Ellie Wheeler

Origin Story: In a couple sentences, how would you describe your path to becoming an investor?

Reoriented: Dropped out of medical school
Finance: Landed at a generalist PE fund focused loosely on consumer, liked the early stage growth companies more than the financial engineering
Tech / West Coast: Moved to SF and went to Cisco doing corporate development
School: Went back to business school during the financial crisisEarly Stage: Did a stint at Lowercase during school and an internship at a fund in London
NYC Venture: Joined Greycroft in 2011
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Investment Approach: What are the key factors you consider when evaluating a founding team?

Founder / Problem Fit -- Why them, why this? Ability to Attract Talent - also a decent proxy for upstream capital; Evidence of MacGyver-ing -- creatively grinding and figuring stuff out; Would I Consider Working for this Person?
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What's your style and approach when it comes to working with founders post-investment? What are the characteristics of founders you've worked well with?

I think it's my job to figure out how to effectively communicate effectively with each founder, and I've found the approach needs to be different for each person and situation. It's easiest for me when a direct approach is well-received, but I've learned how to adapt to more collaborative decision makers. I have learned over the years what matters is when it matters, you are *heard* and your perspective is valued as an input to any given decision. That is a different thing that having said something -- there are no points and there is no moral victory for having said a certain string of words if it's not actually absorbed.
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If I'm coming to pitch to you or your firm, what's the one piece of advice you'd give me?

Be yourself. It's often obvious when you're trying on a persona, while I'm trying to get to know and understand you.
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How would you describe your own personal mission and values, and how do they impact the way you invest?

I often think about what this product or service looks like in a success scenario -- how is the world different? What does the world look like? Does this matter?
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What do you like best about investing in NYC, and what’s your outlook on the future of NYC tech?

The community -- I love the diversity of people, experiences, and types of businesses they are drawn to. Given how much NYC has going on in terms of industries, you get a wide range of perspectives and talent. I'm positive about where we're headed -- we need more companies to go public here and stay independent, and this past 12-18 months has been a very positive step in that direction.