Ale Breuer is a former founder turned investor with a deep background in venture and startup coaching. She actively invests in and advises startups, with a particular focus on supporting underrepresented founders and building a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. LongJump is excited to welcome Ale to the team as a Founder Partner, where she'll work with selected companies, lending her expertise and network to help them grow and succeed.

Ale's entrepreneurial journey began at Booth, where she founded Ezza Nails, a tech-enabled, membership-based brick-and-mortar consumer business that empowered women on both sides of the manicure table. Under Ale’s leadership, Ezza opened multiple locations in downtown Chicago and quickly became known for its bold brand, built around the unapologetic ethos of the "tough-as-nails" woman.

Ale teaches entrepreneurship at Booth, including Building the New Venture, a course designed to help students navigate the first 18 months of a business’s lifecycle. She emphasizes hands-on, practical learning, offering real-world advice drawn from her own entrepreneurial experience. Ale helps founders articulate their vision and anticipate future challenges.

She holds an MBA from Chicago Booth, a BA from the University of Notre Dame, a Master’s degree in Teaching from Dominican University, and is a Teach for America alum.

What Drew You to LongJump?

I met Rebecca Kahnweiler back in 2019. We were part of a small group of CEO founders who also happened to be embarking on motherhood. Our conversations ranged from the strategy of raising capital to the personal challenges of balancing leadership and becoming parents. We leaned on each other through pivotal moments, including navigating the pandemic as founders.

I was aware of LongJump when it launched, but by then I had already raised a seed round and wasn’t a fit for their portfolio. When Rebecca became Managing Director, I learned more about LongJump’s mission. What I discovered was an organization actively working to close the early-stage funding gap in a way that felt fresh, founder-first, and very different from traditional venture firms.

Raising capital as a female founder in the beauty industry was incredibly challenging. I wasn’t born or raised in Chicago. I didn’t come from a family of entrepreneurs, and I didn’t have a built-in network when it was time to fundraise. As a first-generation American with Paraguayan and Italian roots, I also didn’t know the unwritten rules of the game. It was women founders, a few stages ahead of me, who helped me navigate the ecosystem. That experience shaped my belief in the power of founders helping founders.

The moment that cemented my desire to join LongJump was attending their annual meeting. Despite my prior experience in venture, I had never seen a firm so authentically centered on the founder. Conversations with LPs and founders reinforced that LongJump offered a level of post-investment support that stood apart. Every partner had been an operator, which meant they weren’t just writing checks — they were rolling up their sleeves to offer real, tactical support. This commitment aligns perfectly with my passion for mentoring and guiding founders through the toughest stages of building a business.

What Advice Do You Have for Individuals Who Want to Pursue Entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship is not one-size-fits-all. If you are drawn to startups, ask yourself if you thrive in uncertainty, enjoy solving high-stakes problems, and are willing to commit to a vision that others may not immediately see.

One of the defining traits of a founder is the ability to persist when misunderstood. Family and friends may not grasp the sacrifices required. Investors might not see the potential in your vision right away. You need conviction, belief in your mission, even when external validation is scarce.

The startup journey comes with extreme highs and lows. Success can feel fleeting, and challenges are constant. If you’re not comfortable navigating prolonged periods of uncertainty, founding may not be the right path. But startups offer many ways to contribute. You can join an early-stage team, operate, invest, or support founders in other ways. The key is finding a role that fits your skills, personality, and appetite for risk.

What Qualities Do You Look for in Founders?

Passion
Passion fuels founders through the inevitable storms of entrepreneurship. It’s not enough to believe in your idea. You need a level of enthusiasm that inspires others to join you. Great founders attract talent, investors, and partners because their passion is contagious.

Integrity
Integrity is non-negotiable. In the fast-paced world of startups, where decisions often happen with incomplete information, honesty and transparency are essential. People need to trust you’ll do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

Resilience
Every founder faces setbacks, rejections, and moments of doubt. The key is how you respond. Resilience means learning from failure and moving forward with renewed determination. It’s often the difference between a founder who survives and one who thrives.

Coachability
Founders must balance conviction with adaptability. The best entrepreneurs know they don’t have all the answers. They listen, absorb feedback, and adjust. Being coachable requires humility and the willingness to evolve.

Outside of Teaching and Venture, How Do You Spend Your Time?

Outside the classroom and the venture world, I spend most of my time with my husband, two young boys (and third on the way!). We love to travel and explore new places, both locally and internationally. I’m also a big fan of a Ravinia summer concert.

What’s Your Favorite Thing to Do in Chicago?

Aside from going to concerts, I love exploring Chicago’s parks. Winnemac Park in Lincoln Square and the Japanese Garden in Jackson Park are two of my favorites.

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