Elise Hebb is moving from one Seattle venture capital firm to another.
After nearly a decade working at Madrona Venture Group, Hebb recently accepted a new position as COO and partner at Maveron.
It’s a bit unusual — at least in Seattle’s collegial and collaborative venture capital circles — to see a high-ranking venture capital executive switch teams. But Hebb tells GeekWire that she was ready for a new challenge.
“I loved every day of my nine-and-a-half years with Madrona, but it was time for a bigger role and new challenges,” said Hebb in an email to GeekWire.
In her new role, Hebb will lead finance and operations for Maveron. She will also oversee marketing, investor relations and fundraising.
“Elise’s experience and network adds another great player to our already talented team,” said Maveron co-founder and Managing Partner Dan Levitan in a press release. “We are constantly focused on raising our game as we partner with America’s best brand building entrepreneurs. Elise has that same passion and we can’t wait to see what she does in this new, strategic role.”
At Madrona, Hebb served as director of investor relations and business development.
Maveron and Madrona are two of Seattle’s most prominent and well funded venture capital funds.
Founded in 1998 by Levitan and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, Maveron made its mark with an early bet on eBay. Other prominent investments have included Pinkberry, Zulily, Trupanion, General Assembly and Arivale, with Maveron focusing almost exclusively on consumer-oriented companies.
“As soon as I started talking to Maveron it was clear it has a very special soul,” said Hebb in a release. “This firm believes that great teams build great brands and Maveron has invested a ton of time in getting its own team right. I am excited to take on this new role for the firm and contribute to helping build a program that consistently funds the iconic brands of tomorrow.”
She added in an email to GeekWire that she’ll have a senior role in business decisions, and will support portfolio companies with events and other activities.
“I’m super excited to be able to stay in Seattle and VC,” she said.
Madrona and Maveron have co-invested in startups over the years, backing companies such as Decide.com and, more recently, Booster Fuels.
Maveron raised a $140 million venture fund in 2014, and last year SEC filings indicated that it was in the process of raising a sixth fund.
