Trish Costello

Trish Costello co-founded the prestigious Kauffman Fellows Program in 1994, creating the first training program for venture capital partners and launching the careers of hundreds of VC leaders, including many women. After more than a decade at the helm of one of the most respected programs in the venture industry, she saw clearly what was not changing: the culture around venture capital still did not reflect how women liked to operate, and traditional VCs were not funding the kinds of founders, products, and solutions that women wanted in the world.

So in 2014, she founded Portfolia, a collaborative equity investing platform designed specifically for women accredited investors who want to learn about venture investing while backing companies that transform lives. Portfolia has since grown to a network of thousands of women investors, over 140 companies in its portfolio, and 14 funds focused on women’s health, active aging, diversity, and sustainability. It is now one of the most active investors in women’s health in the country, with portfolio companies including Maven Clinic, Everly Health Solutions, and Madison Reed.

Trish has keynoted at the United Nations and the OECD, testified before the White House Commission on Women and the US Senate, and was named one of Inc. Magazine’s 15 Most Innovative Women Entrepreneurs. Forbes named her one of Goldman Sachs’ 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs. Her conviction has never changed: women’s financial power, activated and directed intentionally, changes what gets built in the world.

We are honored to celebrate her here.