Next Wave Impact
Impact investorUtah · Pre-Seed–Seed · 10 people tracked
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Investment thesis
NextWave Impact operates a learning-by-doing progressive fund model with the core mission of increasing diversity, inclusion, and impact in early-stage investing. The fund leverages a global network of 99 women investors, including 25 women of color, led by an experienced investment committee of ten women. All portfolio companies are led by women and people of color. The firm is committed to training and educating angel investors who focus on both social impact and financial returns while investing in underrepresented entrepreneurs across diversified industries and geographies.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 27, 2026.
Team · 10 people
from the firm's website & curated & public directoriesFounding partner of Athena CFO with experience in entrepreneurship, emerging markets, angel investing, and impact finance. She founded the Women's Angel Investor Network in the Middle East and has worked across microfinance and social enterprise.
Founder and CEO of Next Wave Impact and managing partner of two early-stage venture funds. An economist, author, and active angel investor, she previously served as a senior fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and worked at the Federal Reserve and SBA, and received the 2020 Hans Severiens Award.
Over 25 years in sustainable business, marketing and natural systems; launched two startups and worked at Air Products and Conservation International.
Technology and impact-investing veteran with over 35 years in IT, focused on using technology to address social and development challenges across financial services, health care, and education, with emphasis on Africa and Asia.
Consultant to for-profit and nonprofit organizations on operational improvement and change management. She has worked at Accenture, LivCor, and various startups and supports women's entrepreneurial efforts as both an entrepreneur and investor.
Managing partner with the JUMP Fund, which invests in women entrepreneurs. She previously served as assistant dean at UT Chattanooga's College of Business and has held leadership roles in education and nonprofit organizations.
Angel Capital Association board member who evaluates and mentors startups with an emphasis on women-led businesses. She previously spent 16+ years at Kaplan Higher Education Campuses and has entrepreneurial experience as a company founder.
President of Power Within Consulting, an innovation and strategy firm she founded in 2014, following 18 years in global R&D at Procter & Gamble. She is an active member of Queen City Angels and mentors entrepreneurs.
Leadership coach and consultant who has invested in early-stage, high-growth companies since 1997. She co-founded WomenAngels.net and the Women's Growth Capital Fund and remains active in organized angel investing groups.
Global capital markets executive with 15 years of investing experience and a focus on social impact, aging, and financial inclusion. She has held roles at State Street Global Advisors, Barclays Global Investors, and Goldman Sachs, and holds the CAIA and CFA designations.
What they invest in
from 11 of 16 portfolio companiesImpact & Social Good ×4Climate Tech ×3Cleantech ×2Direct to Consumer ×2Healthtech ×2HR Tech ×2Wellness & Fitness ×2AgTech ×1
HQs:United States×11
Who they back
founder profiles across 9 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×82 founders×1
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 16 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2024 · 12021 · 12019 · 35 dated
Aquacycl provides onsite industrial wastewater treatment using its patented technology to treat high-strength wastewater without dilution, offering energy-neutral operation, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and water reuse.
Circular EconomyCleantechClimate TechImpact & Social GoodEscondido, US
Orianna Bretschger(Executive Officer, Director)inMichael Jones(Director)Anil Jha(Director)
Co-investorsAd Astra VenturesCreative Destruction Lab (CDL)Keshif Ventures8090 Industries
Joylux develops a line of consumer products focused on women's intimate and pelvic floor health, created with input from an Ob-Gyn to address changes women experience post-delivery and with age.
Direct to ConsumerFemTechWellness & FitnessSeattle, US
Colette Courtion(Founder)inRobert Cross(Director)Richard Boxer(Director)Peter Weiss(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsCentral Texas Angel NetworkGoddessHealthtech CapitalHouston Angel NetworkJ-ImpactJ-Ventures+7 more
Kuli is an AI-powered tool for marketing teams that automates creator discovery, campaign analysis, and content monitoring.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSan Francisco, US
Michael Hodara(CEO)inJonathan Hassan(CRO)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorAndreessen HorowitzAstiaAUTHENTIC VENTURESBlast.ClubInvestEco+2 more
Kuli Kuli sells moringa-based food and wellness supplements, including gummies, capsules, and powders aimed at consumers focused on nutrition and wellness.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechImpact & Social GoodWellness & FitnessOakland, US
Lisa Curtis(Founder)in
Co-investorsAstiaAUTHENTIC VENTURESCeniarthCerity Partners VenturesGolden SeedsInvestEco+4 more
Localized offers expert-led training and certification programs for professionals and organizations in fields such as AI, carbon/ESG intelligence, virtual/remote collaboration, and career readiness.
EdTechFuture of WorkHR TechWashington, US
Ronit Avni(CEO)inDevin Young(Chief AI Officer)in
Co-investorsBisk VenturesCapria VenturesOne Planet GroupMindshift Capital
Motivo provides clinical supervision and support services for newly graduated therapists entering the mental health workforce, helping behavioral health organizations address the shortage of qualified mental health providers.
HealthtechHR TechMental HealthChattanooga, US
Rachel Ledbetter(Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsMindshift CapitalOverlineSteelSky VenturesTechstarsECMC GroupGreat Oaks Venture Capital
NeedsList is a platform that matches community needs with offers of support to improve humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
GovTechImpact & Social Good
Amanda Levinson(Founder)inNatasha Freidus(Founder)in
Co-investorsAmplio VenturesMarigold CapitalTomorrow Today AS
Resilia is a SaaS platform providing capacity-building tools, coaching, and insights for nonprofits and foundations.
Impact & Social GoodSaaSNew Orleans, US
Sevetri Wilson(Founder and CEO)in
Co-investorsBIP VenturesCallais Capital ManagementFramework Venture PartnersGaingelsMana VenturesNew Orleans Startup Fund+7 more
Stony Creek Colors manufactures traceable, 100% plant-based indigo and non-indigo dyes as a replacement for synthetic, petrochemical-derived colorants, sold as powder, paste, or liquid to denim mills, fashion brands, and independent makers.
AgTechClimate TechNew MaterialsGoodlettsville, US
Sarah Bellos(Executive Officer, Director)inMark Cooley(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardShonda Warner(Director)
Co-investorsInnova Memphis, Inc.iSelect FundSorenson Impact Foundation
CleantechClimate TechSeattle, US
Erin Rothman(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inPat LaPointe(Director)Teri Floyd(Director)
Co-investors9Mile LabsE8 AngelsTechstarsBuoyant Ventures Management, LlcBURNT ISLAND VENTURESGratitude Railroad+3 more
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
All Across AfricaConnxusGeospizaNeprisSolsticeUVision 360
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesKuli · ycombinator.com · May 4, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Next Wave Impact made?
- Next Wave Impact has 16 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited.
- What stage does Next Wave Impact invest at?
- Next Wave Impact invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What sectors does Next Wave Impact focus on?
- Next Wave Impact focuses on Impact & Social Good.
- Where is Next Wave Impact located?
- Next Wave Impact is headquartered in Utah, US.
- Who does Next Wave Impact co-invest with?
- Next Wave Impact most often shares deals with Ceniarth, Mindshift Capital, Portfolia, among 42 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamA Conversation with Alicia Robb and Danny Knee
Community Investment Corporation (CIC Tucson) · Alicia Robb
Investor Connect - 359 - Alicia Robb of Next Wave Impact - YouTube
Hall Martin · Alicia Robb
Sanctuary Speaker Series: Alicia Robb of Next Wave Impact - YouTube
farmsanctuary · Alicia Robb
Elevating Female Founders and Funders with Alicia Robb of Next Wave Impact - YouTube
Untold Content · Alicia Robb
Alicia Robb of Next Wave Impact: An Army of Women Investing in Vegan Businesses - YouTube
Elysabeth Alfano · Alicia Robb
Co-investors · 1
Blue Horizon Corporation is an investment firm focused on accelerating the transition to a sustainable food system, aiming to deliver strong returns for people and the planet.
Firms observed investing alongside Next Wave Impact, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Next Wave Impact's recorded portfolio.
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