Elvia Perez is an investment associate at Inicio Ventures, where she plays a pivotal role in driving positive change within the Latino entrepreneurial community through strategic investments and collaborative efforts. By identifying and supporting high-potential startups, fostering an inclusive environment, and working closely with founders, she aims to create a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
My greatest career accomplishment to date encompasses both my work in investment banking and my entrepreneurial ventures. In summer 2021, I interned at Barclays Investment Bank in the Public Finance division’s transportation team, where I was offered a full-time position upon graduation. During my tenure, I served as the primary coverage and structuring analyst for over $5 billion in lead-managed transactions for various issuers, including transit agencies, public utilities, and airports. My responsibilities included identifying and evaluating financing solutions based on issuers’ existing debt portfolios and long-term capital plans through in-depth credit analyses, tailored financial modeling, and detailed discussions with issuers and their municipal advisors.
Additionally, I founded EmpowerU, an ed-tech platform aimed at addressing educational disparities by providing students with resources such as scholarships, internships, and summer programs, while fostering a supportive community to help them pursue higher education. As a first-generation, low-income student, I was inspired to create EmpowerU to give back to the community and help others overcome the challenges I faced. I successfully secured funding by placing in the Brown Venture Prize competition during my undergraduate years. After graduating, I was accepted into two prestigious accelerator programs, PledgeLA Founders Fund and Techstars, which were instrumental in launching my app and conducting two pilot programs in Los Angeles and Atlanta.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
My greatest personal accomplishment to date spans academic, artistic, and athletic achievements. While studying economics at Brown University, I was honored to be selected as the commencement speaker for the department of economics. Additionally, I was awarded the Outstanding Student Leader at Brown University, recognizing my contributions and leadership on campus.
During high school, I received the prestigious Herbert Zipper Scholarship at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, a renowned private institution in Los Angeles focusing on music and dance. This scholarship allowed me to study violin, viola, and bassoon and gain acceptance into the esteemed Colburn Youth Orchestra.
Recently, I completed the Santa Barbara Half Marathon in 1 hour and 45 minutes, maintaining an average pace of 8’11” per mile. My goal is to break my personal record in the upcoming year. These diverse accomplishments reflect my dedication and passion across various fields.
What do you do today to impact your community?
I actively volunteer in various programs to impact my community positively. One such program is Minds Matter, which connects motivated and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and opportunities necessary to succeed in college, shape their futures, and impact the world. Additionally, I am a codirector of the GirlsIntoVC Fellowship, the first organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of female venture capitalists and championing women-led startups.
I also serve as a mentor at the Women’s Launch Pad at Brown University, which pairs students with Brown alums in mentor/mentee relationships to help propel them into “life beyond Brown.” Furthermore, I have returned to my high school to connect with students and assist them with their college essays.
These activities are deeply fulfilling as they allow me to give back and support students who often remind me of my own journey. I recognize that my achievements are the result of the support and guidance of numerous remarkable individuals. Through these efforts, I aim to pay forward the support I received and contribute to the growth and success of the next generation.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I envision myself attending a prestigious business school to obtain my MBA, immersed in an environment surrounded by driven and intellectually curious individuals who inspire me to grow as a person and a leader. I plan to continue my career in venture capital with a particular focus on empowering underrepresented founders by providing them with the capital, resources, and community support they need to succeed. Additionally, I aspire to be on the verge of launching a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting first-generation students in navigating and succeeding in higher education, as promoting educational equity is a cause deeply close to my heart.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
The biggest issue I want to help solve is the lack of access to capital for Latinx founders. Latinx-led startups currently receive less than 2 percent of venture and impact investing capital, a disparity that hinders innovation and growth within the community. By addressing this issue, I aim to create a more equitable landscape where Latinx entrepreneurs have the financial resources and support they need to succeed, thereby fostering diversity, inclusion, and economic growth in the startup ecosystem.
Ensuring that Latinx founders have access to capital not only benefits individual entrepreneurs but also strengthens the overall economy by encouraging a wider range of ideas and solutions. By advocating for increased funding and support, I hope to break down the barriers that prevent talented Latinx entrepreneurs from reaching their full potential. Ultimately, my goal is to see a significant increase in the representation and success of Latinx-led startups, contributing to a more diverse and vibrant business community.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
The moment I realized the impact of my work was during my freshman year at Brown University. I had been a guest on a local radio show in Providence, Rhode Island, where I shared my phone number and encouraged students and parents to contact me if they needed any help with the college application process. A junior in high school reached out, and I met with him and his parents several times to guide him through the college application process. During one of our meetings, he asked why I was so committed to giving back. I explained that I was fortunate to have had people help me along my journey, and I felt an enormous responsibility to give back in any way I could. He smiled and said he wanted to do the same.
A year later, I received an email from him letting me know he had been accepted into Brown University and thanking me for inspiring him to give back to the community. I nearly cried. I was in the middle of finals, and that message reminded me of my purpose. I realized I wasn’t just earning a degree for myself; I was uplifting my family, my community, and inspiring others to do the same. This experience reaffirmed the significance of my efforts and the lasting impact they can have on individuals and the broader community.
Who inspires your leadership?
My parents inspire my leadership because they taught me the values of hard work, integrity, and giving back. They have led by example, demonstrating how to treat others with respect and kindness and the importance of perseverance. Despite life’s inevitable adversities, they have shown me that it is crucial to keep going and strive to lift others along the way. Their unwavering commitment to these principles has profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and my dedication to making a positive impact on those around me.
What is a surprising hobby or interest that helps you stay creative and energized?
A surprising hobby that helps me stay creative and energized is my love for reading. I find that immersing myself in different genres and perspectives stimulates my mind and fuels my creativity. Additionally, I enjoy running and hiking, which not only keep me physically active but also provide a sense of mental clarity and rejuvenation. Lastly, spending quality time with my dog brings me immense joy and relaxation.
What is your Latino background?
I am Mexican American, born and raised in Los Angeles, California. My parents are both from Mexico and came to the United States in their early twenties with hopes of providing my brother and me with a better life. Their journey and sacrifices have deeply influenced my values and aspirations, instilling in me a strong sense of resilience and gratitude for the opportunities they worked hard to create.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
“The Greatest” by Sia.
