Joanne Wilson: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs and Pioneering Investment Strategies
Biography of Joanne Wilson:
Joanne Wilson, born in 1961, is an esteemed American
businesswoman and angel investor renowned for her commitment to supporting
female-founded companies. With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for
empowering women in the entrepreneurial space, Wilson has become a prominent figure
in the startup ecosystem.
As an angel investor, Wilson actively seeks out
opportunities to invest in startups led by women, recognizing the unique
perspectives and talents they bring to the table. Her investment portfolio
reflects her dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion within the business
world.
Beyond her work as an investor, Joanne Wilson is also a
vocal advocate for women in entrepreneurship. She leverages her platform to
promote gender equality in the startup landscape and offers mentorship and
guidance to aspiring female founders.
Early life and Education
Joanne Wilson, born in 1961, embarked on her journey in
Boston, where she pursued her education at Simmons College, ultimately
graduating in 1983. It was during her time at Simmons College that she crossed
paths with her future husband, Fred Wilson. After completing her studies,
Joanne and Fred relocated to the vibrant city of New York, setting the stage
for the next chapters of their lives together.
Early Career and Philanthropic Engagement:
Joanne Wilson's professional journey began at Macy's, where
she immersed herself in the retail apparel department before transitioning to
roles in the garment industry and sales at Silicon Alley Reporter. Alongside
her corporate endeavors, Wilson actively engaged in philanthropy, chairing the
nonprofit MOUSE to promote technology in inner-city schools.
Venturing into Investment and Entrepreneurship:
In 2007, Wilson ventured into the realm of investment,
marking the beginning of a successful career as an angel investor. Her
entrepreneurship blog, Gotham Gal, serves as a platform for sharing insights,
while Gotham Gal Ventures, her investment fund with her husband, supports
startups and entrepreneurial ventures.
Advocating for Women Entrepreneurs:
Recognizing the importance of empowering women
entrepreneurs, Wilson co-founded and co-chaired the annual Women Entrepreneurs
Festival, an initiative aimed at fostering female entrepreneurship in
collaboration with New York University.
Leadership in Social Causes:
Wilson's commitment to social causes is evident in her
leadership roles. She chaired the board of Hot Bread Kitchen, promoting and
training female and minority bakers, and served as the inaugural co-Chair of
Path Forward, a nonprofit facilitating workforce reintegration after caregiving
periods.
Diversifying Investments:
Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Wilson has been
actively involved in real estate development in New York City since 2009,
diversifying her investment portfolio and contributing to urban development
initiatives.
Investments and Entrepreneurial Ventures:
Joanne Wilson's investment journey began with Curbed,
Lockhart Steele's startup. Early on, she diversified her portfolio with investments
in Food52, Rick's Picks, DailyWorth, Hot Bread Kitchen, and Scoot. In
subsequent years, she expanded her investment horizon, backing companies like
Blue Bottle Coffee, Spoon University, and Nestio, contributing to various
sectors such as food media, coffee retail, and residential real estate.
Championing Women-Led Startups:
Wilson's investment strategy gained prominence for its focus
on women-led startups. A significant portion of her investments, starting from
2012, were directed towards tech companies, particularly those with women
founders. By 2016, approximately 70 percent of her investments supported
companies led by women. Over the years, she backed over 90 female-founded
companies, including several black women-led startups that secured substantial
funding.
Venturing into Cannabis Industry:
In 2017, Wilson diversified her investment portfolio further
by entering the cannabis industry. She made angel investments in Octavia
Wellness and Beboe, marking her foray into this emerging sector. These investments
reflect her willingness to explore new and evolving markets while maintaining a
commitment to supporting innovative ventures led by women.
Entrepreneurship and Investment:
Joanne Wilson is renowned for her multifaceted career
spanning retail, wholesale, media, real estate, and technology. As a prominent
early-stage angel investor, she has amassed a diverse portfolio of over 140
companies, including notable names like Food52, Eater, and Parachute Home.
Additionally, Joanne has ventured into the restaurant industry, investing in
several establishments across downtown New York City.
Real Estate Ventures:
Beyond her investments, Joanne is a founding member of Frame
Home, a Brooklyn-based residential real estate development firm that emphasizes
sustainability alongside stylish design. Her involvement in real estate
underscores her commitment to creating innovative and environmentally conscious
living spaces.
Latest Venture: GOTHAM:
In her latest entrepreneurial endeavor, Joanne is
spearheading GOTHAM, set to be one of the premier recreational marijuana
dispensaries in Manhattan. Scheduled to open its doors in Spring 2023, GOTHAM
represents Joanne's forward-thinking approach to emerging markets and her
willingness to explore new opportunities at the forefront of industry trends.
Evolution of Approach:
Over the years, Joanne's approach to investing has evolved,
shaped by experience and introspection. Although she contemplated writing a
book to chronicle her journey, she found greater clarity by revisiting her past
writings. This retrospective exercise reaffirmed her enduring commitment to
certain principles while also sharpening her ability to discern potential
pitfalls, a testament to the maturation of her instincts and judgment over
time.
Investing in People:
At the core of Joanne's investment philosophy lies a
steadfast belief in the resilience and character of the individuals behind the
companies she supports. Beyond evaluating business metrics and market
potential, she emphasizes the importance of investing in people, recognizing
their ability to navigate challenges and drive success. This human-centric
approach underscores her enduring focus on backing "survivors" —
entrepreneurs with the resilience and determination to weather the storms of startup
life.
Joanne Wilson: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs and Pioneering Investment Strategies / Biography of Joanne Wilson: / Joanne Wilson:
Simple yet Pragmatic Thesis:
Joanne's financial thesis remains anchored in simplicity and
pragmatism, with a clear guideline of investing $50k or less to secure a 1%
stake in a company. This disciplined approach ensures alignment with her
long-term investment strategy, supplemented by provisions for maintaining
ownership through subsequent funding rounds. By adhering to these principles,
Joanne seeks to not only support promising ventures but also cultivate enduring
partnerships that fuel growth and innovation in the startup ecosystem.
Board Memberships:
In addition to her role at Gotham Gal Ventures, Joanne
serves as a Board Member at several prominent companies, including Vengo Labs,
Shippabo, Rick's Picks, DailyWorth, and Misen. Her involvement in these
organizations highlights her commitment to providing strategic guidance and
support to emerging businesses in diverse sectors. Joanne also holds the
position of Board Observer at Sourceeasy, further expanding her influence in
the startup ecosystem.
Past Board Positions:
Throughout her career, Joanne has held significant board
positions at various companies, including VenueBook. Her tenure on these boards
has allowed her to contribute her expertise and insights to the strategic
decision-making processes of these organizations.
Multi-faceted Career Journey:
Joanne's career trajectory spans multiple industries,
reflecting her versatility and adaptability. From her early days as a buyer at
Macy's to her experience in the rag trade, she has navigated through different
sectors before delving into the realm of media and events with Silicon Alley
Reporter. This diverse background equips her with a unique perspective and
invaluable insights into the intricacies of business operations.
Commitment to Growth:
Joanne's dedication to fostering innovation and growth
extends beyond her role as an investor and entrepreneur. As a Board Member at
Caretaker, she continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of
emerging ventures, contributing to their success and expansion in the
competitive market landscape.
Philanthropic Endeavors:
Joanne's dedication to philanthropy is evident through her
active engagement in non-profit initiatives. She served as the chairperson of
Hot Bread Kitchen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and training
female and minority bakers. Currently, she sits on the board of The Highline
and The Public Housing Community Fund in NYC, furthering her commitment to
community development and social impact.
Family and Relationships:
Joanne Wilson is married to venture capitalist Fred Wilson,
who is a co-founder of Union Square Ventures. Together, they reside in New York
City, where they have built a life and raised their family. The couple shares
three children, comprising two daughters and a son. Their partnership extends
beyond personal life, as they navigate the entrepreneurial and investment
landscapes together. Their synergistic collaboration has earned them
recognition, including being listed in Crain's New York Business' prestigious
"Power Couples" list in 2016.
Some companies where Joanne Wilson invested
- Beckley Waves - Private Equity
- Manufactured - Business/Productivity Software
- HopSkipDrive – Automotive
- HowGood - Media and Information Services (B2B)
- Catchafire - Services (B2C Non-Financial)
- coUrbanize - Business/Productivity Software
- Vengo - Commercial Products
- Lately - Business/Productivity Software
- PlateJoy - Restaurants, Hotels and Leisure
- Modsy - visualization engine
- EdisonJr - electric light manufacturing companies
A timeline with dates and brief explanations:
1983:
Graduates from Simmons College in Boston.
Late 1980s:
Meets future husband Fred Wilson while in college.
2007:
Begins angel investing.
2009:
Ventures into real estate development in New York City.
2012:
Starts focusing on investing in tech companies with women
founders.
2016:
Approximately 70 percent of her investments support
companies led by women.
2017:
Enters the cannabis industry with investments in Octavia
Wellness and Beboe.
2023 (Spring):
Spearheads GOTHAM, a recreational marijuana dispensary set
to open in Manhattan.
This timeline encapsulates key moments in Joanne Wilson's
career and investment journey.
