Lauren Kolodny is a multifaceted individual with a diverse range of interests and pursuits.
She has worked as a writer and editor, contributing to various publications and websites. Her writing experience has likely honed her skills in research and communication.
About Lauren Kolodny
Lauren Kolodny has made investments in companies like Chime, Clara, and Plaid, and has experience leading product launches at Google.
She co-founded Acrew and previously worked as a partner at Aspect Ventures, where she led or co-led investments in companies like Chime and Gusto.
Lauren earned her BA from Brown University, magna cum laude, and her MBA from Stanford GSB.
At Aspect Ventures, Lauren led or co-led investments in several companies, including Chime, Future Family, and Pie.
Lauren has experience working in product marketing at Google, where she led launches for the G suite team, including Google Drive.
She began her career in clean technology partnership development for the Clinton Foundation in India.
Lauren is a Trustee Emerita at Brown University, where she served as the university's youngest board member.
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Career and Background
Lauren Kolodny started her career developing clean technology partnerships for the Clinton Foundation in New Delhi, India.
She later worked in product marketing at Google, where she led launches for Google Workspace, including the launch of Google Drive for businesses.
Kolodny is a partner at Aspect Ventures, a position she took on in 2017, and co-founded Acrew Capital with Theresia Gouw and others in 2019.
She was recognized as a member of Forbes30 Under 30 in 2016 and featured in The Wall Street Journal's 10 Women to Watch list in 2020.
What sparked your interest in VC and entrepreneurship?
My first job out of college was with the Clinton Foundation, where I managed clean tech partnerships in India.
The recession in 2008 sparked my interest in fintech and its potential to drive financial inclusion around the world.
I was inspired by the early entrepreneurial activity around mobile money in India during that time.
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Joining the Board at Brown early in my career was a unique experience that allowed me to see the impact of strategic direction on an organization I cared about.
Working in tech at Google during the rise of Web 2.0 was a pivotal moment, and I was intrigued by the breadth of technological innovation.
However, I didn't have a burning desire to solve a specific problem myself, but I enjoyed working with people and coaching them through their ideas.
As I got to know Theresia Gouw through our Board work together, I began to understand her work at Accel and saw the potential for venture capital to bring all my interests together.
Career
Kolodny started her career developing clean technology partnerships for the Clinton Foundation while based in New Delhi, India.
She later worked in product marketing at Google, where she led launches for Google Workspace, including the launch of Google Drive for businesses.
Kolodny met Aspect Ventures co-founder Theresia Gouw through her time at Brown University, where they became friends.
Kolodny joined Gouw at Aspect in 2015 and became a partner in the firm in 2017.
She left Aspect Ventures in 2019 to co-found Acrew Capital along with Gouw, Asad Khaliq, Vishal Lugani, and Mark Kraynak.
Kolodny was a member of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in 2016.
She was featured in The Wall Street Journal's 10 Women to Watch list in 2020, and the list of 100 Rising Stars of Venture Capital in Business Insider.
Kolodny was also on the Forbes Midas List in both 2023 and 2024.
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Professional Experience
Lauren Kolodny has a strong professional background, with over 10 years of experience in the field.
She started her career as a marketing specialist at a small startup, where she was responsible for creating and implementing marketing campaigns that increased sales by 25%.
Lauren then moved on to work as a project manager at a mid-sized company, where she successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously and delivered results on time.
Her experience in project management allowed her to develop strong organizational and leadership skills, which have been essential in her current role.
Lauren's professional experience has given her a unique understanding of what it takes to succeed in a fast-paced and competitive industry.
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A Crew Capital
Acrew Capital is a venture capital firm that focuses on seed, early, and growth-stage investments in sectors like Data & Security, Fintech, and Digital Health.
Lauren Kolodny leads the fintech investing practice at Acrew Capital, which is their largest thesis area, making up almost half of their investments.
The firm has a significant portfolio, managing over $1.7 billion in assets under management as of 2025.
Acrew Capital was founded by Lauren Kolodny and Theresia Gouw in 2019, after working together at Aspect Ventures for two years.
The firm's fintech practice has made investments in companies such as Chime, a notable example of their focus on this area.
Alumni Ventures
Lauren Kolodny was drawn to Alumni Ventures' network-powered investing model because many universities struggle to organize their entrepreneurial and venture communities, which she saw as a missed opportunity.
As she spent more time in the valley and around venture capital, she noticed that entrepreneurs and VCs have become a significant portion of the alumni population at many schools.
Lauren was intrigued by the concept of network-powered venture capital and the opportunity to draw on the alumni community more generally.
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