Julia Parker

Backstage Capital is a venture capital fund investing in the best startups led by underrepresented founders in the U.S.

1 ― We see incredible opportunity in new, raw ideas. We understand that in order to win big, you often have to take bigger risks. We see the incredible value in founders and teams that think outside the norm. Our odds are on those who test the status quo, and seek better answers to the big questions. Risky and experimental are what we’re hungry for. We want dark horses with bright ideas. 2 ― We back and bet on ambitious, hard-working student founders. We’re student investors backing our peers. Brave startups. Bold ideas. Unflinching work ethic. We’re here to bet on strategy-focused founders who are putting their all on the line. We welcome founders of all educational backgrounds. What matters is the determination and courage to experiment, learn, pivot and grow. 3 ― We think odd and unconventional ways of thinking will make our world better. Some of the best innovations across history have been some of the most outlandish at the start. Change never seems better, especially to the old guard. That’s why we’re enabling the next generation of founders to challenge the way things are. A better product, a better business, a better world just needs one rogue dreamer with the right tools. We’re equipping underdogs to experiment, test and maybe prove their best ideas. Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odds_on_vc/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/odds_on_vc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oddsonvc

Elemeno Health is a software company that offers a new solution to support hospital nurses and frontline for optimal unit-level care. We make a customized app for each hospital unit so that we capture their unique practice needs. We build and constantly update the app with highly digestible, latest news and information. Because protocols and technology are changing so fast, we make it easier for unit leaders to standardize their last mile care. You can also share your app across units and hospital systems without ever needing help from IT.

Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) is an ambitious, groundbreaking project to increase business lending in Appalachia by providing community loan funds a new source of capital. Appalachian Community Capital was created to increase business lending in Appalachia by providing community loan funds with a new source of capital through the creation of a wholesale capital intermediary. This CDFI intermediary raises grant capital and leveraged debt from funding sources not available to, or underutilized by, the individual funds, such as regional and national banks, utilities, and national foundations. ACC uses this new capital to make loans to high performing development lenders and also purchase participations in loans made by these local lenders. Growing the net capital base and program capacity of the participating loan funds increases access to financing for Appalachian businesses and provide a greater opportunity for the formation and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises that create high quality jobs, retain local wealth, and ultimately improve the quality of life in the Region.

The Intentional Endowments Network supports colleges, universities, and other mission-driven tax-exempt organizations in aligning their endowment investment practices with their mission, values, and sustainability goals without sacrificing financial returns. In doing so, this broad-based, collaborative network will make a significant and critical contribution to creating a healthy, just, and sustainable society. Working closely with leading organizations and initiatives that are promoting institutional leadership on economic, social, and environmental sustainability, the network engages key leaders and stakeholders in the higher education, business, and non-profit sectors. It provides opportunities for education and training, peer networking, convening, thought leadership and information exchange. Our goal is to create a robust and active network of institutional leaders and their stakeholders, industry practitioners and academic experts, that serves as a vehicle for a variety of actions (meetings, trainings, conferences, resources, education, peer-learning, etc.) to achieve the following outcomes: Intentionally designed endowments, aligned with institutional mission, values, and sustainability goals, become the norm in higher education and other tax-exempt organizations, evidenced by growth in policies, practices and actions. Improved sustainability performance by businesses in response to investor concerns, evidenced by changes in corporate reporting, policies and behaviors related to investor demands and shareholder resolutions.

Backstage Capital is a venture capital fund investing in the best startups led by underrepresented founders in the U.S.

Pipeline Angels is changing the face of angel investing and creating capital for founders who are trans women, cis women, agender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and two-spirit. In 2023, Pipeline Angels became part of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL). Our members serve as the friends and family round for entrepreneurs who may not already have support at that critical stage. Learn more: pipelineangels.org

Two Sigma is a leading quantitative investment management and trading firm with more than $70 billion in assets under management. The company applies a scientific approach to investing, combining cutting-edge technology, artificial intelligence, data science, and quantitative research with rigorous human inquiry to capitalize on market opportunities and deliver alpha for clients. Founded in 2001, Two Sigma employs over 1,700 curious minds at its headquarters in New York and in offices around the globe. For more information, visit twosigma.com. Two Sigma is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. The information presented in this profile is offered for recruiting purposes only and should not be used for any other purpose. As such, Two Sigma’s use of LinkedIn is not an offer to, or solicitation of, any potential clients or investors for the provision by Two Sigma of investment management, advisory or any other related services. No information posted by Two Sigma should be construed as investment advice, or as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or other instrument. All trademarks, logos, information and photos are ®/TM/© Two Sigma Investments, LP or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Important Notice: Fraudulent Schemes Impersonating Two Sigma Investments, LP. More information here: https://www.twosigma.com/important-notice/