Building momentum for homegrown success
We partner with institutions, VCs, accelerators, and companies that share our passion for supporting founders and their ideas. Through speaking engagements, educational content, and cross-promotional marketing, we help our partners elevate their stories and work to our community (now over 1 million strong!)
Cheryl is passionate about the intersection of finance, technology, and social impact. She is focused on introducing underrepresented founders to both traditional and alternative funding sources to help their startups thrive. Cheryl is also a Lightspeed scout and an investment partner at The Community Fund. Previously, she worked as an analyst at a private equity firm with an emphasis on minority and women entrepreneurs, and in the Financial Institutions Group at Barclays. She holds a BA in Economics with honors from Harvard University.
Heather’s work focuses on building meaningful partnerships to create a supportive community for diverse investors and founders. She brings a dynamic background in education, nonprofit, philanthropy, tourism, and project management to the financial technology industry. Heather is enthusiastic about companies that elevate women and put children at the center, and is proud to lead the Republic Venture Partner Program. Heather lives in Austin, TX and is a 2021 Notley Fellow. She holds a BA in Neurobiology from Harvard University and is a City Year Boston AmeriCorps alum.
Hong Kong-raised, Singapore-born, and Pakistani, Zehra Naqvi is a senior at Columbia, double majoring in Financial Economics and Art History. On campus, Zehra is President of the Columbia Women’s Business Society, Founder of Columbia Womxn in Venture and Columbia BIWOC in Business. Having previously worked in management consulting, private equity, and a hedge fund, Zehra has a wide array of experience in finance. She is a Campus Partner for Ground Up and a Venture Scout for The Wiress. Zehra leads the Venture Fellows and Venture Associates programs at Republic.
Got an idea? We love those.
This site (the "Site") is owned and maintained by OpenDeal Inc., which is not a registered broker-dealer. OpenDeal Inc. does not give investment advice, endorsement, analysis or recommendations with respect to any securities. All securities listed here are being offered by, and all information included on this Site is the responsibility of, the applicable issuer of such securities. The intermediary facilitating the offering will be identified in such offering’s documentation.
All funding-portal activities are conducted by OpenDeal Portal LLC doing business as Republic, a funding portal which is registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a funding portal (Portal) and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). OpenDeal Portal LLC is located at 149 E 23rd St #1314, New York, NY 10010, please check out background on FINRA’s Funding Portal page.
All broker-dealer related securities activity is conducted by OpenDeal Broker LLC, an affiliate of OpenDeal Inc. and OpenDeal Portal LLC, and a registered broker-dealer, and member of FINRA | SiPC, located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10105, please check our background on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Certain pages discussing the mechanics and providing educational materials regarding regulation crowdfunding offerings may refer to OpenDeal Broker LLC and OpenDeal Portal LLC collectively as “Republic”, solely for explanatory purposes.
Neither OpenDeal Inc., OpenDeal Portal LLC nor OpenDeal Broker LLC make investment recommendations and no communication, through this Site or in any other medium should be construed as a recommendation for any security offered on or off this investment platform. Investment opportunities posted on this Site are private placements of securities that are not publicly traded, involve a high degree of risk, may lose value, are subject to holding period requirements and are intended for investors who do not need a liquid investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors must be able to afford the loss of their entire investment. Only qualified investors, which may be restricted to only Accredited Investors or non-U.S. persons, may invest in offerings hosted by OpenDeal Broker.
Neither OpenDeal Inc., OpenDeal Portal LLC nor OpenDeal Broker LLC, nor any of their officers, directors, agents and employees makes any warranty, express or implied, of any kind whatsoever related to the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information on this Site or the use of information on this site. Offers to sell securities can only be made through official offering documents that contain important information about the investment and the issuers, including risks. Investors should carefully read the offering documents. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and are encouraged to consult with their tax, legal and financial advisors.
By accessing the Site and any pages thereof, you agree to be bound by the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Please also see OpenDeal Broker’s Business Continuity Plan and Additional Risk Disclosures. All issuers offering securities under regulation crowdfunding as hosted by OpenDeal Portal LLC are listed on the All Companies Page. The inclusion or exclusion of an issuer on the Platform Page and/or Republic’s Homepage, which includes offerings conducted under regulation crowdfunding as well as other exemptions from registration, is not based upon any endorsement or recommendation by OpenDeal Inc, OpenDeal Portal LLC, or OpenDeal Broker LLC, nor any of their affiliates, officers, directors, agents, and employees. Rather, issuers of securities may, in their sole discretion, opt-out of being listed on the Platform Page and Homepage.
Investors should verify any issuer information they consider important before making an investment.
Investments in private companies are particularly risky and may result in total loss of invested capital. Past performance of a security or a company does not guarantee future results or returns. Only investors who understand the risks of early stage investment and who meet the Republic's investment criteria may invest.
Neither OpenDeal Inc., OpenDeal Portal LLC nor OpenDeal Broker LLC verify information provided by companies on this Site and makes no assurance as to the completeness or accuracy of any such information. Additional information about companies fundraising on the Site can be found by searching the EDGAR database, or the offering documentation located on the Site when the offering does not require an EDGAR filing.
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. Therefore, when you use the Services we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver's license, passport or other identifying documents.
Republic and its affiliates are not and do not operate or act as a bank. Certain banking services are provided by BankProv, member FDIC / member DIF. FDIC coverage only applies in the event of bank failure. Digital (crypto) assets and investment products are not insured by the FDIC, may lose value, and are not deposits or other obligations of BankProv and are not guaranteed by BankProv. Terms and conditions apply.
Made in SF/NYC