Ridge Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm whose investments include Braze, Fastly, Discord, UpLift, Krux, ThirdLove and Sapho, announced that Head of Investor Relations Susan Stella and Principal Kamil Saeid joined its team. At Ridge, Stella will lead marketing and communications strategy with limited partners. Saeid will source new investment opportunities and work alongside Ridge Ventures portfolio companies that have collectively raised more than $1 billion in each of the last two years. A significant amount of Ridge Ventures’ fourth fund, with capital exceeding $150 million, is still available for new deals.
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“I’m excited to back companies that will be critical to rethinking digital transformation while learning from Ridge Ventures’ seasoned investors along the way. More than anything, I’m grateful for the chance to provide early-stage founders the support they need during this difficult period.”
“Susan’s vast experience in venture and Kamil’s empathetic, founder-first mindset are a welcome addition to the Ridge family,” said Alex Rosen, Managing Partner of Ridge Ventures. “It’s a trying time for many enterprise companies, even more so for enterprise startups. Expanding our operations on both ends of the ecosystem—from communicating with a growing base of LPs to sourcing new investments—will be crucial as the industry navigates an unprecedented and challenging economic climate.”
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As Ridge’s Head of Investor Relations Stella brings 20 years of LP communications experience, including her work for multi-billion dollar private equity funds, emerging venture funds and industry associations. She was previously a Principal and Director of Investor Relations at Knightsbridge, as well as a Director at Thunderbird Global Private Equity Center. Susan received an MBA in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management—along with the highest honor awarded to a single graduate, the Barton Kyle Yount Award—after earning her BA, magna cum laude, from Drake University.
“I’m excited to team up with Ridge Ventures and manage their expanding roster of LPs,” said Stella. “Ridge boasts an impressive portfolio of top-notch startups and the track record of big returns that LPs desire. This makes my job much easier.”
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