Stephanie M. Shorter

Investor Relations

2019 - Current

Practical Venture Capital (PVC) is a Silicon Valley VC secondary firm that buys fund interests from LPs and GPs in top-performing VC funds. VC secondary combines the growth potential of venture capital with a shorter liquidity profile more typical of private equity. We provide access to high-quality venture portfolios at significant discounts (25-50%) to NAV. Breakout companies within these portfolios have typically raised Series B/C/D financing from top-tier VCs, and are potential IPO candidates in 3-5 years. PVC was founded by Dave McClure, a 25-year Silicon Valley veteran entrepreneur and VC (500 Startups, Founders Fund, PayPal) who has invested in 15+ unicorns and 5 IPOs at the Seed or Series A stage. He was listed in the top 100 Global VCs by Forbes in both 2016 and 2017. General Partner Aman Verjee (CFA, JD) has 15+ years experience working and investing in tech startups, and has led finance and operations for Fortune 500 companies (eBay, PayPal) and growth companies such as Sonos (NASDAQ: SONO). Aman has led > $1B in financings as CFO. Our partners have invested in over 40 VC funds and hundreds of companies around the world, including multiple IPOs and unicorns.

Partner

2023

Our mission is to make an impact on emerging tech companies and the stakeholders they serve. We help emerging companies, and the ecosystems they operate in, build long-term sustainable businesses and realize their own impact on the world. For over 20 years, Sustainable Alpha has been helping emerging companies, venture capital and private equity firms build sustainable businesses and deliver on their investment thesis.

Co-Founder

2018

The Cutting-Edge Lawyer is a tech solution to address the epidemic level of suffering that lawyers are facing. Co-founder J. Kim Wright and I are driven to help alleviate that suffering and help lawyers find their way to practice that is in alignment with their values. We are building an app based on lawyer wellness research, neuroscience research, and the best practices of behavior design. Designed for compassion, emotional intelligence, and community/peer support, The Cutting-Edge Lawyer delivers content in six-minute increments, inspired the billable chunks of time into which many lawyers divide their overworked days. Unlike the snarky stereotype of lawyers, they are uniquely positioned to create social change and be multi-generational peacebuilders. The Cutting-Edge Lawyer is addressing what will serve them in stepping more fully into that new paradigm of practicing law--for themselves, for their clients, and for the world.

Lightning Stage Chair

2020 - 2021

Neurotech Lead, TransTech Academy

2018 - 2021

Core Team Member

2015 - 2021

Neuroscience Advisor

2020 - 2021

Biometrical music recommendation that matches the right music to the user’s physiological and psychological state.

Founder

2018 - 2021

Good Monkey is an iOS mobile app and accompanying vendor web app for e-commerce (originally built for a new model of food preorder and takeout). It was acquired in Q3/2021.

Associate Editor

2015 - 2019

Kosmos Journal, The Journal for World Citizens Creating the New Civilization, is widely recognized as the premier publication on the growing global commons movement.

Assistant Editor

2009 - 2015

Kosmos Journal, The Journal for World Citizens Creating the New Civilization, is widely recognized as the premier publication on the growing global commons movement.

Business Manager

2009 - 2010

As the Business Manager, I was responsible for journal production, distribution (subscribers, libraries, retail), and all aspects of financial management. Since the end of December, I have continued to serve Kosmos only in an editing capacity.

Neuroscientist + Behavior Designer

2016 - 2018

Behavior Delta supports mission-driven companies in helping their end users make healthy and impactful behavior changes. We focus on tech x mindfulness x sustainability. My expertise is in incorporating cutting-edge neuroscience and behavioral research to inform product design, including UI emotional intelligence to neurocommunication strategies after the product is launched. Behavior Design for good!

Behavior Designer

2015 - 2016

engagedIN is a neuroscience behavior design firm that uses behavior + neuroscience + creativity to solve some of the trickiest engagement and behavior change issues in the health and wellness industry. With deep healthcare expertise, Midwest common sense, and Harvard + Stanford training, we innovate solutions for our clients who span Fortune 100, senior living, federal government, health tech, athletics, and retail fitness.

Science Columnist, Science for the Yoga Therapist

2014 - 2016

Yoga Therapy Today is a publication of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.