May Newsletter: Expanding the Circle of Opportunity
Spring momentum, coast-to-coast convenings, and stories shaping the future of VC
In this issue:
2025 Emerging Manager Showcase – A standout day of connection and discovery in LA
Big Moves in the Community – New roles, promotions, and book launches from our members
Insights + Opportunities – What we’re reading, upcoming events, and how to get involved
🌟SomosVC Hosts the 2025 Annual Emerging Manager Showcase
On May 6th, SomosVC community members, partners, and allies gathered in Beverly Hills to spotlight 5 selected emerging manager leaders at the SomosVC Emerging Manager Showcase: Samara Mejia Hernandez (Chingona Ventures), Juan Abundes (Aito Capital), Sergio Monsalve (Roble Ventures), Maren Bannon (January Ventures), and Lucas Vaz (Ravelin Capital). From bold pitches to buzz-worthy conversations, this invite-only event brought together high-potential funds and leading LPs for a day of connection, discovery, and deal flow. Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating the future of VC!
We’re deeply grateful to our sponsors for their generous support: Cambridge Associates, Open Opportunity Fund, and PledgeLA. Another special thank you to the volunteers who contributed their time and effort to making this event such a success.
📕” Latinas in VC”: A Groundbreaking Book Highlights 31 Trailblazers in Venture
In March 2025, Laura Moreno Lucas, co-founder of Libra Leaders — a platform and collective of founders and investors aiming to tip the scales of capital — and General Partner at L'ATTITUDE Ventures, released "Latinas in VC," a book showcasing the journeys of 31 Latina investors. The publication emphasizes the unique perspectives and strategies that Latina women bring to the venture capital industry. Lucas, originally from Mexico, transitioned from law enforcement to finance, eventually leading significant initiatives at NASDAQ before her current role. Learn more here!
Leadership Update: Nancy Torres Named SVP at Open Opportunity Fund
Nancy Torres joins Open Opportunity Fund as the Senior Vice President of Value Creation! In this new role, Nancy will lead efforts to support portfolio companies and drive long-term impact. She joins a distinguished team committed to investing in software companies led by outstanding overlooked entrepreneurs. Read more here.
🏆 SomosVC Fellows on the Rise: New Roles & Big Promotions
🎉 Paulina Muñoz has joined Equal Opportunity Ventures as an Investor! Paulina is a proud alumna of the SomosVC Fellowship—a highly selective program that equips Latino/a professionals with the skills, network, and mentorship needed to thrive in venture capital.
👏🏼 Amalia Mackenzie has also stepped into a new role as an Investor at Norwest. We’re excited to see her continue to grow on such a dynamic platform—wishing her all the best in this next chapter!
🚀 Christopher Rios-Villalobos has been promoted to Senior Associate at Chartline! His continued rise reflects the strength, drive, and talent within our fellowship community.
📅 [May 22] Join Leap Connect at JPMorgan San Francisco
Leap Connect brings a community of investors and founders together to share and learn about Leap’s latest investments and the most relevant news and insights in the industry.
This year, Leap Connect will be open to friends and partners on May 22nd at JP Morgan San Francisco. RSVP to join and connect!
📅 [June 12–13] SHIFT VC 2025: NYC Conference
SHIFT VC is heading to New York City in June for its fourth annual conference. Connect with investors, founders, and operators through tactical sessions and real talk, all while supporting VC Unleashed’s mission to increase racial representation in venture capital.
📅 [Ongoing] Get Listed: 2025 Women Investor List from Ganas Ventures
Ganas Ventures is building the 2025 Women Investor List—a public database designed to increase visibility, deal flow, and connectivity for women investing in startups. Whether you're an angel investor or part of a firm, this is a chance to share your thesis, check size, and contact info with the broader ecosystem.
California Sets the Pace: 2025 Equity-Centered Tech Legislation to Watch
The Kapor Foundation has released its 2025 legislative overview outlining California's evolving tech policy landscape. The report tracks over 50 state bills aimed at embedding equity into CS/AI education, workplace surveillance protections, algorithmic accountability, and broadband/data infrastructure. With California shaping national precedents—from AI governance to digital civil rights—the brief serves as a key reference for understanding where equity efforts are gaining traction in policy.
Smaller Funds, Bigger Impact: Key VC Trends from Carta’s Q4 2024 Report
Carta’s Q4 2024 VC Fund Performance report highlights key shifts in the venture landscape, showing declining returns across fund vintages and a marked advantage for smaller funds in delivering top-tier performance. While overall Internal Rates of Return (IRR) have dropped since their 2021 peaks, funds under $10M are significantly outperforming larger ones in total value generated. However, liquidity remains constrained, with many funds—especially those from recent vintages—yet to return capital to their LPs. These trends emphasize the growing potential of emerging, leaner fund managers in today’s evolving market.
Get involved with SomosVC
Your continued support is essential to achieving our vision. SomosVC invites you to explore ways to get more engaged and support the work SomosVC does.
Become a Mentor: mentor a pre-partner VC from our community or fellowship graduate.
Sponsor a 2025 Event: show your support of the community by sponsoring one of our core events like the Annual Summit, Emerging Manager showcase, or the Avanza Summit.
Donate to SomosVC: as a small non-profit we rely on the support of our generous donors. Every dollar goes towards driving impact within the community.
If you are interested in exploring how to deepen your relationship with SomosVC, reach out to hello@somos.vc.
🌟Step into the Spotlight: Share your story with SomosVC
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