KD

Katelyn Donnelly

Managing Partner at Avalanche Investor

Austin, Texas

Overview 

Katelyn Donnelly is the Managing Partner at Avalanche VC in Austin, Texas. With a background in management consulting and entrepreneurship, she has successfully co-founded and managed multiple companies while making strategic investments in various sectors such as GovTech, Education, and FinTech. Noteworthy highlights of her career include founding Avalanche VC and Delivery Associates, as well as making impactful investments in companies like OfferFit and Riff Analytics.

Work Experience 

  • Founder and Managing Partner

    2022 - Current

    We're not looking for a unicorn. We're looking for an avalanche. We invest early behind massive trends transforming how people learn, earn, and own.

  • Co-Founder, Director, and Board Member

    2013 - 2022

    Over the years, I have played every role as we’ve built the company: the first point of contact for a new delivery unit; training government officials; revamping our marketing strategy; introducing technology and building the product suite; recruiting senior members of our stellar team; devising the exit to Private Equity (Trill Partners); and, last but not least, serving as a Board member. DA drives large scale public outcomes in partnership with governments and social impact organizations. The deliverology approach has been successfully applied in 40+ countries across education, health and economic development. Technology products being used by Prime Ministers, Governors, Mayors, Ministers and other senior leaders of 30+ countries. I also founded DA Digital, the division of Delivery Associates, to build digital products to accelerate progress, solve problems, and analyze data for governments.

  • Fractional CFO

    2020 - 2021

    Coding Dojo is one of the largest bootcamps in the world and has helped thousands of students learn the skills to pursue more fulfilling careers as software developers

  • Fellow - Class 21

    2016 - 2018

    The Kauffman Fellowship is a prestigious two-year program dedicated exclusively to the world of venture capital and the cultivation of new high-technology, high-growth, high-impact companies. To date, Kauffman Fellows have made $6 billion in venture capital investments, sparking growth in hundreds of new enterprises, $15 billion in annually recurring revenues, and the creation of 50,000 jobs.

Co-investment VC firm supporting the mission of the Kauffman Fellows

  • co-founder and Managing Director

    2012 - 2017

    Pearson Ventures (prior PALF) is a venture fund with $65M of capital that invests in private schools, education technology, and scalable services in emerging markets. By the end of 2016, had 10 portfolio companies across 6 countries averaging 140% revenue growth and marked at ~20% gross IRR. +Managed and co-founded the fund from inception including structuring, sourcing, deal management, deal execution, and portfolio management +Managed investment committee including CEO, CFO, and others +Board member of 5 companies: SPARK Schools, APEC Schools, Omega Schools, HarukaEDU, and Avanti Learning Centres.

  • Chief of Staff

    2011 - 2012

    Pearson is the world's leading education company. From pre-school to high school, early learning to professional certification, Pearson curriculum materials, multimedia learning tools, and testing programs help to educate millions of people worldwide. Pearson also included the Financial Times Group and Penguin books. +Built the Office of the Chief Education Advisor and reported to Sir Michael Barber. +Devised the first global efficacy strategy and oversaw the implementation +Built the Research and Innovation team and contributed strategy papers on the future of education

  • Senior Business Analyst

    2008 - 2011

McKinsey Growth Tech serves leading growth stage tech players, venture capital, and growth private equity

  • Global Credit Initiative

    2010 - 2011

  • President

    2006 - 2008

    Led DUU consisting of 25 executive/programming directors, reassessed the ~$1 million dollar budget, and advocated arts and student interests to campus administrators Union operations include the Duke Coffeehouse, WXDU radio station, Small Town Records - a recording studio and record label, Cable13 - Duke's cable television station, Freewater Productions, film presentations, campus concerts (e.g., Regina Spektor, T.I. and the Roots), major speakers (e.g., Karl Rove, John Waters, Chuck Klosterman), and Joe College Day

Duke University Union is a student organisation that provides arts, media, and event programming.

  • Fixed Income Trading Analyst

    2007 - 2007

Morgan Stanley Venture Partners is a private equity firm that invests in high-growth companies in the technology and healthcare industries.

  • Brand Manager

    2005 - 2006

    Red Bull on-campus marketing strategy

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