Future of Work Investor Mandate: Allison on HR Tech Investing
Future of Work Technology Investing & HR Investments Investor Mandate Interview
Founders of HR, workforce, healthcare or financial technology companies, and investors who want to stand out in a crowded field of funds and angels.
The short version
A warm introduction to a senior HR leader matters more than a cold pitch, according to Allison. She is a general partner at a fund called Seerverance and also an angel investor. She invests in US companies in the future of work, covering healthcare technology, workforce technology and financial technology. Her focus is on companies that sell to or through the employer.
Allison explains how she judges traction. She wants a product that is ready for an introduction to the CHRO of Walmart. That can be shown by revenue or by the maturity of the product or team. She also covers how to reach HR leaders and why investors should stay specific, since Allison says over a thousand new funds start every year.
- 1Get a warm introduction
- 2Build the relationship first
- 3Listen to current priorities
- 4Check their available budget
Five points worth keeping
- Employer as a distribution channel. Allison looks for companies that sell to or through the employer. Her focus areas are healthcare technology, workforce technology and financial technology.
- Angel and fund stages differ. Her angel investments tend to skew earlier than the fund. Both focus on the US and mainly on equity rounds up to Series B.
- Traction means being introduction ready. She wants a product that could be introduced to the CHRO of Walmart. Revenue can show this, or so can the maturity of the product or team.
- Reaching HR leaders takes relationships. Allison names a warm introduction first and a relationship building approach over a pure sales one. She adds listening to what leaders are focused on.
- Align with available budget. HR leaders can only buy where they have money to spend. Allison says to align with that budget if you want to close something.
In their words
"You're only going to get good introductions if you're different and you're memorable and you're adding value to the other people in the ecosystem."
"You really need to align yourself with where they have money available to spend if you want to be able to close something."
"I really want to see a product that would be ready for an introduction to the CHRO of Walmart."
From the source
- Allison is a general partner at a fund called Seerverance and also an angel investor.
- Her investments are US focused and mainly equity rounds up to Series B.
- Allison says over a thousand new funds are started every year.
Sources
From Richard C. Wilson's Centimillionaire Strategies YouTube channel: Future of Work Technology Investing & HR Investments Investor Mandate Interview. Quotes come from the video captions, lightly edited for readability. Figures are the speakers' own estimates and experience.
General education only. Not legal, tax or investment advice.
Related questions
- How do I close a funding round?I close a funding round by focusing on investors who fit the opportunity and moving each interested prospect through clear, consistent follow-up.
- What documents do investors request during due diligence?Prepare a clear, organized package covering your operations, investments, compensation, team, and track record.
- How do I raise capital for my business?I raise capital by building a repeatable system for attracting the right investors, establishing credibility, and developing relationships before asking for money.
Questions about this video
What does Allison invest in?
She invests in US companies in the future of work, across healthcare technology, workforce technology and financial technology. She focuses on companies that sell to or through the employer.
How does Allison define traction?
She wants a product ready for an introduction to the CHRO of Walmart. Sometimes revenue shows this, and sometimes the maturity of the product or team does.
How can a company reach senior HR leaders?
Allison suggests a warm introduction, a relationship building approach, and listening to their current focus. She also says to know what budget they have.
Put this into practice with the pitch deck grader. See all investor mandates resources.
