Jennifer Carolan

I started my career as a history teacher in Elmwood Park Illinois not far from where I grew up. I moved to the Bay Area in 2000 where I was inspired by all of the Founders working on their ideas. I found a way to use my teaching experience and desire to improve education to support these Founders. I co-founded my first fund NewSchools Seed Fund in 2011 and co-founded my second Reach Capital I in 2015, Reach Capital II in 2018, Reach III in 2020 and Reach Opportunity in 2021. These funds back amazing Founders who are passionate about creating exceptional tools for teachers, engaging curriculum for kids and support for parents. I think of myself as a Founder behind the Founders and love that I get to support these amazing innovators every day.

I currently sit on the Boards of Outschool, Stellic, Derivita, Desmos, SeeSaw and BookNook and previously Nearpod, Education Elements, Ellevation.

I also serve on the Board of Castilleja School in Palo Alto and Kind Hearts, a local organization to serve the Bay Area's most vulnerable populations.

Finally, I still get to teach sometime and am currently lecturing with Steve Blank, Steve Weinstein and Tom Bedeccare for the Lean Launchpad Class at Stanford.

Specialties: teacher tools, education technologies, curricula
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