From Wall Street to Angel Investing: Natalie Levy is Revolutionizing Access to Capital

What if the key to unlocking billions in untapped economic potential was hiding in plain sight, sidelined by traditional venture capital?

This isn't just a hypothetical – it's the reality that Natalie Levy is tackling head-on. I recently had an illuminating conversation with Natalie on my Life After Corporate podcast. Her story is a wake-up call for anyone interested in the future of business and investment.

Natalie's journey from Wall Street trader to founder of She's Independent Investments , an innovative angel investment group, is more than just an inspiring career pivot. It's a masterclass in disrupting traditional finance and opening doors for women in venture capital – a move that could reshape the entire entrepreneurial landscape.

Natalie's approach isn't just about personal success—it's a blueprint for transforming the venture capital ecosystem. Let's dive into the key insights from our conversation that highlight how she's revolutionizing women's access to this crucial aspect of the business world.

1. Turning Wall Street Wisdom into Inclusive Opportunity

Natalie's transition from high-pressure Wall Street roles to founding She's Independent wasn't just a career change—it was a complete reimagining of how financial expertise can create inclusive investment opportunities.

"I left finance for a second time and I said, I'm not going back. I had started angel investing actually for fun with some of my younger colleagues out of my Wall Street days and had some really great returns and exits on those early investments. And I started just investing myself."

Natalie repurposed her Wall Street knowledge to address a significant gap in the market. She recognized that women were being kept from fully participating in the world of angel investing, not due to lack of interest or capability, but because of systemic barriers and lack of access.

Her approach with She's Independent enables Natalie to leverage her deep understanding of finance to create a more inclusive investment landscape. She's taking the complex world of Wall Street and translating it into opportunities for women who have traditionally been left out of these lucrative investment circles.

2. Demystifying Venture Capital Through Education

One of the most revolutionary aspects of Natalie's approach is her focus on education. She's Independent isn't just an investment group—it's a learning platform that empowers women to become knowledgeable, confident investors.

"We wanted to really invent something new and say, well, we don't want to take advantage of folks, women predominantly, but we want to make this something that is a learning journey...truly a transformation in mindset around investing."

By prioritizing learning and transparency, Natalie is equipping women with the tools they need to actively participate as investors when they may have never thought themselves qualified to invest before.

She's Independent offers real access to education and mentorship combined with high-quality deal-making. This isn't just about pooling capital—it's about creating a community of informed, empowered investors.

Natalie's model allows members to be part of the process, from sourcing and screening deals to making investment decisions. This hands-on approach is transforming novices into confident angel investors, creating a ripple effect that could significantly alter the investment landscape.

3. Broadening the Definition of a "Good" Investment

Natalie's investment criteria with She's Independent are breaking down traditional barriers that have often kept women and diverse founders from accessing venture capital. She has defined screening criteria for the companies She's Independent considers for investment.

"Do you have a business where you are either women or diverse owned or maybe you're, you know, a cis white man? Fine. But do you care about culture? Do you have an underlying mission that's going to either maybe help women or you're bringing women into the board, you're bringing women into the business at an executive level and do they have real ownership?"

This approach isn't about feel-good diversity initiatives—it's about recognizing untapped potential in the market. By looking beyond traditional metrics and considering factors like diverse leadership and inclusive company cultures, Natalie is identifying promising opportunities that others might overlook.

She's Independent has invested in 14 group deals to date, with a significant focus on healthcare and health tech. This isn't by design, but a result of the diverse perspectives and expertise that women bring to the table.

By broadening the criteria for what makes a good investment, Natalie isn't just supporting diverse founders—she's uncovering potentially lucrative opportunities that traditional VC firms might miss.

Charting a New Course in Venture Capital

Natalie's journey from Wall Street to founding She's Independent is redefining the landscape of venture capital. Her approach demonstrates that creating more accessible, educational, and inclusive models isn't just about social responsibility—it's about smart business.

By leveraging her Wall Street expertise, Natalie is not only opening doors for women in venture capital but also potentially unlocking billions in economic potential that traditional approaches have sidelined.

Diversity isn't just a buzzword, but a genuine competitive advantage in identifying and nurturing the next generation of successful businesses.

If you're interested in learning more about this innovative approach to investing, check out She's Independent (shesindependent.com). Natalie and her team are doing groundbreaking work in making angel investing more accessible and educational for women.