Miriam Rivera

Miriam Rivera is a prominent figure in the venture capital sector and currently serves as a trustee at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind the beloved children's program, Sesame Street. She is also the CEO, co-founder, and managing director of Ulu Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments in startups, particularly those led by underrepresented founders.

Education and Early Career

Rivera has an impressive educational background, having earned a JD-MBA from Stanford University. She began her career at Google, where she became the company's second attorney and held key roles, including vice president and deputy general counsel, before leaving in 2006. Her expertise lies in financial auditing and capital raising for startups, as evidenced by her leadership at Minerva Project, where she oversaw a significant Series B funding round of $49 million.123

Contributions and Impact

Throughout her career, Rivera has been dedicated to increasing diversity in the venture capital industry. She co-founded Ulu Ventures in 2008, which has successfully managed $400 million in assets and invested in several unicorns. Rivera's approach emphasizes the importance of diverse teams and the positive impact they can have on profitability and innovation in business.23

In addition to her role at Sesame Workshop, she is involved with several other organizations, including the Kauffman Foundation and Acumen Fund America, furthering her commitment to education and social impact.14 Rivera's journey from a child who spoke Spanish to becoming a key player in Silicon Valley illustrates her resilience and dedication to fostering opportunities for others, particularly women and minorities in business.2