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Maria Salamanca
Partner at Ulu Ventures with extensive board experience and education in public policy
Maria A. Salamanca is a prominent venture capital investor currently serving as a Partner at Ulu Ventures, a Palo Alto-based firm focused on seed-stage investments. She joined Ulu in September 2022 after a significant tenure at Unshackled Ventures, where she was also a Partner and played a crucial role in investing in immigrant founders and early-stage companies since the fund's inception in 2015.15
Background and Career
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Maria immigrated to the United States at the age of seven and was raised in Orlando, Florida. She pursued her education at the University of California, Berkeley, earning degrees in Government and Legal Studies, with a minor in Public Policy.23
Before her venture capital career, Maria worked with FWD.us, a political organization advocating for immigration reform, where she helped raise significant funds. She also served as the Chief Operating Officer at Swing Left, focusing on political strategies post-2016 election.23
Achievements and Advocacy
Maria is recognized for her advocacy for diversity in venture capital. She has been named to several prestigious lists, including Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Venture Capital and Business Insider's Under 30 Rising Stars. In 2017, she received the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Shark of the Year award for her support of the Latinx community.15
At Ulu Ventures, she continues her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech ecosystem. She has co-authored reports on Latino representation in venture capital and actively participates in initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups in the industry.46
Current Roles
In addition to her role at Ulu Ventures, Maria is a Board Member of the Orange County Public Schools and the Founder of LatinxVC, an organization aimed at supporting Latinx professionals in venture capital.36 Her multifaceted career reflects her dedication to both investment and community engagement, making her a notable figure in the venture capital landscape.
