Cyan Banister Investing for a Higher Purpose and Beyond

Cyan Banister is a venture capitalist who invests in startups that align with her values. She co-founded NFX, a venture capital firm that focuses on supporting entrepreneurs who are creating sustainable and impactful businesses.

Cyan's approach to investing is centered around finding companies that have the potential to drive positive change. She looks for startups that are tackling complex problems and creating innovative solutions.

Through her work at NFX, Cyan has invested in companies like Robinhood, which has democratized access to the financial markets.

Cyan Banister started her career in non-executive positions at NBCUniversal from 1999 to 2001, working in systems administration and development support.

She was a contributing writer to TechCrunch and later worked at IronPort, a security startup, from 2003 to 2006. Banister held management roles at IronPort, including Standards and Practices Manager, Manager of Strategic Support, and Senior Manager-Security Operations.

IronPort was sold to Cisco for $850 million in 2007, and Banister considered investing her share of the acquisition in the stock market or land, but instead chose to invest in startups. Her first check as an angel investor was to SpaceX.

Cyan Banister is a partner at Founders Fund, a Silicon Valley venture capital fund. She has been instrumental in identifying and investing in impactful technology companies at the earliest stages.

Banister joined Founders Fund in 2016, becoming the first woman partner at the firm. She has invested in companies like Niantic and HQ Trivia, demonstrating her keen eye for innovative startups.

As a partner at Founders Fund, Banister's speaking fee ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 for virtual and live events, respectively. This fee is subject to change and can vary based on factors such as the speaker's schedule and the length of the presentation.

Banister's expertise lies in finance, women in business, economy, business, business leadership, business growth, leadership, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Her speaking engagements often focus on these topics, providing valuable insights and experiences to her audience.

Banister left Founders Fund in 2020 to join Long Journey Ventures, where she returned to her roots as an angel investor.

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Cyan Banister lives with her husband Scott Banister in San Francisco.

She identifies as a socially liberal libertarian and came out in 2016 as genderqueer.

Banister tweeted in support of the Proud Boys, stating they were misunderstood, despite their history of inciting violence.

In 2021, Banister advocated for the recall of San Francisco's progressive District Attorney, Chesa Boudin, and donated $10,000 to a GoFundMe account to investigate his office.

Banister expressed concern about gun laws in San Francisco, stating they don't have concealed carry permits and questioning what would happen if she defended her home.

She lives with her husband Scott Banister in San Francisco. They reside in a city with a unique set of laws and regulations.

Banister identifies as a socially liberal libertarian, which means she holds views that are both liberal and libertarian. This ideology influences her perspective on various issues.

She came out in 2016 as genderqueer, a term used to describe someone whose gender identity doesn't fit the traditional male/female binary. This personal aspect of her life is an important part of who she is.

Banister has been involved in local politics, particularly when it comes to the District Attorney of San Francisco. She donated $10,000 to a GoFundMe account aimed at investigating the DA's office.

Cyan Banister, along with her husband Scott, is an accomplished angel investor who has made prescient bets on companies like SpaceX, Uber, and DeepMind Technologies.

Their investment strategy is a great example of how to think about investing for a higher purpose. They're not just looking for financial returns, but also for opportunities to make a positive impact on the world.

The Banisters' generosity has also been recognized through their support of the UCLA First Amendment Amicus Brief Clinic, which was renamed in their honor in 2015.

This kind of commitment to giving back is inspiring, and it's a reminder that our investments can have a ripple effect beyond just our financial returns.

Here are some key facts about Cyan Banister's background:

Cyan Banister is an accomplished angel investor, winning the Angel of the Year Crunchie award at the 2016 TechCrunch ceremonies alongside her husband Scott.

She and Scott Banister made prescient bets on SpaceX, Uber, and DeepMind Technologies, earning them the award.

The Banisters' generosity was recognized by UCLA, which renamed the First Amendment Amicus Brief Clinic in their honor in 2015.

This clinic is a testament to the Banisters' commitment to supporting education and free speech.

Here are some notable facts about Cyan Banister:

Cyan Banister is a partner at Founders Fund, where she invests across various sectors and stages with a particular interest in augmented reality and heavily regulated industries.

She has a diverse portfolio of investments, including Uber, Thumbtack, SpaceX, and Pokémon GO creator Niantic.

As a self-taught engineer and entrepreneur, Cyan has held technical leadership positions throughout her career.

Cyan was an early employee at IronPort, which was acquired by Cisco, where she oversaw support infrastructure and performance for a global customer base.

She is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Zivity, a platform that showcases her passion for the arts.

Cyan Banister is a seasoned investor with a keen eye for spotting emerging trends. She co-founded Zivity, a platform that allowed women to earn money by creating and selling content.

Cyan's investment strategy is focused on backing founders who are passionate about their ideas and willing to take calculated risks. She has invested in companies like Zivity, which was a pioneering platform in the adult content space.

Cyan's investment approach is centered around empowering women and underrepresented groups. She has a strong network of female founders and investors who share her vision.

Cyan's experience as a founder herself has given her a unique perspective on what it takes to build a successful startup. She has been through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and can offer valuable guidance to her portfolio companies.

Cyan's investments often have a strong social impact component. She believes that businesses can be both profitable and socially responsible.