Fundraising Fox

Donna Harris

Investor

CEO + Partner at Builders + Backers

McLean, Virginia, United States

Writes $50K – $100K checks

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.

LinkedIn ↗X / Twitter ↗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

Education

  1. University of MichiganMBA, Strategy
  2. Central Michigan UniversityBSBA1986 — 1990

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.

Same school

Also attended University of Michigan495

Erik TorenbergGeneral Partner at Andreessen HorowitzKarim FarisInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Glen AndersonPartner at Monta Vista CapitalAlexandra FarmerPrincipal at Intel Capital, North AmericaHannah KrootMarketing Lead at Intel CapitalScott ShawChief of Staff at Intel Capital

+ 489 more

Also attended Central Michigan University14

Doug NealManaging Director at eLab VenturesNathan OwenGeneral Partner at Grand VenturesMike BoeraMajor General USAF (ret.) at NEW VISTA CAPITALGreg HodgsonFormer Senior Director at the Boeing Company at NEW VISTA CAPITALMark McPeakVP of Manufacturing at Siddhi CapitalBrad JohnsPartner at Yaletown Partners

+ 8 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Global Entrepreneurship Network6

Dr. Mazin AlzaidiGeneral Partner at STVJaime CaveroEarly Stage Mentor at Draper B1Jeremy LiddleInvestor at SDGxKristin GarciaEcosystem Advisor at Cortado VenturesCJ CornellManaging Director at Propel Venture PartnersMario MitchellGeneral Partner at Mech Ventures

Also worked at // Praxis //6

Brannon JonesPrincipal at AlleyCorpEvan LoomisVenture Partner at Audere CapitalJason LocyFounder, FiveStone at Tribes VenturesBen ChelfGeneral Partner at Elementum VenturesRichard ClayPartner at Dorm RoomKenton JarvieFounder at Flint

Also worked at Startup America Partnership4

Steve CaseChairman & CEO of Revolution; co-founder of AOLTien WongTech investor, entrepreneur, and CEO; Chairman & CEO of Opus8Richard Swart, PhDFamily Office Advisor & Impact Investor at Sybilla MastersAllie BurnsInvestor at Village Capital

Also worked at Oracle Corporation369

Danny RimerPartner at Index VenturesAyshaAdvisor at Clear VenturesNatalie VaisInvestor at Spark CapitalHope CochranVenture Partner at Madrona Venture GroupMark NelsonVenture Partner at Madrona Venture GroupGeorge RobertsInvestor at OpenView Venture Partners

+ 363 more

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

Frequently asked questions

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.