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Leah Solivan is a distinguished General Partner at Fuel Capital and the visionary founder of TaskRabbit. She is a highly respected tech investor and operator known for her deep understanding of building and scaling successful companies.
Leah Solivan primarily invests in early stage technology companies. Her focus areas include consumer technology, innovative marketplaces, and robust Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, where she leverages her operational background to support founders.
Leah Solivan works as a General Partner at Fuel Capital, an early stage venture capital firm dedicated to backing transformative technology startups.
Leah Solivan is a General Partner at Fuel Capital and the Managing Director of Precedent.vc. She previously founded the on-demand marketplace TaskRabbit in 2008, serving as its Chief Executive Officer for eight years while scaling operations to 44 cities and raising over $50 million in venture capital. Following TaskRabbit's acquisition by IKEA in 2017, Solivan transitioned into venture capital, building a portfolio of more than 150 early-stage companies. She began her professional career as a software engineer at IBM working on Lotus Notes after earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from Sweet Briar College. In 2024, she was nominated to the board of directors for the Walt Disney Company. Her current investment focus centers on backing pre-seed and seed-stage startups across consumer technology, artificial intelligence, digital health, and fintech markets.
Leah Solivan stands as a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as a General Partner at Fuel Capital. At Fuel Capital, an early stage venture firm, Leah plays a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing the next generation of groundbreaking technology companies. Her investment focus is broad yet strategic, primarily targeting innovative startups in consumer technology, dynamic marketplaces, and robust Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms. She is particularly drawn to companies that demonstrate strong product market fit and possess the potential for significant disruption within their respective industries.
What sets Leah apart is her unique blend of operational experience and investment acumen. Before transitioning into venture capital, Leah Solivan made a significant impact as the founder and CEO of TaskRabbit, a pioneering on demand service marketplace. Under her leadership, TaskRabbit grew from an innovative concept into a widely recognized brand, ultimately leading to its acquisition by IKEA. This firsthand experience of building, scaling, and successfully exiting a major tech company provides her with an unparalleled perspective. She understands the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship intimately, making her a highly empathetic and effective partner for founders.
Leah's career background also includes foundational roles at IBM, where she honed her technical and strategic skills. This diverse experience, spanning large corporations and high growth startups, equips her with a comprehensive understanding of the technology ecosystem. At Fuel Capital, she leverages this deep operational expertise to guide portfolio companies through critical growth stages, offering strategic advice on everything from product development and market entry to team building and fundraising.
Her investment philosophy is deeply rooted in supporting founders with strong vision and execution capabilities. While specific public investments are often part of a firm's portfolio, Leah's influence is evident in Fuel Capital's commitment to backing companies that are poised to redefine their sectors. She seeks out opportunities where her operational insights can add substantial value, helping founders navigate complex business landscapes and achieve sustainable growth. For entrepreneurs seeking not just capital, but also a seasoned mentor and strategic partner, Leah Solivan at Fuel Capital represents a compelling ally. Her dedication to fostering innovation and her proven track record make her an invaluable asset to the startup community.
