Avid Larizadeh Duggan is an Iranian-American entrepreneur and venture capitalist who is best known as the co-founder and chief executive of Google Ventures, the venture capital arm of the technology giant, Google.
Originally from Tehran, Iran, Avid was born in 1984 into a middle class family. In 1995, the Larizadehs immigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Palo Alto, California. Eventually, she received degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California Hastings College of the Law.
Upon graduating, Avid worked as an investment banker for Goldman Sachs and as a journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle. After graduating from law school, she began her career in venture capital, working with noted venture capital firms, Greylock Partners and Benchmark Capital.
In 2009, she co-founded Google Ventures, the venture capital arm of the technology behemoth Google. Through her stewardship, Google Ventures has invested in more than 600 companies, including notable firms such as Uber, Slack, and 23andMe.
Once Google Ventures was founded, Avid quickly established herself as an influential figure within the world of venture capital. She had a reputation for being "relentless," and her insight and skills have proved instrumental in much of Google Ventures' success.
As the CEO of Google Ventures, Avid has also helped bring diversity to the world of venture capital. She has been committed to empowering women entrepreneurs, and her firm was the first major venture capital firm to have achieved gender balance among its partners and executive team.
Avid Larizadeh Duggan’s influence in the venture capital community extends beyond Google Ventures, however. In 2008, Avid co-founded the Women’s Entrepreneur Festival (WEF), an annual conference focused on fostering female entrepreneurship. The event has grown to become the leading global event dedicated to advancing the cause of women-led startups and enterprises.
Avid has also championed a number of philanthropic initiatives, such as her involvement with the #20PerCentBetter movement, which seeks to increase the representation of women on technology boards and across the venture capital industry. Avid is also the co-founder and chairman of the Women’s Venture Capital Network, which seeks to empower women entrepreneurs through capital and mentorship.
Avid Larizadeh Duggan’s achievements have also been widely recognized outside of her business endeavors. She has been named to Fortune's list of Most Powerful Women and has been featured in Fast Company's “The Most Creative People”. Additionally, Avid was named as one of Vanity Fair’s 25 New Establishment Disruptors.
In summary, Avid Larizadeh Duggan is a success story within the venture capital world. Her dedication to her own success, as well as her commitment to empowering other women entrepreneurs, has made her a highly respected figure in the industry. From her success at Google Ventures to her involvement in philanthropic initiatives, Avid Larizadeh Duggan has been a trailblazer in the world of business, and her accomplishments will continue to serve as an inspiration for many.
