From Wall Street to Venture Capital: A Pivotal Shift
For the first decade of her career, Jessie was a quantitative specialist, deeply entrenched in the world of finance. She honed her expertise in Equity Derivatives and Fixed Income at Credit Suisse, Citigroup, and Ernst & Young. In 2015, her path took an unexpected turn when a close friend asked her to help raise a venture fund alongside his successful accelerator, Brinc, based in Hong Kong. This marked a significant turning point, propelling Jessie from Wall Street into the world of venture capital.
Expanding Horizons at Brinc
At Brinc, Jessie quickly became a driving force, leading the expansion of the firm to include three early-stage venture funds and overseeing operations across five global offices in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Specializing in technologies related to supply chain, manufacturing, transportation, and climate, Jessie embraced a role that was both challenging and transformative. Moving to Hong Kong not only broadened her global perspective but also reshaped her career in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
Building Alinea Ventures During Uncertain Times
Just before COVID, Jessie decided to return to her hometown of New York. It was there that she met Toan Huynh, and together they co-founded Alinea Ventures. Building a firm from the ground up during such uncertain times required unwavering dedication. Despite the significant downturn in venture capital activity between 2021 and 2023, Jessie and her team successfully established Alinea Ventures as an institutional investment firm with a clear mission: to support non-traditional founders who are shaping the future of infrastructure technology.
Investing in Non-Traditional Founders
Reflecting on her journey, Jessie often credits her time at Brinc with equipping her with the tools necessary to build her own firm. Alinea Ventures is deeply committed to investing in non-traditional founders—those who bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that challenge the status quo. For Alinea, "non-traditional" extends to founder teams that have been traditionally under-capitalized, under-leveraged, and under-represented. The firm’s focus on infrastructure technology stems from a deep understanding of how these foundational systems enable other technological advancements.
Spotlight on Tandym: A Success Story
One of Alinea Ventures’ standout investments is in Tandym, a platform enabling small and medium-sized businesses to quickly and cost-effectively launch their own private label credit cards. Jessie and her team were drawn to Tandym’s CEO and Co-Founder, Jennifer Glaspie-Lundstrom, recognizing her determination and vision. Beyond providing capital, Alinea Ventures connected Jennifer with potential merchants who could benefit from Tandym’s solutions, helping the company scale and thrive.
Navigating Challenges and Looking Ahead
Supporting non-traditional fintech founders continues to inspire Jessie, but the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Launching Alinea Ventures during the pandemic was no small feat, and the volatile fundraising landscape added to the difficulty. Yet, through perseverance and adaptability, Jessie led her team to build a robust portfolio of nine companies, all while navigating the complexities of a shifting industry.
Future Focus: Digital Identity
Looking ahead, Alinea Ventures is focusing on digital identity as a critical area of investment. As financial firms overhaul their KYC processes in response to new challenges—such as generative AI, deep fakes, and sophisticated cybersecurity threats—Jessie and her team are poised to drive innovation in this space. By creating robust solutions, they aim to ensure the stability and security of our financial infrastructure in an increasingly complex world.
More on Jessie
Where you currently live: New York, NY
Living arrangement: Apartment with my husband and my dog, RJ aka Ruff Justice
Family at home: Husband & RJ
Hometown: New York
Favorite hobby: Pilates, building keyboards, baking
Favorite show to binge: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
What is one piece of advice someone told you that resonated with you that can give to other women in FinTech?
I share this poem by Rupi Kaur all the time:
i stand
on the sacrifices
of a million women before me
thinking
what can i do
to make this mountain taller
so the women after me
can see farther
-legacy
As I've moved through my career, I've been fortunate to have doors opened for me by others, and I believe in paying that forward by lifting up other women along the way. Your unique perspectives and experiences are powerful assets. Toan and I are especially committed to supporting non-traditional founders, because we've seen firsthand how diverse backgrounds can spark groundbreaking innovations and build stronger, more resilient companies.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from a mistake you’ve made in the past?
Coming from a corporate background at Credit Suisse, where personal laptops were strictly prohibited and we had three layers of security to log into our systems, I did not know I should bring my own laptop to work on my first day at Brinc. I quickly realized the startup world operates very differently than the corporate banks I was used to. This mistake taught me the importance of adapting to new environments, not just for myself but also in my role as an investor. Understanding and adjusting to the operational norms of different companies has made me more effective as an advisor jumping in to help my portfolio companies.
Do you have any productivity hacks? What keeps you motivated? How do you maintain a work/life balance?
It is incredibly important to support both your physical and mental health. You will not be an effective leader if your energy level is at zero. I make time to work out, take a long shower, or do puzzles, because clearing my mind allows me to think more clearly and strategically.
It is easier to stay productive when you are working on things you are truly passionate about, but organization is still crucial. I maintain my productivity through my calendar. I have multiple calendars that are all synced and color-coded. I also like to take 5 minutes between meetings to recenter my focus, so I can be fully present for the other person. This practice has allowed me to build deeper relationships that have come full circle over the years.
Daily Diary
7:30 am: Wake up.
7:30 am - 8:30 am: Get ready for the day, walk the dog, have breakfast, and clear my inbox.
8:30 am - 4:00 pm: My day is filled with meetings. As an investor, I’m rarely at my desk. I spend most of my time meeting with founders and investors, networking, or learning from incredible new teams—often over breakfast, lunch, or coffee.
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: In the afternoon, I usually have some time to sit down and focus on desk work.
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: I might have one last meeting or attend an industry event. If not, I’ll work out on my Pilates machine.
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm: Wind down with dinner, catch up with my husband, and play with my dog.
10:00 pm: I unwind further with the daily New York Times crossword, which is released at 10:00 pm. I also close out any remaining work emails and review my schedule for the next day.
11:00 pm: Sleep.