VENTURE CAPITAL

CATHARINE DOCKERY, 27

FOUNDER, VICE VENTURES

In 2018 Catharine Dockery was raising money for L.A. wine startup Bev when she experienced a major buzzkill: “the vice clause.” To manage money for foundations and nonprofits, many investors pledge to avoid backing alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, gambling and sex. As a result numerous VCs repeatedly told Dockery the wine company was off-limits. Rather than see that as an obstacle, Dockery saw an opportunity. She sold her New York apartment to launch her fund Vice Ventures to back taboo brands. Formerly a Citigroup analyst and chief of staff for Bonobos cofounder Andy Dunn, Dockery has raised $25 million from family offices and high-profile investors like Marc Andreessen and Bradley Tusk. Early bets include CBD drink-maker Recess and Maude, which makes condoms and vibrators. “A lot of people were very skeptical and didn’t believe,” Dockery says. “Now I have a ton of companies that come to me directly, and I get deals from a lot of other funds.”

JUDGES: NEERAJ AGRAWAL, GENERAL PARTNER, BATTERY VENTURES; KIRSTEN GREEN, FOUNDING PARTNER, FORERUNNER VENTURES; REBECCA KADEN, MANAGING PARTNER, UNION SQUARE VENTURES (UNDER 30 CLASS OF 2015); JEFF JORDAN, MANAGING PARTNER, ANDREESSEN HOROWITZ. CATHARINE DOCKERY WEARS AN ALICE & OLIVIA FAUX FUR COAT AND AKNVAS BROWN CHECK PLAID TUNIC AND PANTS.