VCFamilia

For our VCFamilia members in Boston, we’re gathering tomorrow to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month together! Spread the word and come join us for a fun and meaningful evening. We’d love to see you there!

We’re just 7 days away from a celebration that speaks to the heart of our Latine VC community. This event isn’t just about recognizing achievements—it’s about honoring the trailblazers who are actively transforming venture capital and creating space for a more inclusive future. These are the role models who have shown what’s possible, paving the way for more Latine investors and founders to make their mark in an industry that needs diverse voices. For those of us in VC, it’s a moment to come together, to reflect on the impact we can have, and to celebrate the leaders who inspire us to push further. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this important moment for our community. RSVP now: https://lu.ma/7mxwmkl7 #VCs #LosAngeles #LATechWeek #Latines #Diversity #Innovation #LatineInvestors, #LatineVCs, #LATechWeek2024

Loving these photos and notes from our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Chicago! And look, they caught VCFamilia member Leandro Bedolla from M25 in one of the shots!

Make sure you have this on your radar – there's an exciting event taking place in Austin tomorrow with LaFamilia! We're celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a focus on gratitude, featuring some incredible individuals and the support of fantastic sponsors. The event is fully booked, but you can still RSVP for the waitlist!

Congratulations to VCFamilia's inaugural Award Winners!!! I could not be more proud to have such a diverse, inclusive, and representative group that have all exceled in their respective ways in the venture space. Maria Lopez Rosas - Rising Star. From her nomination, it was clear that her efforts to support the Indigenous and Latine community reflect a deep passion for fostering equity and inclusion. We also got to meet at New America Alliance and wow. https://lnkd.in/dFxxHTXy Alejandro Guerrero - Catalyst. The award is in part named after all that he has done, sometimes at his personal expense, to push the industry forward. He finally gets his flowers. We stan a real one! https://lnkd.in/dyxJmGyr) Cyril Medu?a - Legacy. Surviving a dictatorship, starting one of the first VC firms in the 1980s, and putting PR on the map (Yes reminder, Puerto Rico is part of the U.S., Boricuas stand up!), Cyril has been flying under the radar but is a force of great change. He also finally gets his flowers for his excellence in venture capital. https://lnkd.in/dds3VyKM Thank you to our incredible selection committee Renata Marcia Adriana Adrianna Matt Jesús for being generous with their time since May to select these award winners. And everyone at LaFamilia Foundation that has supported this effort Lucia Pilar Gabriela Mayté Juliarose (all women let's go!) Also announcing our new sponsors that have seen the value of this time for recognition and celebration - Carta Dahlia VC Sabio Enterprises! Maria Veronica Liliana - also all women... I'm sensing a pattern :) This is what familia is all about. What we dreamed of from the start. It's happening Oct 14th Milken Institute during TECH WEEK by a16z https://lu.ma/7mxwmkl7

I’m proud of my hermanita Maria Lopez Rosas at Illumen!

What does it mean to leave a lasting legacy?? ? For Cyril Medu?a, it means transforming challenges into opportunities and nurturing a future where Latine entrepreneurs thrive. VCFamilia proudly honors Cyril with the Legacy Award, recognizing his lifelong dedication to uplifting Latine talent and shaping Puerto Rico’s venture capital landscape. ? Cyril’s journey began in Chile, where resilience was forged early. After his family left during the Allende regime, Cyril’s determination led him to the U.S. on a merit scholarship & he earned an MBA from The George Washington University. From there, he built a path few could have envisioned—founding Puerto Rico’s first venture capital fund in 1989 (!) and, later, co-founding Advent-Morro Equity Partners. His 1st close was $1.56M (yes, millions), all from private individuals. By 1992, the Fund reached $12.1M, given that he was able to convince the local government pension funds, which had until then barely invested in stocks, let alone venture capital. Over the years, Cyril has invested in over 100 companies, creating thousands of jobs and fueling Puerto Rican innovation. ? After being instrumental in launching Parallel18, a tech-company accelerator based in Puerto Rico, in 2018, Cyril co-founded Morro Ventures with Allison Kern, focusing on equity for graduates of Parallel18, further enriching Puerto Rico’s tech ecosystem. Through Morro’s first fund, Cyril and many VCFamilia members have united, co-investing to deepen Latine ties and drive innovation across the island and the U.S.? ? At his core, Cyril is a family man. His greatest pride lies in his three daughters, each pursuing their dreams with the same tenacity he has shown throughout his career. His wife, Maria Luisa, has been his unwavering partner, supporting their shared vision of a better future for their community. ? On October 14, we’ll come together to celebrate Cyril’s incredible contributions to the Latine community. Join us as we honor him, along with our Rising Star and Catalyst Award winners, at the VCFamilia Awards! RSVP here: lu.ma/7mxwmkl7 (Only 15 tickets available)? #LegacyAward #VCFamilia #LatineExcellence #LatinxInVC #VentureCapital #DiversityInTech #LatineLeadership #LatineEntrepreneurs #DiversityInVC

How does a first-generation Mexican-American rise to reshape the VC landscape? For Alejandro Guerrero, it’s been a journey fueled by grit, heart, and an unwavering belief in opening doors for those who come after him. This year, VCFamilia is proud to honor him with the?Catalyst Award, recognizing the trail he's blazing for the Latine community in venture capital. Alejandro’s story is one many of us can relate to. Born and raised in San Diego, he was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his degree from UCLA. Without the networks or access that others may take for granted, Alejandro pursued his goals with determination. Instead of waiting for opportunities, he created his own path—starting companies, learning through experience, and making it his mission to open doors for others like him. Today, Alejandro is the Co-Founder and General Partner at?Act One Ventures, a Los Angeles-based seed fund investing in business software startups, currently managing $147 million in AUM. The firm has invested in more than 60 companies, 70% of which were founded by women or minorities. Alejandro isn't just talking about diversity—he's making it happen. In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Alejandro introduced the?Diversity Rider for Representation at the Cap Table, a groundbreaking initiative ensuring diverse co-investors have a chance to participate in venture deals. The rider, adopted by major firms like Greycroft Partners, Harlem Capital Partners, and Precursor Ventures, has become a beacon of change in an industry long criticized for its lack of inclusivity. His work isn’t just about numbers or deals; it’s about bringing people in. For the founders he backs and for our community, Alejandro isn’t just an investor—he’s a partner, a mentor, and someone who believes in the potential of others. For him, success means creating a space where founders and investors from underrepresented communities can thrive—ensuring that the next generation doesn’t have to face the same barriers he did. On October 14, VCFamilia will proudly honor Alejandro for all that he’s accomplished and for the legacy he’s building for Latine entrepreneurs. Join us as we celebrate Alejandro, along with our Rising Star and Legacy Award winners, at the VCFamilia Awards!?RSVP here: lu.ma/7mxwmkl7 (Only 15 tickets available) #CatalystAward #VCFamilia #LatineExcellence #LatinxInVC #VentureCapital #DiversityInTech #LaTechWeek #LatineLeadership #VCLeaders #LatineInvestors

Thanks for your leadership at Illumen Capital and in our field Maria Lopez Rosas! Congrats!

What does it look like when a Latina trailblazer starts changing the game? For Maria Lopez Rosas, it looks like lifting up those around her, embodying a relentless commitment to empowering underrepresented voices while breaking new ground in VC. This year, VCFamilia proudly honors Maria Lopez Rosas with the Rising Star Award, recognizing her incredible impact and potential. ? Maria’s journey is defined by her unwavering belief in impact. At Illumen Capital, she’s gone beyond her role as an impact investor—helping uplift fund managers and entrepreneurs who often face systemic barriers.? ? Her dedication to uplifting Indigenous women in entrepreneurship is equally remarkable. She served as a mentor for the Indigenous Femme Founders Hackathon, where she supported 10 Indigenous entrepreneurs toward their next fundraising goals. She’s also supported the W.E. Build Tulsa Accelerator as a selection committee member and mentor, empowering women entrepreneurs who have historically been excluded from critical resources and funding. Last year, she graduated from the Rematriating Economies Apprenticeship, where she was recognized as one of ten Indigenous women in fund management. Through fireside chats and podcast appearances, Maria continues to share her insights and inspire others to step into spaces where they are often underrepresented. ? On October 14, VCFamilia will proudly honor Maria’s incredible journey with the Rising Star Award. Join us as we also celebrate the Catalyst and Legacy Award winners! RSVP here: lu.ma/7mxwmkl7 (Only 15 tickets available) #RisingStarAward #VCFamilia #LatineExcellence #LatinxInVC #VentureCapital #DiversityInTech #LatineLeadership #LatineEntrepreneurs #InclusiveInvestment