5 Top Female Marketplace Investors To Know

Welcome back to the blog! This week, we’re spotlighting some serious trailblazers—female investors who are reshaping the marketplace investing world. Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking inspiration or just curious about the people backing groundbreaking ideas, these women have earned their stripes and then some.

Marketplace investing—think platforms connecting buyers and sellers, services and clients, communities and products—has exploded recently, and so have the diverse voices funding these ventures. Let’s dive into five remarkable women who stand out not only for their sharp financial instincts but also for their vision and passion for innovation.

1. Jenny Lee

A partner at GGV Capital, Jenny Lee is a powerhouse known for spotting potential in marketplaces that scale internationally. Her portfolio speaks volumes, with stakes in ride-sharing giants and e-commerce platforms disrupting traditional markets. What makes Jenny special? Her ability to see a marketplace’s ecosystem as a living, breathing organism evolving in real time, which helps her anticipate where the next big shift will be.

2. Aileen Lee

Founder of Cowboy Ventures and credited with coining the term “unicorn” for billion-dollar startups, Aileen Lee brings a mix of historical insight and boldness to marketplace investing. She champions early-stage startups and has a knack for identifying founders who build with diversity and sustainability at their core—qualities that often make for long-term marketplace success.

3. Sarah Tavel

As a general partner at Benchmark, Sarah Tavel has shaped the trajectory of some of the most dynamic consumer marketplaces of our time. Her approach blends data-driven analysis with a genuine curiosity about human behaviors, which is why she’s been behind investments in platforms that feel both intuitive and indispensable to users worldwide.

4. Anu Hariharan

Serving as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, Anu Hariharan has carved out a reputation for her deep understanding of network effects—an essential ingredient in any successful marketplace. She actively supports marketplaces that empower gig workers and service providers, reflecting a commitment to impact alongside growth.

5. Jess Lee

Previously an executive at Sequoia Capital and now leading a fund focused on early-stage investments, Jess Lee is all about championing communities within marketplaces. Her insight? Understanding that marketplaces aren’t just transactional but social by nature. That mindset helps her back ventures that nurture loyalty and trust, a rare edge in competitive digital spaces.

These women are more than just capital providers—they’re mentors, visionaries, and amplifiers of voices that often go unheard in tech. For anyone interested in the business behind the platforms changing how we shop, connect, and work, they’re absolutely worth watching.

Thanks for joining me this week to celebrate some incredible female leadership in marketplace investing. Got a favorite investor or a startup story inspired by women in the space? I’d love to hear about it. Stay tuned for next week’s post, where we’ll explore rising marketplace trends and what they mean for both founders and investors alike. Until then, keep your curiosity alive and your network thriving!