Sydney Sykes

Partner

2022 - Current

Investing in generation-defining commerce and digital health companies. Working with: Archive Resale, Big Sur AI, YaySay

Scout Investor

2020 - 2022

Scout Investments include: Archive Resale, PIN, Gander, Influent, You Go Natural, Apothekary, Whym Angel investments include: Inkbox (Acq., BIC), Players' Lounge, Blacktag

Co-Chair of the Board

2022

Co-Founder, Co-CEO

2018 - 2022

BLCK VC is the largest community of Black Venture investors, focused on empowering and advancing Black venture investors and increasing Black representation in Venture Capital. - Led and fundraised for a multi-million dollar budget - Led team of 6+, including hiring, professional development, and feedback and performance management - Led strategy, strategic budgeting, and execution for the organization, including 30+ volunteers, 6 regional chapters, 5 committees, 4 national annual programs, and 400+program participants

Principal (internship)

2021 - 2021

Wave is a seed stage venture firm that specializes in marketplaces.

Senior Strategy & Planning Associate

2020 - 2020

Led strategy to drive native brand growth, including launching new brands and expanding offerings from existing brands Managed native brand response to COVID-19 pandemic delays Led social media strategy and evaluation based on net new analysis and tools

Inventory Planner

2019 - 2020

Managed growth forecasting and inventory planning for multi-million dollar native brands Led analysis and created planning tools that led to the expansion of Plus sizes and Mens offerings Created sizing tools to improve inventory accuracy for native brands and branded products

Project Coordinator

2019 - 2019

Designed custom wedding and event invitations; coordinated material sourcing, project production, and client relationships.

Investment Analyst

2016 - 2018

First investment analyst at one of the largest, longest-standing Venture Capital firms in the US. Focused on due diligence, investment operations, sourcing, and thesis development.

Co-President (2015), Sponsorships Chair (2014)

2014 - 2016

• Lead organization of over 300 members. • Initiated first ever Diversity Director position and Women of Color in Business series to increase diversity. • Initiated press outreach strategy, resulting in coverage from publications such as the New York Observer and Forbes Magazine for the Intercollegiate Business Convention, which hosts over 1,200 international attendees annually. • Lead Sponsorships Committee responsible for raising over $150k annually to fund the New York Career Exploratory Trip, the International Career Exploratory Trip, and the Intercollegiate Business Convention. Acquired sponsors include Starbucks, Facebook, and Goldman Sachs. • Represented organization on national Chinese television during 2015 International Career Exploratory Trip to Shanghai, China (link).

Summer Business Analyst

2015 - 2015

• Mined data and created models in Excel to predict impact of recommendations and analyze markets. • Presented research to and conducted workshops for clients on recommendations.

Summer Business Analyst

2014 - 2014

• Conducted client and expert interviews to create industry overview. • Mined data and created models in Excel to predict impact of recommendations and analyze markets.

Research Intern

2013 - 2014

• Researched the intersections of psychology and business and presented findings on and analysis of strategic social medial marketing.