Inside Illuminate Ventures: A Conversation with Partner Jennifer Savage

In this episode of Sound Investments Ed Barker talks to Jennifer Savage, Partner at Illuminate Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in seed-stage investments in enterprise software. Jennifer discusses her journey into venture capital, the unique operating model of Illuminate Ventures, and their focus on impactful enterprise solutions. She highlights the firm's extensive advisory council, consisting of industry leaders who provide hands-on support and strategic guidance to portfolio companies. Jennifer also touches on the growth and challenges of the tech and venture capital ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest, the evolving landscape of AI investments, and the current economic climate. The episode provides valuable insights into Illuminate's strategic approach and the broader venture capital scene.

00:00 Introduction to Sound Investments

01:04 Meet Jennifer Savage of Illuminate Ventures

03:31 Illuminate Ventures' Investment Focus

04:57 The Role of the Advisory Board

09:07 Diversity and Inclusion in Venture Capital

11:52 Finding and Supporting Portfolio Companies

16:31 The Seattle Tech Scene and Venture Capital

21:17 Current Trends

29:04 Portfolio Highlights

38:49 Closing Remarks

About Your Host

Ed Barker has enjoyed a weird and varied career. Ed is a Brit now resident in Seattle and has founded three startups, enjoyed a long career in corporate strategy, and most recently as a VC. He's now building a podcast production company, Studio 1878. Sound Investments is a modest attempt to shine some light on the fantastic work being done in the Pacific Northwest entrepreneurial community.

Jennifer Savage, Partner, Illuminate Ventures

In this role, Jennifer identifies and leads new investments (with a particular interest in companies in the Pacific Northwest), assists with due diligence efforts, and provides strategic and operational advice to Illuminate portfolio companies. In addition, Jennifer creatively fosters strategic relations with Illuminate’s extended B2B Enterprise network - including our Advisory Council and business school interns. She currently plays a board role for Illuminate portfolio companies Hoopla Software and Pyze and as a board observer with several other companies.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.