Alumni Ventures Group

Alumni Ventures Group is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with offices across North America. It provides access to venture investing for individual accredited investors, particularly alumni networks, by offering diversified portfolios of venture opportunities and allowing members to invest alongside fellow alumni in ventures led by peers. The firm backs early-stage and later-stage opportunities across technology, consumer, healthcare, financial services, and other sectors, with a sector- and geography-agnostic approach. It typically invests between $10,000 and $3 million per deal and emphasizes the involvement of alumni connections and an institutional lead investor in opportunities. Alumni Ventures also offers focused funds to broaden participation, enabling accredited investors to access venture portfolios diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. The model aims to democratize access to venture capital while maintaining rigorous selection standards through alumni networks.

Rob Adams

Managing Partner

Andrew Baum

Vice President, Treasury and Capital Management

David Beazley

Managing Partner

Matthew Caspari

Managing Partner

Matt Castellini

Senior Associate

Helen Chen

CEO Services Analyst

Cainon Coates

Partner

Michael Collins

Investor

David Cynn

Managing Partner

Thomas Edwards

Associate

Mason Hale

Senior Associate, Chestnut Street and Triphammer Ven

Erik Hammer

Partner

Brian Keil

Managing Partner

Jin Kim

Senior Vice President, Office of Investments

Ron Levin

Jess Liu-Brown

Principal

Catherine Lu

Managing Partner, Spike and Deep Tech Fund

Michael Madden

Managing Partner and Co-Founder

Todd McIntyre

Managing Partner

Jonathan Meltzer

Partner

Tom Meyer

Managing Partner

Keith Murphy

Director, Video Programs

David S. Muson

CFO

Kayla Phillips

Senior Associate

Aisha Robinson

VP of Strategic Communications

Ludwig Schulze

Managing Partner

Matt Scott

Managing Partner

Saad Shaheen

Investor Operations Manager

David Shapiro

Managing Partner

Anton Simunovic

Investor

Chris Sklarin

Managing Partner

Stephen Stolzenberg

Senior Associate

Justin Strausbaugh

Managing Partner

Edward Tsai

Managing Partner

Drew Wandzilak

Senior Associate

Ray Wu

Managing Partner

Henri Yuan

Investor / President

Past deals in Cosmetics

Provenance

Venture Round in 2024
Provenance is a technology company that specializes in promoting sustainability and transparency in the consumer goods industry. It operates a platform that validates and communicates the sustainability credentials of consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands, enabling consumers to make informed, eco-friendly purchasing decisions. The platform tracks products from their origin to the point of sale, providing real-time, verifiable data that enhances brand trust and sales. Over 200 leading CPG businesses, including Cult Beauty, The Ordinary, and Shiseido, use Provenance to showcase their sustainability efforts. As a mission-driven, independent B Corp, Provenance aims to empower consumers to make choices that positively impact both people and the planet.

PrismPop

Seed Round in 2022
PrismPop is a mobile‑first social commerce platform that connects beauty consumers with personalized product recommendations and community‑driven content. Launched in 2018 and headquartered in Pasadena, California, the company enables users to discover, review, and share beauty products while providing third‑party manufacturers a channel to reach engaged shoppers. Its technology blends curated content, user interaction, and data insights to create a safe, personalized space where individuals can document their beauty journeys and recommend products to peers.

Seaspire Skincare

Seed Round in 2022
Seaspire Skincare specializes in developing multifunctional colorants and actives inspired by ocean biodiversity. Its flagship product, Xanthochrome, offers broader UV protection and aims to replace harmful ingredients in skincare products, promoting sustainability and reduced adverse effects on human and marine health.

Exponent Beauty

Seed Round in 2021
Founded in March 2019 by Liz Whitman, Exponent Beauty specializes in providing skincare information and related products. It offers tools such as skin concern selectors, product recommendations, and a vitamin C test kit to assist consumers in formulating effective skincare routines.

PrismPop

Pre Seed Round in 2020
PrismPop is a mobile‑first social commerce platform that connects beauty consumers with personalized product recommendations and community‑driven content. Launched in 2018 and headquartered in Pasadena, California, the company enables users to discover, review, and share beauty products while providing third‑party manufacturers a channel to reach engaged shoppers. Its technology blends curated content, user interaction, and data insights to create a safe, personalized space where individuals can document their beauty journeys and recommend products to peers.

PrismPop

Convertible Note in 2020
PrismPop is a mobile‑first social commerce platform that connects beauty consumers with personalized product recommendations and community‑driven content. Launched in 2018 and headquartered in Pasadena, California, the company enables users to discover, review, and share beauty products while providing third‑party manufacturers a channel to reach engaged shoppers. Its technology blends curated content, user interaction, and data insights to create a safe, personalized space where individuals can document their beauty journeys and recommend products to peers.

Busy

Venture Round in 2019
Busy Co. is a personal care products company that offers an innovative line of zero-waste wipes designed for women's convenience. The company specializes in a range of products, including body, face, and deodorant wipes, all made from upcycled, unbleached cotton that biodegrades quickly and provides skincare benefits through high-quality cosmetic ingredients. Busy Co. is notable for its commitment to sustainability, featuring first-of-its-kind recyclable packaging. The compact design of its products allows them to fit easily into purses, gym bags, and suitcases, making personal care accessible on the go. The brand has gained recognition in various media outlets, including Business Insider, Forbes, and BuzzFeed, highlighting its unique approach to personal care.

Friendshop

Seed Round in 2019
Friendshop is an online retail company specializing in beauty and skincare products, headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 2018, it offers a diverse range of cosmetics including eye makeup, face makeup, and lip products, alongside skincare items such as anti-aging treatments, exfoliators, face masks, and sunscreens. The company features a unique approach by allowing users to recruit friends to shop together, enabling them to access special deals. Through its focus on e-commerce and product design, Friendshop aims to enhance the online shopping experience for beauty enthusiasts.

RealSelf

Series B in 2018
RealSelf, Inc. operates a platform that serves individuals considering elective cosmetic treatments. Founded in 2005 and based in Seattle, Washington, the company aims to enhance transparency in the cosmetic and aesthetic treatment market, which encompasses a diverse range of services from skin treatments to cosmetic surgeries. The platform allows users to access detailed information about various procedures, share personal experiences, and connect with medical providers. RealSelf features contributions from thousands of medical professionals who have answered over two million questions, provided educational videos, and shared patient testimonials, including before and after photos. This community-driven approach helps potential patients make informed decisions about their cosmetic treatment options.

Manus Bio

Series A in 2017
Manus Bio recreates plant processes in microorganisms using fermentation technology. This enables the production of natural ingredients such as flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, bio-pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, offering businesses affordable and sustainable solutions.

Manus Bio

Venture Round in 2017
Manus Bio recreates plant processes in microorganisms using fermentation technology. This enables the production of natural ingredients such as flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, bio-pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, offering businesses affordable and sustainable solutions.

Madison Reed

Series C in 2015
Madison Reed, Inc. is a beauty company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in manufacturing hair care products, including permanent hair colors, root touch-up products, and color reviving glosses. The company employs a proprietary ammonia-free formula and uses technology to provide salon-quality hair color at home for an affordable price. Madison Reed also offers a range of hair care accessories and tools, such as color bowls, brushes, and professional color kits. In addition to its extensive online product offerings, the company operates hair color salons in California and provides franchising opportunities. Founded in 2013, Madison Reed is committed to creating hair coloring formulations that are free from harsh ingredients like ammonia and parabens, incorporating beneficial nutrients such as keratin and argan oil to cater to individual customer needs.
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