Venturing Beyond: Jessie Draper's Journey in Tech, Motherhood, and Changing the Face of Venture Capital

Jesse Draper is a mother of 3 boys and founding partner of Halogen Ventures focused on early-stage investing in consumer technology companies led by female and co-ed teams. Jesse, the first solo female GP in Los Angeles, is also a 4th generation venture capitalist, the creator and host of the nominated television series The Valley Girl Show, and the host of the MOMumental Podcast. She is a fierce advocate for investing in women and the opportunity to use technology and innovation to solve some
of the biggest issues facing women and families today.

Among her 70+ portfolio companies are the Skimm, Babylist, ThirdLove, HopSkipDrive, The Flex Company, Squad, Eloquii (sold to Walmart) and This is L (sold to P&G). Selected as one of the top 10 early stage female investors by Business Insider, Draper was also listed by Marie Claire magazine as one of the ‘50 Most Connected Women in America.

In this episode, Adam and Jessie Draper discuss her family history in venture capitalism, the challenges faced by women in the industry, and the importance of diversity in entrepreneurship. They also explore the characteristics of successful founders and the criteria for investment. Jessie shares her insights on work-life harmony, the future of family tech, and the potential for disruption in various industries. They discuss the role of allies in supporting women and the advice Jessie received from her grandfather. The episode concludes with a reflection on overcoming challenges and finding gratitude.

Takeaways

- The venture capital industry needs more diversity and inclusion to drive innovation and success.
- Successful founders possess characteristics such as resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset.
- Investors should focus on the character and values of founders when making investment decisions.
- Work-life harmony is crucial for entrepreneurs, and setting boundaries and priorities is key.
- Entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for addressing social issues and driving positive change.

For more on Jesse, please connect with her on LinkedIn and check out: https://mailchi.mp/halogenvc/invest-in-women-li
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