Latest news with #AssiaGrazioli-Venier
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Two Female Venture Capitalists Bet Big On Women's Health And Sports
Left to right: Muse Capital co-founders Assia Grazioli-Venier and Rachel Springate. From femtech to sports team ownership, two women VCs prove that backing overlooked markets is good business. When Muse Capital co-founders Assia Grazioli-Venier and Rachel Springate launched their firm, they weren't just looking for returns—they were looking to make an impact. With a strong background in business development, entertainment, and technology, the pair built a VC firm focused on women's health and sports, as well as on founders and investors who bring fresh perspectives often ignored by Silicon Valley. Their model is resonating. Muse Capital has invested in companies like Midi, Cofertility, and Eli Health—pioneers in femtech and hormone health—long before women's healthcare innovation became trendy. Now, they've taken that thesis a step further with the acquisition of SailGP Italia, making Muse the first female-led ownership group in the SailGP sailing league, in partnership with Red Bull. Muse Capital isn't just betting on founders. They're betting on culture, community, and women. A VC Firm Built by Operators—And Guided By Purpose Grazioli-Venier and Springate didn't follow the traditional VC track. Instead, they brought decades of experience creating partnerships between startups and Fortune 500s, celebrities, athletes, and influencers—relationships they now activate on behalf of portfolio companies. That operator DNA is Muse Capital's superpower. The firm helped Eli Health land a free Times Square billboard, brought Maria Sharapova on board as a strategic investor in Cofertility, and provided the opportunity to be a part of the Disney accelerator for Flickplay. 'We want to be the most strategic, helpful investor on your cap table,' Springate said. 'We don't just make introductions—we execute.' Their support goes far beyond capital. Lauren Makler, founder of Cofertility, said, 'From day one, Muse Capital has been one of Cofertility's most dedicated champions. Their support of initiatives like our Level the Playing Field campaign is just one example of how they show up—offering thoughtful insight, strategic introductions, and a genuine commitment to our growth.' Muse's thesis spans three investment buckets: care, live, and play. A consortium led in part by Muse Capital's founding partner Grazioli-Venier has acquired the Red Bull Italy SailGP team, marking the first female-led ownership group in the league's history. Through her sports advisory arm, Muse Sport, Grazioli-Venier is steering the team alongside luxury entrepreneur Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo and two-time America's Cup winner Jimmy Spithill. The investor group includes Anne Hathaway, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, and other industry leaders. For Grazioli-Venier, the league's commitment to mixed-gender teams, sustainability, and commercial viability made it a compelling opportunity. Red Bull Italy SailGP sailing past the grandstand of The Rolex SailGP 2025 Championship ITM New ... More Zealand Sail Grand Prix Unlocking Venture Capital By Tapping Wealthy Women Investors While Muse's portfolio focuses on founders, the firm is also helping to redefine who gets to be a funder. Like many female-led VC firms, Muse encountered skepticism from institutions that deemed women's health or menopause a 'niche.' So they turned to their network, which included family offices and high-net-worth individuals—often women—who understood the opportunity. Muse's experience aligns with what How Women (and Men) Invest in Startups,* found: Wealthy women are well-suited to be limited partners (LPs) in venture funds because they are: But they're also relational. Women often want a trusted advisor—a financial planner or fellow woman investor—to validate their investment decisions. A VC plays that role. Irma Wang, managing director at Bridge Ventures, explained why her firm backed Muse: 'We've been very interested in the fund's focus on women's healthcare tech—a space that's been historically overlooked, but that is full of potential and actually helping to fulfill a real need. Muse isn't passive with its portfolio companies; the founders actively help shape outcomes by sharing co-investment opportunities and making high-impact introductions.' Rewriting The Rules Of Venture Capital Funding Despite progress, the venture capital landscape remains profoundly unequal. In 2024, only 2% of U.S. VC funding went to all-female founding teams, and 21.2% to mixed-gender founding teams—down from a high of 24.3% in 2023, according to PitchBook's Female Founders Dashboard. The numbers at the funder level are equally stark: Just 17.3% of decision-makers at U.S. VC firms with at least $50 million in assets under management were women in 2024, according to Pitchbook US All In: Female Founders in the VC Ecosystem.. Muse Capital is part of a new wave of female-led funds working to change that from both sides. Marina Pavlovic Rivas, co-founder and CEO of Eli Health, noted, 'Muse is the rare kind of investor every category-defining founder dreams of. They saw early where the world was headed and developed a bold thesis about how our groundbreaking technology would uniquely shape that future, long before it became evident to most.' In 2017, Muse Capital began testing their thesis—that investors could be strategically hands-on partners—by writing angel checks in women's health startups. Within just 14 months, they saw a couple of early exits—an uncommon outcome at the seed stage. Encouraged by those results, they launched their first venture fund in 2018 and followed with a second in 2022. To support portfolio growth and give LPs additional exposure, they also raised special-purpose vehicles (SPVs) for follow-on rounds. Today, Muse Capital has $52 million in assets under management. Nine of their portfolio companies have exited. Women Reshaping Venture—From VCs To LPs To Founders Muse Capital proves that when you center women's health innovation, back diverse startup founders, and engage female investors, you don't just create impact—you build momentum. The firm is still investing out of its second fund and laying the groundwork for its third, all while continuing to reshape how venture capital views risk, leadership, and opportunity. Whether helping a startup land celebrity backing or reshaping ownership in global sports, Muse Capital is showing what's possible when female VCs lead—and invest—in the future they want to see.
North Wales Live
28-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Anne Hathaway joins sports industry leaders to acquire sailing team
Anne Hathaway hailed a desire to 'advance the role of women in high performance sport' as a key factor behind her decision to join a consortium of investors and sports industry leaders who have acquired the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team. The consortium is led by Muse Capital founding partner, Assia Grazioli-Venier, and luxury brand entrepreneur, Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, with one of the world's most decorated sailors and SailGP icon, Jimmy Spithill, as CEO and co-owner. The new ownership group brings together a powerful combination of elite sports leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and celebrity status, with deep-rooted expertise in brand building and media. The acquisition also marks a first for the global racing championship establishing Red Bull Italy SailGP with a female-led ownership group and a firm eye on the growing commercial viability of the mixed-gender championship. The group of investors includes MFO Certuity, Yeh Capital, Alexander Gilkes, Evan Yurman, and leaders from global business, sport and stardom, with Anne Hathaway, Adam Shulman, actress Miriam Leone, Julie Eddleman, Heather Karatz, Pete Delgrosso, and Dr. Jennifer Ashton on board. The acquisition marks a first for the global racing championship establishing Red Bull Italy SailGP with a female-led ownership group and a firm eye on the growing commercial viability of the mixed-gender championship Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman said: 'The new Red Bull Italy Sail GP team embodies a powerful convergence of innovation, athletic excellence, and a deep commitment to inclusive leadership — particularly in advancing the role of women in high-performance sport. 'Our deep and enduring love for Italy makes this opportunity especially meaningful, and we're so excited to have been invited to support a project that reflects both tradition and transformative vision.' With Red Bull as Title Partner, the team's ambition is to become one of the most innovative and brand-driven presences in the championship. The 'Made in Italy' consortium blends expertise not only in the world of elite sport and cutting-edge technology, but culturally resonant storytelling & top-class entertainment — a model representation of a new generation of globally ambitious sports ventures. Assia Grazioli-Venier, Founder of Muse Capital and Muse Sport, said of the acquisition: 'Italy has an extraordinary sailing legacy, and our mission is to be a catalyst for its next phase. 'Muse Sport is honored to lead this pivotal moment for our sport. SailGP has massive commercial potential for global growth and impact that this ownership group will realize, leaning on elite leadership with strategic entrepreneurial capital. 'As someone deeply connected to Italian and sailing culture, it's an honour and a responsibility to help guide a team that embodies excellence, innovation, and true inclusivity.' Russell Coutts, CEO and co-founder of SailGP, said: 'We're delighted to welcome Assia, Gian Luca, Jimmy and the wider Muse Sport consortium to SailGP's expanding group of investors and team owners. 'Together, they bring an incredibly experienced, and exciting lineup of commercially-minded investors to the table, marking another significant milestone in SailGP's growth as a league.' Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, Chairman of the Board, added: 'SailGP is far more than a sporting competition—it's a global platform for innovation, entertainment and hospitality. 'We are building a team that reflects the future of sports business: technology-led, culturally impactful and environmentally responsible.' Jimmy Spithill, CEO, Founder and Co-Owner of SailGP ITA, said: 'Being at the top of the sport as an athlete for the last 25 years, it's incredibly exciting to put together such a talented World Class Team-both on and off the water. 'This marks the next chapter in the evolution of Italian sailing, and I'm thrilled to share this journey with Assia and Gian Luca.' Established using a centrally-owned business model, today's news follows a period of significant growth for SailGP, including a number of record team sales. Told through the lens of Spithill, the journey of the Italian team is highlighted in SailGP's first-ever, long-form premium docuseries Uncharted , launching across global broadcast channels next month. The Rolex SailGP Championship returns next month with the sixth stop of the 2025 Season, the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 7-8, before it heads to UK waters for the highly-anticipated Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix , Portsmouth on July 19-20, kicking off an epic summer of European events.
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Hollywood royalty Anne Hathaway among consortium to acquire innovative sailing team
Hollywood royalty Anne Hathaway among consortium to acquire innovative sailing team The consortium is led by Muse Capital founding partner, Assia Grazioli-Venier, and luxury brand entrepreneur, Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, with one of the world's most decorated sailors and SailGP icon, Jimmy Spithill, as CEO and co-owner Anne Hathaway (Image: 2024 Rick Kern ) Anne Hathaway hailed a desire to 'advance the role of women in high performance sport' as a key factor behind her decision to join a consortium of investors and sports industry leaders who have acquired the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team. The consortium is led by Muse Capital founding partner, Assia Grazioli-Venier, and luxury brand entrepreneur, Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, with one of the world's most decorated sailors and SailGP icon, Jimmy Spithill, as CEO and co-owner. The new ownership group brings together a powerful combination of elite sports leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and celebrity status, with deep-rooted expertise in brand building and media. The acquisition also marks a first for the global racing championship establishing Red Bull Italy SailGP with a female-led ownership group and a firm eye on the growing commercial viability of the mixed-gender championship. The group of investors includes MFO Certuity, Yeh Capital, Alexander Gilkes, Evan Yurman, and leaders from global business, sport and stardom, with Anne Hathaway, Adam Shulman, actress Miriam Leone, Julie Eddleman, Heather Karatz, Pete Delgrosso, and Dr. Jennifer Ashton on board. The acquisition marks a first for the global racing championship establishing Red Bull Italy SailGP with a female-led ownership group and a firm eye on the growing commercial viability of the mixed-gender championship Article continues below Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman said: 'The new Red Bull Italy Sail GP team embodies a powerful convergence of innovation, athletic excellence, and a deep commitment to inclusive leadership — particularly in advancing the role of women in high-performance sport. 'Our deep and enduring love for Italy makes this opportunity especially meaningful, and we're so excited to have been invited to support a project that reflects both tradition and transformative vision.' With Red Bull as Title Partner, the team's ambition is to become one of the most innovative and brand-driven presences in the championship. The 'Made in Italy' consortium blends expertise not only in the world of elite sport and cutting-edge technology, but culturally resonant storytelling & top-class entertainment — a model representation of a new generation of globally ambitious sports ventures. Assia Grazioli-Venier, Founder of Muse Capital and Muse Sport, said of the acquisition: 'Italy has an extraordinary sailing legacy, and our mission is to be a catalyst for its next phase. 'Muse Sport is honored to lead this pivotal moment for our sport. SailGP has massive commercial potential for global growth and impact that this ownership group will realize, leaning on elite leadership with strategic entrepreneurial capital. 'As someone deeply connected to Italian and sailing culture, it's an honour and a responsibility to help guide a team that embodies excellence, innovation, and true inclusivity.' Russell Coutts, CEO and co-founder of SailGP, said: 'We're delighted to welcome Assia, Gian Luca, Jimmy and the wider Muse Sport consortium to SailGP's expanding group of investors and team owners. 'Together, they bring an incredibly experienced, and exciting lineup of commercially-minded investors to the table, marking another significant milestone in SailGP's growth as a league.' SailGP: Uncharted trailer Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, Chairman of the Board, added: 'SailGP is far more than a sporting competition—it's a global platform for innovation, entertainment and hospitality. 'We are building a team that reflects the future of sports business: technology-led, culturally impactful and environmentally responsible.' Jimmy Spithill, CEO, Founder and Co-Owner of SailGP ITA, said: 'Being at the top of the sport as an athlete for the last 25 years, it's incredibly exciting to put together such a talented World Class Team-both on and off the water. 'This marks the next chapter in the evolution of Italian sailing, and I'm thrilled to share this journey with Assia and Gian Luca.' Established using a centrally-owned business model, today's news follows a period of significant growth for SailGP, including a number of record team sales. Told through the lens of Spithill, the journey of the Italian team is highlighted in SailGP's first-ever, long-form premium docuseries Uncharted , launching across global broadcast channels next month. Article continues below
South Wales Argus
27-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Anne Hathaway joins consortium of investors for Red Bull Italy SailGP
The consortium is led by Muse Capital founding partner, Assia Grazioli-Venier, and luxury brand entrepreneur, Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, with one of the world's most decorated sailors and SailGP icon, Jimmy Spithill, as CEO and co-owner. The new ownership group brings together a powerful combination of elite sports leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and celebrity status, with deep-rooted expertise in brand building and media. The acquisition also marks a first for the global racing championship establishing Red Bull Italy SailGP with a female-led ownership group and a firm eye on the growing commercial viability of the mixed-gender championship. The group of investors includes MFO Certuity, Yeh Capital, Alexander Gilkes, Evan Yurman, and leaders from global business, sport and stardom, with Anne Hathaway, Adam Shulman, actress Miriam Leone, Julie Eddleman, Heather Karatz, Pete Delgrosso, and Dr. Jennifer Ashton on board. With Red Bull as Title Partner, the team's ambition is to become one of the most innovative and brand-driven presences in the championship. The 'Made in Italy' consortium blends expertise not only in the world of elite sport and cutting-edge technology, but culturally resonant storytelling & top-class entertainment — a model representation of a new generation of globally ambitious sports ventures. Assia Grazioli-Venier, Founder of Muse Capital and Muse Sport, said of the acquisition: 'Italy has an extraordinary sailing legacy, and our mission is to be a catalyst for its next phase. 'Muse Sport is honored to lead this pivotal moment for our sport. SailGP has massive commercial potential for global growth and impact that this ownership group will realize, leaning on elite leadership with strategic entrepreneurial capital. 'As someone deeply connected to Italian and sailing culture, it's an honour and a responsibility to help guide a team that embodies excellence, innovation, and true inclusivity.' Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman, said: 'The new Red Bull Italy Sail GP team embodies a powerful convergence of innovation, athletic excellence, and a deep commitment to inclusive leadership — particularly in advancing the role of women in high-performance sport. 'Our deep and enduring love for Italy makes this opportunity especially meaningful, and we're so excited to have been invited to support a project that reflects both tradition and transformative vision.' Russell Coutts, CEO and co-founder of SailGP, said: 'We're delighted to welcome Assia, Gian Luca, Jimmy and the wider Muse Sport consortium to SailGP's expanding group of investors and team owners. 'Together, they bring an incredibly experienced, and exciting lineup of commercially-minded investors to the table, marking another significant milestone in SailGP's growth as a league." Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, Chairman of the Board, added: 'SailGP is far more than a sporting competition—it's a global platform for innovation, entertainment and hospitality. 'We are building a team that reflects the future of sports business: technology-led, culturally impactful and environmentally responsible.' Jimmy Spithill, CEO, Founder and Co-Owner of SailGP ITA, said: 'Being at the top of the sport as an athlete for the last 25 years, it's incredibly exciting to put together such a talented World Class Team-both on and off the water. 'This marks the next chapter in the evolution of Italian sailing, and I'm thrilled to share this journey with Assia and Gian Luca.' Established using a centrally-owned business model, today's news follows a period of significant growth for SailGP, including a number of record team sales. Told through the lens of Spithill, the journey of the Italian team is highlighted in SailGP's first-ever, long-form premium docuseries Uncharted , launching across global broadcast channels next month. The Rolex SailGP Championship returns next month with the sixth stop of the 2025 Season, the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 7-8, before it heads to UK waters for the highly-anticipated Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, Portsmouth on July 19-20, kicking off an epic summer of European events.
Glasgow Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Anne Hathaway joins consortium of investors for Red Bull Italy SailGP
The consortium is led by Muse Capital founding partner, Assia Grazioli-Venier, and luxury brand entrepreneur, Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, with one of the world's most decorated sailors and SailGP icon, Jimmy Spithill, as CEO and co-owner. The new ownership group brings together a powerful combination of elite sports leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and celebrity status, with deep-rooted expertise in brand building and media. The acquisition also marks a first for the global racing championship establishing Red Bull Italy SailGP with a female-led ownership group and a firm eye on the growing commercial viability of the mixed-gender championship. The group of investors includes MFO Certuity, Yeh Capital, Alexander Gilkes, Evan Yurman, and leaders from global business, sport and stardom, with Anne Hathaway, Adam Shulman, actress Miriam Leone, Julie Eddleman, Heather Karatz, Pete Delgrosso, and Dr. Jennifer Ashton on board. With Red Bull as Title Partner, the team's ambition is to become one of the most innovative and brand-driven presences in the championship. The 'Made in Italy' consortium blends expertise not only in the world of elite sport and cutting-edge technology, but culturally resonant storytelling & top-class entertainment — a model representation of a new generation of globally ambitious sports ventures. Assia Grazioli-Venier, Founder of Muse Capital and Muse Sport, said of the acquisition: 'Italy has an extraordinary sailing legacy, and our mission is to be a catalyst for its next phase. 'Muse Sport is honored to lead this pivotal moment for our sport. SailGP has massive commercial potential for global growth and impact that this ownership group will realize, leaning on elite leadership with strategic entrepreneurial capital. 'As someone deeply connected to Italian and sailing culture, it's an honour and a responsibility to help guide a team that embodies excellence, innovation, and true inclusivity.' Anne Hathaway and Adam Shulman, said: 'The new Red Bull Italy Sail GP team embodies a powerful convergence of innovation, athletic excellence, and a deep commitment to inclusive leadership — particularly in advancing the role of women in high-performance sport. 'Our deep and enduring love for Italy makes this opportunity especially meaningful, and we're so excited to have been invited to support a project that reflects both tradition and transformative vision.' Russell Coutts, CEO and co-founder of SailGP, said: 'We're delighted to welcome Assia, Gian Luca, Jimmy and the wider Muse Sport consortium to SailGP's expanding group of investors and team owners. 'Together, they bring an incredibly experienced, and exciting lineup of commercially-minded investors to the table, marking another significant milestone in SailGP's growth as a league." Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, Chairman of the Board, added: 'SailGP is far more than a sporting competition—it's a global platform for innovation, entertainment and hospitality. 'We are building a team that reflects the future of sports business: technology-led, culturally impactful and environmentally responsible.' Jimmy Spithill, CEO, Founder and Co-Owner of SailGP ITA, said: 'Being at the top of the sport as an athlete for the last 25 years, it's incredibly exciting to put together such a talented World Class Team-both on and off the water. 'This marks the next chapter in the evolution of Italian sailing, and I'm thrilled to share this journey with Assia and Gian Luca.' Established using a centrally-owned business model, today's news follows a period of significant growth for SailGP, including a number of record team sales. Told through the lens of Spithill, the journey of the Italian team is highlighted in SailGP's first-ever, long-form premium docuseries Uncharted , launching across global broadcast channels next month. The Rolex SailGP Championship returns next month with the sixth stop of the 2025 Season, the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on June 7-8, before it heads to UK waters for the highly-anticipated Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, Portsmouth on July 19-20, kicking off an epic summer of European events.
