its mission. ?? CEO Lauren Gropper encourages small businesses to experiment with AI to scale smarter and more efficiently. Full story in our comments! #AI #Sustainability #BusinessGrowth #Repurpose

The energy at Expo West is truly unmatched! This past week, we had the privilege of being on the ground to support and celebrate the founders working tirelessly to build a better food system and a healthier planet. We kicked off the week hosting an incredible discussion with The Well Network and then walked the floor. It was incredible to see so many of our portfolio brands (De Soi, Spicewell, Repurpose) making waves with their booths and activations, showcasing the innovation that’s shaping the future of food and CPG. We also had the chance to connect with bold new founders who are rethinking the way we eat, drink, and live—pushing the industry forward in inspiring ways. Expo West is always a reminder of the innovation, passion, and purpose driving this space. Grateful to be part of it! ???? #ExpoWest #BetterFoodBetterPlanet #FoodInnovation #SidelinesVC Dulari Amin Marisa Hodgdon The Well Network WOO More Play GIAPENTA Womaness Whole Foods Market GOODLES Alice Mushrooms Repurpose De Soi J.P. Morgan Spicewell Scout Brisson Willow Growth Partners Deborah Benton Charlotte Cruze Lindsay Goodstein Kelly Landrieu Michelle Jacobs Kris Strouthopoulos Mackie Swan Lauren Gropper Ruchi Desai

Our PortCo Spicewell is featured on The View in a special Mindy Kaling edition today! Congrats to Raina Kumra & the team for this one.

So proud of our portfolio company De Soi. Let’s go team — Scout Brisson, John Cochran, Morgan McLachlan!

?? Women in CPG: Insights & Inspiration - coming to you live from Expo West?? Last night, we teamed up with our friends at The Well Network to shine a spotlight on women in CPG. Our panels covered everything from investing in and growing brands to the power of strategic partnerships and how female-focused CPG brands are winning—moderated by our very own Dulari Amin. ? Key Takeaways from Our Powerhouse Panel ? With Kelly Landrieu (Whole Foods Market), Michelle Jacobs (Womaness), Kris Strouthopoulos (GIAPENTA), and Mackie Swan (WOO More Play ) ?? Community Is Everything The best brands go beyond just selling a product—they create a platform for building community. Your customers should have a space to connect, engage, and share their own stories. ?? Purpose-Driven Brands Win Retailers like Whole Foods are looking for more than just great products. They want founders who are building something with purpose—community-driven brands that aim to shape the world. ?? Solving Unmet Needs Many female-focused CPG brands are born from a personal need that the market hasn't addressed. These brands aren't just launching products; they're breaking taboos around menopause, sexual wellness, and women's health. Light, engaging marketing can open the door to deeper conversations. ?? Creative Storytelling Fundraising with investors who may not immediately connect with your product? Get creative! Kris shared an incredible story of having investors tighten their belts to simulate the daily discomfort of wearing a bra—sometimes, firsthand experience is the best way to drive understanding. A huge thank you to everyone who joined the conversation in visibility, support, and success for women in CPG. #WomenInCPG #FemaleFounders #Innovation