About Patricia Nakache
Named by Fortune as one of Venture Capital’s “most powerful female investment partners,” Patricia invests in technology-enabled consumer and business services and is an active champion of diversity in the VC and startup ecosystems. Beyond investing, she serves as a board member of the National Venture Capital Association and lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Entrepreneurs defy the odds at every turn with almost superhuman effort and intensity. I strive to be their best supporting actress, leveraging my experience and relationships to help them realize their dreams.
How did you decide to become a venture capitalist?
In 1999, I had recently left McKinsey & Company to join the dot-com revolution and was working as a startup marketing director. On the side, for fun, I was writing freelance for Fortune Magazine about some of the innovative approaches to management being pioneered by Silicon Valley tech companies. For my reporting, I got to know many venture capitalists, and the Trinity team asked me to join them. Upon joining, I was immediately energized by the caliber of the entrepreneurs and innovation we see every day. Here I am, nearly two decades later, still loving every day.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Without a doubt, the greatest rewards come from supporting the amazing feats and successes of our entrepreneurs. I particularly love the pivotal moment when my portfolio companies achieve product-market fit and can turn their attention to scaling. Entrepreneurs defy the odds at every turn with almost superhuman effort and intensity, and I strive to be their best supporting actress, leveraging my experience and relationships to help them realize their dreams.
What about Trinity Ventures makes you proudest and why?
Trinity has a culture built on fairness, trust and intellectual honesty. It embraces diversity, and it requires everyone to check their egos at the door. We have deep respect for our entrepreneurs and limited partners, and our approach to solving problems is highly collaborative. Our culture is the bedrock of the longevity and success of our firm.
