MW

Melissa Withers

Experienced investor, fund manager & biz builder w/100+ investments under mgmt. Expertise in company strategy, GTM, capital planning & scaling for growth. Supporting founders who don’t start w/ the perks of privilege

Greater Boston

Invests in

Stages:

  • Min Investment:

    $150,000.00
  • Max Investment:

    $250,000.00
  • Target Investment:

    $200,000.00

Education

Work Experience

  • Member

    2024

  • Managing Partner & Co-Founder, RevUp Capital

    2015

    Leader of dynamic fund that has invested in 50+ B2B and B2C early stage companies. Identifies companies for investment, conducting diligence in the context of changing market conditions. Provides strategic support and leadership to a diverse portfolio of fast-growing companies that are in-market, growing, and navigating the complexities of scale. Special focus on investing into and growing companies led by founders undeserved by traditional venture capital.

2020

  • Board Member

    2020

  • Board Member

    2022

  • Member

    2024

2019 - 2021

  • Mentor in Residence TechStars Boston

    2019 - 2021

    Expertise: B2B & B2C, Go to Market Strategy, Customer Dev, Content & Communication, Enterprise Sales Interested in early and accelerated growth Favorite Snack: The Competition

2011 - 2015

  • Managing Director // Nerd Whisperer

    2011 - 2015

    Nationally-ranked Betaspring was one of the first (and best!) startup accelerators in the world to come into existence when it launched in 2009. From 2009-2014 Betaspring invested in 89 companies, a portfolio that has raised $65M in follow-on funding and produced six exits.

  • Cofounder and Executive Director

    2006 - 2010

    My co-founder and I launched BIF to create a platform where organizations accelerate the design and testing of new business models. Proud to say that BIF is growing and stronger than ever, albeit it without me. Most proud of my contributions getting the org launched and profitable, creating the now-heralded BIF Summit and creating the first BIF Experience Labs—the framework for how BIF delivers value to its clients and customers. Here is where I cut my teeth on delivering complicated, multi-partner collaborations. Elevated my storytelling skills to new level. Got drunk on the innovation Kool-Aid. Best. Experience. Ever.

Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation

2005 - 2008

  • Director of Communications and Market Development

    2005 - 2008

    Responsible for agency's media relations and public relations programming. Also oversaw strategic marketing initiatives and the launch of new programs. Added bonus: oversight of agency's innovation programming with mandate to develop and launch new initiatives.

  • Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs

    1999 - 2005

    Managed public outreach, community relations, and internal and external communication for top-tier biomedical research institute at MIT. Proud of my work contributing to communications and public outreach for the Human Genome Project. Monitored trends in science policy, producing editorials, advocacy correspondence, and briefs for local and national legislators. Served on media relations team, developed publications, produced major events. Led program to help scientists become effective communicators and policy advocates at local, state and national level and oversaw award winning program for connecting students with world-class science programming.