LongJump is thrilled to announce Rebecca Kahnweiler as the fund’s new Managing Partner. Rebecca has worked with LongJump in both advisory and partnership roles since our inception, actively joining the investment team in 2022 as a Venture Partner.
Rebecca has deep roots in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, both locally in Chicago and internationally. Her first venture, Sector3, is still active today as a Peruvian consultancy that focuses on the acceleration of female-led businesses in partnership with local and international aid organizations. After returning to Chicago in 2014, Rebecca co-founded Wise Apple, raising over $4.3M to scale the delivery of healthy meal options for children throughout the Midwest. She has also held leadership roles on the founding team at Bonfire and MightyNest. Recognizing the importance of capital as a catalyst for early-stage startups, Rebecca started angel investing three years ago with a particular focus on female-led companies in consumer tech and food/beverage.
LongJump’s previous Managing Partner, Tim Grace, will remain as a General Partner at the fund as he assumes a new role as Managing Director of Techstars Columbus Powered by The Ohio State University. “Rebecca is an incredible ally to founders, and a great one herself. LongJump’s portfolio and LPs are privileged to have her in their corner. As a co-founder of the fund, I’ll never stop supporting our founders & my partners and am excited for the mutual benefits to come from my new role at Techstars.”
Getting to Know Rebecca
What makes LongJump different and what drew you to work with the fund?
LongJump is led by a group of founders and most of the LongJump GPs are actively building companies. Having been in our founders’ shoes recently puts the LongJump partnership in a unique spot to offer support, guidance, and collaboration. One of our founders recently referred to us as the ‘Bat Phone.’ I loved that because it perfectly captures what we’re trying to build - a reliable call for late-night problem-solving, a listening ear, or whatever a founder needs. We aim to be right there in the trenches. This extends to our network (both LPs and beyond). LongJump is supported by a strong community of operators who know what it's like to be in the thick of it; they are always on hand to have a conversation and make introductions.
You’ve founded or been on several early teams with startups - what advice do you have for founders in the initial stages of building their business?
Treat the business like a living, breathing person and make decisions accordingly. Ask yourselves often: what’s best for the business? This may seem obvious, but I’ve seen so many founders make decisions around what’s best for an individual - often a founder’s ego or another influence in the company. In the early stages, your job is to stay alive long enough to give the company its best shot possible at finding product market fit. The best way I’ve seen teams do this is by constantly asking what the business needs and then chasing that.
What gets you excited about a company under consideration for LongJump investment?
I love hearing a unique insight about a market, especially a market that is underserved or appears niche at first blush - often these overlooked markets are where solutions take hold and spread naturally (hello organic growth). Often, our founders have a different perspective on a problem and you can see why and where their product should exist.
I also love founders who go out and execute. At the earliest stages, it’s important to have a big vision, but it’s equally important to do the work. I love meeting founders who put their heads down and get stuff done.
What types of things are you into outside of work?
I have two small children at home, ages 3.5 and 1, plus a 2-year-old puppy. (It may have been ambitious to get a puppy when we had an 18-month-old at home…) Unsurprisingly, my family is my main focus outside of work. I do get out on the tennis court twice a week. I’m a beginner, but having lots of fun learning.
What is a favorite Chicago memory of yours?
I grew up here, so that’s a hard question - so many memories! Back in 2018, Tim, Brian, and I were at a Cubs game when we first discussed my involvement in LongJump. We knew there had to be a way to get more early-stage money into the city’s tech ecosystem, specifically to founders who were often overlooked. I’m not sure it gets more Chicago than talking about how to support the home team at a Cubs game!