Last night’s Chai Ventures x Lyonshare dinner was a vibrant gathering for women General Partners (GPs) and Limited Partners (LPs) from family offices, emerging funds, and larger institutions. The event showcased a diverse range of perspectives in venture capital with attendees from funds like Capital One, CPPIB, Dream Capital, Helena Capital, J.P. Morgan, Park Rangers Capital 🏕️, SOSV, TMV and more.
Hosted by Kelly Lyons, with special thanks to Abby Lyall for helping organize, the dinner provided a welcoming space for conversation and connection. Guests shared compelling stories, ranging from involvement in the People's Bid for TikTok, marathon triumphs, to former roles in the CIA (yes, there were multiple attendees who had been recruited to work at the CIA!). These personal anecdotes enriched the evening, celebrating the unique journeys of each participant.
The investment strategies discussed were equally varied. Attendees included those focusing on real estate fund investing, pre-seed and seed stage "elephant" companies, and a new celebrity-backed VC fund, as well as those investing from pre-seed to Series B stages in areas like vertical SaaS, ML/AI, fintech, and cybersecurity. The future looks promising with plans to bridge early and late-stage capital ecosystems across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, reimagining habits in mobility, climate, productivity, and fintech, and deepening commitments to sustainable, revenue-driven models with robust distribution channels. While AI continues to revolutionize industries, the human element—highlighted by resilient founders and the value of mentorship and personal connections—remains pivotal in building enduring companies.
A big thank you to our sponsors—Escalon (Ashley Hubner), Justworks (Lindsay Ryan), and Sydecar (Samantha Sandler)—for their support in making this event possible. The night was filled with laughter, learning, and the strengthening of professional bonds, underscoring the role of diverse perspectives in enhancing our industry and the community spirit among women in venture capital. Here’s to many more evenings like this!