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Donna Harris

Investor

CEO + Partner at Builders + Backers

McLean, Virginia, United States

Writes $50K – $100K checks

Find your path to Donna

213 people in our graph share verified history with Donna — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Steve CaseunlockedDonna: together at Startup America Partnership (2011–2013)
×2Donna: together at Startup America Partnership
×5Donna: together at // Praxis //
×3Donna: together at EDS Group

About

Donna Harris leads Builders + Backers as CEO and serves as a general partner of both Builders + Backers Capital and 1776 Ventures, alongside a venture partner role at Praxis. Previously Managing Director of the Startup America Partnership under the Obama Administration, she cofounded K Street Capital and invests actively as an angel, and was named among the top 25 female early-stage investors in the U.S. in 2021. She also sits on the board of the Global Entrepreneurship Network and the Economic Innovation Group's Policy Council, and holds a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University, an MBA from the University of Michigan, and an honorary Doctor of Laws from American University.

Contact· published on Donna's own website

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningConsumerCrypto & Web3Data & InfrastructureEdTechEnterprise SoftwareFintechFuture of WorkHealthtechInsurTechMarketplacesMedia & EntertainmentSaaSSocial

Experience

  1. Builders + BackersFounder & CEOcurrent2017 — present
  2. Global Entrepreneurship NetworkBoard Membercurrent2013 — present
  3. 1776Cofounder, General Partnercurrent2013 — presentWashington D.C. Metro Area
  4. // Praxis //Venture Partner2018 — 2025
  5. Startup America PartnershipManaging Director2011 — 2013Washington D.C. Metro Area
  6. The World Academy for the Future of WomenBoard Member2011 — 2012
  7. Commision33CEO2010 — 2011
  8. Interpoint Group / National Strategies, Inc.Vice Chair, CMO2010
  9. National Strategies, Inc.Chief Operating Officer2006 — 2010
  10. Vale Solutions / KinderstreetPresident and CEO2000 — 2005
  11. CentromineVice President1999 — 2000
  12. CC CorporationPresident and CEO1998 — 1999
  13. Oracle CorporationSales Representative1995 — 1997
  14. EDS GroupSystems Engineer1990 — 1995Greater Detroit Area

Skills & more

Strategic Planning99Public Speaking40Management8Leadership3Strategy16Start-ups99Non-profits16Business Strategy99Business Development89Fundraising45Marketing Strategy49Strategic Partnerships99
+12 moreEntrepreneurshipVenture CapitalStrategic CommunicationsPublic RelationsSocial MediaExecutive ManagementGovernmentMarketingBusiness InnovationNonprofitsNonprofit OrganizationsManagement Consulting

From Donna's professional profile.

Investments

Investor

GrubMarketGuild EducationID.meKingsCrowdMPower FinancingNXCRPacaso

Per curated public sources.

Colleagues at Builders + Backers

Byron White
Builder-in-Residence at Builders + Backers
Courtney Baker
Director of Technical Solutions at Builders + Backers
Dave Dworschak
Builder-in-Residence at Builders + Backers
Donald Smith
Builder-in-Residence at Builders + Backers
Eric Sillies
Builder-in-residence at Builders + Backers
Erich Broksas
Chief Operating Officer + Partner at Builders + Backers
Gisele Gerry
Director of Marketing Solutions at Builders + Backers
Jared Stark
General Counsel at Builders + Backers

Network9

Greg BettinelliScout
Partner at The Chernin Group (TCG Crypto)
Kathleen HaleScout
Partner at Builders + Backers
Rick HeitzmannScout
Founder and Partner at FirstMark Capital
Sukhinder Singh CassidyScout
Venture Advisor at Acrew Capital
Aihui Ong
General Partner, Transform Capital at xfactor ventures
Atin Batra
Founder & General Partner at 27V (Twenty Seven Ventures)
Brian Keil
Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures
Cassie Bowe
Partner at Energy Impact Partners
David Beazley
Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures

Investors connected to Donna in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Donna Harris?
Donna Harris leads Builders + Backers as CEO and serves as a general partner of both Builders + Backers Capital and 1776 Ventures, alongside a venture partner role at Praxis. Previously Managing Director of the Startup America Partnership under the Obama Administration, she cofounded K Street Capital and invests actively as an angel, and was named among the top 25 female early-stage investors in the U.S. in 2021. She also sits on the board of the Global Entrepreneurship Network and the Economic Innovation Group's Policy Council, and holds a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University, an MBA from the University of Michigan, and an honorary Doctor of Laws from American University.
Where does Donna Harris work?
Donna Harris is CEO + Partner at Builders + Backers.
What does Donna Harris invest in?
Donna Harris invests in AI & Machine Learning, Consumer, Crypto & Web3, Data & Infrastructure, EdTech, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Future of Work, Healthtech, InsurTech, Marketplaces, Media & Entertainment, SaaS, Social.
What check size does Donna Harris write?
Donna Harris typically writes checks of $50K – $100K.
What companies has Donna Harris invested in?
Investments tracked here include GrubMarket, Guild Education, ID.me, KingsCrowd, MPower Financing, NXCR, Pacaso.
Where did Donna Harris go to school?
Donna Harris studied at University of Michigan (MBA, Strategy); Central Michigan University (BSBA).

Same school

Shared employers