A statewide organization tasked with revving startups and business creation has created and filled its first-ever chief investment officer role.
Launch Tennessee announced the hiring of Monique Villa this week. She's been in Nashville for five years, opening the Nashville office of California-based venture capital firm Mucker Capital. Villa also spurred the creation of startup network Build in SE, focused on the Southeast, and previously held roles at other West Coast venture capital firms.
The creation of the role, and Villa's hire, are among the first notable moves LaunchTN CEO Lindsey Cox has made since returning to the organization this spring.
In a press release, Cox heralded Villa as a "powerhouse investment manager … who champions technology development throughout the entire Southeast." Cox said Villa's job will be "building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem across the state by providing financial opportunity to startups in all regions of the state."
LaunchTN, a nonprofit funded almost entirely by taxpayers, is based in Nashville. Villa begins her new role July 1.
