One of Denver’s largest venture capital firms recently made two new hires.
Denver Angels brought on Julie Pearl as chief operating officer and Elyse Kent as a partner at DA Ventures Seed Fund, a pre-seed and seed-stage fund that Denver Angels launched in September.
Denver Angels is the ninth-largest VC fund in the Denver metro, according to Denver Business Journal research. More than half the firm’s leadership roles are now held by women.
“[Julie and Elyse’s] passion for growing great teams and combined track records speak volumes,” David Prichard, CEO of Denver Angels, said in a statement. “We are confident that their involvement will enhance our value proposition, secure more exceptional investment opportunities and strengthen the support we provide to the companies we invest in.”
Pearl has more than two decades of experience working in tech including leadership and management roles at Google, Microsoft and Motorola Mobility (which was acquired by Google in 2012).
In her new role, Pearl oversees daily operations at Denver Angels, offers advice to founders and guides investment decisions.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Denver Angels team and look forward to helping promote our mission of empowering entrepreneurs and investors alike,” Pearl said, in a statement. “I look forward to helping bridge the gap between startups and funding they need to create a stronger, economically vibrant Colorado.”
Kent joins DA Ventures after taking some time off to immerse herself in the “far corners of the world,” she said on LinkedIn. Kent has more than a decade of experience in emerging tech and assisting venture-backed companies and most recently served as the head of platform and an investor at VC firm Access Venture Partners. She’s also worked at Gravity Haus, Built In and the Downtown Denver Partnership and co-founded Paired, a Colorado networking group.
“I’m looking forward to bringing a candid and sincere approach to venture along with a much-needed dose of humility,” she said on LinkedIn. “We have already made our first four investments, including RADICL, Iris Finance, Urban Sky and Safety Radar. These investments are a good indicator of what we look for — disruptive technology [and a] determined founding team — in Colorado and emerging [geographies]. We’re looking to continue the momentum.”
At DA Ventures, Kent is responsible for driving new investments and fostering “the next generation of innovators,” the firm said.
The VC firm works with more than 700 accredited investors, including high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Prichard previously told the DBJ that the firm invests in and helps accelerate pre-seed to Series B-stage companies and typically invests in eight to 12 Colorado-based companies each year.
Denver Angels and DA Ventures Seed Fund have invested in Tilly, GoodBuy Gear, Urban Sky, Sheets & Giggles, Pepper and M.C. Squares, which filed for bankruptcy in December.
DA Ventures Seed Fund is expected to invest between $100,000 and $1 million in 20 to 40 startups over the next four years, the company previously said.
