Apprentis Ventures

What connects traditional apprenticeships, a trillion dollars in AI investment, and the untapped potential of legacy industries? Here's the personal story behind Apprentis Ventures...

Are you a startup founder considering whether venture capital is the right path for your company's growth? In this episode of Apprentis Insights, Holly Neiweem, Founder & Managing Partner of Apprentis Ventures, explores the key factors that determine if venture capital funding aligns with your company’s goals. Holly shares real-world insights and practical advice to help you make an informed and confident decision. Let’s dive in! #ApprentisVentures #VentureCapital #ApprentisInsights

Recast Capital is on a mission to empower emerging managers and drive diversity in venture capital. As a 100% women-led platform, Recast Capital champions the next generation of fund managers through innovative programs, strategic investments, and a commitment to lasting impact. 💡 Curious about who’s behind this transformative work? Meet the team making it all happen and learn how Recast Capital is shaping the future of VC - Courtney Russell McCrea, Sara Zulkosky, Caroline Fernandez, Ava Alemazkoor, and Lissa Villani. 👉 Swipe through to dive into Recast’s mission and the people leading the charge! #ApprentisVentures

What makes a company extraordinary? For ServiceTitan, the answer lies in values, passion, and an unrelenting focus on customers. Ara Mahdessian and Vahe Kuzoyan, the founders of ServiceTitan, transcended building a software company. They reshaped the home-services industry by integrating innovative technology with a deep connection to their personal roots. Sharing our latest thought leadership on AI and Industry 👇 #ApprentisVentures #AI

What does it take to secure venture capital funding for your startup? In this episode of Apprentis Insights, Apprentis Ventures' Founder & Managing Partner, Holly Neiweem, shares her perspective on the most critical factors when making an investment decision. From evaluating the founding team to assessing market potential, Holly provides actionable insights to help entrepreneurs position their ventures for success. #ApprentisVentures #AI #LegacyIndustries #VentureCapital #ApprentisInsights

In industries where machinery and equipment are critical, unplanned downtime can lead to significant financial losses. Traditional maintenance strategies, like reactive maintenance and preventive schedules, often fail to strike the right balance between cost and efficiency. AI-driven predictive maintenance is streamlining this cycle by using artificial intelligence to anticipate equipment failures and optimize upkeep, unlocking over ~$1.2T in CapEx. #ApprentisVentures #AI

What if scammers couldn’t scam because their time was completely wasted? That’s the genius behind Daisy, a GenAI chatbot designed to keep scammers endlessly occupied. By flipping the script, Daisy transforms their schemes into a frustrating, unproductive loop—and it’s as hilarious as it is effective. Watch the linked video to see this in action. It’s a brilliant example of how technology can creatively fight back, turning the tables on those who exploit others. Sharing our latest thought leadership on AI and Society 👇 #ApprentisVentures #AI

George Cybenko: Architect of Modern Neural Networks George Cybenko, a distinguished professor at the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, is widely celebrated for his pioneering contributions to mathematics and computer science. His seminal 1989 work, "Approximation by Superpositions of a Sigmoidal Function," also known as the "Cybenko Theorem," which established the universality theorem for neural networks, proved that neural networks with a single hidden layer and sigmoidal activation functions can approximate any continuous function on a compact set to arbitrary precision. This discovery, formally recognized as the Universal Approximation Theorem, provided a critical theoretical foundation for modern neural networks and deep learning. Cybenko’s influence is far-reaching, shaping both the theoretical underpinnings and practical advancements in artificial intelligence. His theorem has driven innovations in algorithm design, activation function optimization, and scalable machine learning systems. These advancements have transformed applications in fields such as healthcare, finance, and autonomous systems. Beyond his theoretical achievements, Cybenko has been a cornerstone of interdisciplinary collaboration at Dartmouth College. Through his mentorship and research leadership, he has inspired generations of students and researchers to tackle complex problems at the intersection of mathematics, engineering, and computer science. Cybenko’s broader contributions extend to signal processing, parallel computing, and cybersecurity. His ongoing work explores emerging challenges in robust machine learning, quantum computing algorithms, and the ethical dimensions of AI. George’s achievements exemplify the enduring impact of rigorous, foundational research in advancing technological frontiers and solving real-world problems. #ApprentisVentures #AI

We are excited to announce that Bianca Schilling has joined Apprentis Ventures as Chief of Staff and Investor. Bianca’s journey into venture capital is marked by her dynamic background in translational research, business development, and tech entrepreneurship. She holds a degree in Science, Technology, and Society from the University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the Decile Group’s VC Lab Venture Institute, where she completed a residency with Apprentis Ventures. As a co-founder of a techbio enterprise SaaS platform and participant in The Wharton School Venture Lab program, Bianca developed deep expertise in market strategy, partnerships, and fundraising. Her leadership extends to contributions in Philly Startup Leaders, Penn Bio Launch, and as a Penn Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania Advisory Board Member. She also served as Director of Finance for the Penn Undergraduate Biotech Society, helping to drive innovation within the academic and entrepreneurial communities. Now in venture capital, Bianca is passionate about empowering startups through investment, strategic guidance, and authentic relationship-building. We are thrilled to have her as part of the team as we continue to support the next wave of transformational founders. #ApprentisVentures #AI

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, the balance between human expertise and machine automation has become increasingly important. AI tools, much like modern technological advancements across sectors, are designed to enhance human capabilities, not replace them. However, the responsibility of understanding context, making critical decisions, and managing unexpected scenarios still rests with humans. Similarly, in the AI era, programmers are architects, not just coders. As Yossi Matias, Head of Google Research, explains, coding remains essential. AI tools like GitHub Copilot assist with tasks, but developers must guide systems and step in when challenges arise. In this article, we explore how foundational coding skills empower individuals to thrive in an automated world. Sharing our latest thought leadership on AI and Society 👇 #ApprentisVentures #AI