Natalie Riso is an entrepreneur, strategist, and thought leader who has made significant strides in the startup and venture capital space. Recognized three times as a LinkedIn Top Voice, she has become a prominent figure in entrepreneurship, personal branding, and strategic partnerships. From launching innovative programs to supporting early-stage founders, Natalie’s journey reflects her passion for helping others grow and succeed.

Early Career and Education

Natalie Riso’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California (USC), with study-abroad experiences at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and UC Irvine. Her strong academic foundation, combined with her international exposure, laid the groundwork for her future endeavors in entrepreneurship, marketing, and strategic partnerships. She has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of the global marketplace, helping to shape her role as a versatile leader.

During her time at USC, she held several leadership roles, including co-president and VP of Marketing for the USC Hacker House. This early leadership experience set the tone for her career, where she would continue to lead teams and drive innovation across multiple sectors. She also gained valuable experience working with Whalerock Industries, a media and content company where she honed her content management skills.

LinkedIn Top Voice and Personal Branding

One of Natalie’s most notable achievements is being recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2015, 2016, and 2018. These accolades placed her at the forefront of LinkedIn’s content creation community, showcasing her ability to leverage the platform for thought leadership, networking, and personal branding. Her recognition as a LinkedIn Top Voice came in part from her ability to inspire a wide audience with insights on career growth, entrepreneurship, and the evolving digital landscape.

As a LinkedIn Campus Editor, Natalie was one of the first 23 people to take on the role, where she edited over 30 LinkedIn articles and hosted more than 20 talks about how to maximize the platform’s potential. Her ability to communicate complex ideas in a way that resonated with a broad audience was a key factor in her success. Her impressive following on LinkedIn, which exceeded 250,000 while she was still a student, is a testament to her mastery of personal branding and content strategy.

Her ongoing efforts in helping others build their personal brands led to the founding of Social Mind in 2018. Social Mind is a consulting firm that focuses on helping founders, venture capitalists, and prominent startup operators grow their personal brands and enhance their businesses through content marketing and operations.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Startup Ecosystem Contributions

Natalie’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her work across various sectors. As the founder of Impact Mentality, she led a 20+ member team to host events focused on mental health, entrepreneurship, and marketing. She successfully transitioned the project into networking dinners for founders and strategists in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Her experience as a Global Marketing & Partnerships Manager at 500 Startups was pivotal in shaping her career. She led marketing and partnerships strategies for global campaigns, managed budgets, logistics, and data analysis, and played an integral role in the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. Under her leadership, 500 Startups launched its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing lens, focusing on the positive impact that startups can have on society.

Natalie also helped launch 500 Startups’ first fully virtual demo day in just under three weeks, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses around the world to adapt. Her agility and leadership in this moment reflect her ability to thrive under pressure and innovate in the face of adversity. Additionally, she was instrumental in launching 500’s female founders and Black founders hubs, further demonstrating her commitment to inclusivity in the startup ecosystem.

Leadership Roles at LTSE and Mercury

At Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE), Natalie worked as the Special Projects & Partnerships Lead, where she led research, product ideation, and coalition feedback to connect long-term startups with like-minded investors. Her work involved organizing events for early-stage founders and investors, managing partnerships with accelerators like Techstars, and working with top banks and law firms. As the Marketing Lead at LTSE, she spearheaded the marketing growth strategy for the company’s software product, helped launch Asana and Twilio on LTSE’s stock exchange, and coordinated efforts for the Open Cap Table Coalition, a groundbreaking initiative that standardized cap table data for startups and investors.

Natalie’s latest role as Senior Program Manager at Mercury’s Raise continues to highlight her leadership capabilities. At Mercury, she leads pre-seed fundraising efforts, guiding founders through pitch reviews, VC introductions, and fundraising strategies. Natalie has built and manages a community of over 600 vetted early-stage founders, focusing on functional milestones such as fundraising, go-to-market planning, and product development. Her work at Mercury places her at the heart of the startup ecosystem, where she fosters collaboration and growth among founders, investors, and venture capitalists.

Mentorship and Advisory Roles

Natalie’s passion for helping others is also reflected in her mentorship roles. As an Anchor Mentor for the Talent x Opportunity Fund at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), she focused on helping underrepresented founders with go-to-market strategies, marketing, sales, and fundraising. Her advisory work for startups like FLIK and Impact Mentality further underscores her dedication to empowering others, particularly women and minority founders.

Passion for Climate and Sustainability

In her most recent role as a Climatebase Cohort 6 Fellow, Natalie has expanded her focus to include the climate sector. Her participation in the 12-week Climatebase fellowship program signals her growing interest in sustainability and climate-focused startups. The fellowship combines hands-on climate startup projects with an ongoing community of over 1,000 climate professionals, positioning Natalie at the forefront of this important and evolving industry.

Proudest Moments and Legacy

Throughout her career, Natalie has achieved a number of milestones that she considers her proudest moments. These include launching the first two listings on LTSE, building the first fully virtual demo day at 500 Startups, and being told by peers that she made her colleagues feel seen and heard. These moments reflect not just her professional accomplishments but also her focus on community building and fostering meaningful connections.

Natalie Riso’s story is one of perseverance, innovation, and leadership. Whether it’s helping startups navigate the complex world of fundraising, advocating for diversity and inclusion in tech, or mentoring the next generation of founders, she has consistently shown a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Her work continues to inspire many in the entrepreneurial community, and her influence is sure to grow as she continues to lead in both the tech and climate sectors.

Natalie Riso is a powerhouse in the entrepreneurial and venture capital world, known for her expertise in strategic partnerships, personal branding, and supporting early-stage founders. From her leadership at 500 Startups to her work at LTSE and Mercury, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to innovate, mentor, and lead. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work, passion, and a commitment to helping others succeed.