Katie Shea

Katie Shea is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Divergent Capital, an early-stage venture fund focused on investing in innovative technologies and scientific advancements. She has a robust background in technology startups, having spent her career as an entrepreneur, operator, and investor.

Professional Background

• Divergent Capital: Shea co-founded Divergent Capital in April 2021, where she leads investments primarily in pre-seed and seed-stage companies, particularly those commercializing unique technological and scientific innovations. The fund has a current size of $30 million and emphasizes a hands-on approach to help portfolio companies scale and grow.145

• Previous Experience: Prior to Divergent, Shea was a General Partner at K50 Ventures and Kairos, where she honed her skills in venture capital. She also served as the Head of Marketing at OrderGroove, an enterprise loyalty platform, and ran a growth consultancy for early-stage tech companies. Her entrepreneurial journey began when she co-founded a manufacturing company while at NYU, which was later acquired.234

Education

Katie Shea holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from NYU Stern School of Business, where she was actively involved in entrepreneurship initiatives.35

Investment Philosophy

Shea's investment strategy focuses on identifying and nurturing early-stage startups that demonstrate high potential in sectors such as digital health, biotech, and consumer internet. She emphasizes the importance of establishing strong relationships with founders and leveraging her extensive network to support their growth.45

Katie Shea is recognized for her contributions to the venture capital ecosystem and has been featured in various media outlets, showcasing her insights on startup financing and investment strategies.24