Carolina Huaranca Mendoza resides in the San Francisco Bay Area and works as the Principal (venture capital investor) for Kapor Capital, an Oakland-based fund that supports the ability of startup companies.

As such, Huaranca partners with

entrepreneurs, identifies and evaluates early stage investments, and ensures that people from all backgrounds know how to access capital.

Her most proud accomplishment comes from helping to build one of the top performing charter school networks in the country, currently serving over 10,000 kids.

She credits her Latino parents for stressing the importance of building one's success through education and community building. "Because of my parents, my North Star has always been about giving disenfranchised communities access and opportunity. This has been reflected in the jobs I’ve

chosen;

I’ve strived to have this reflected throughout my career,” she said.

Early Life

Originally from Long Island, Carolina Huaranca graduated from Cornell University and began her career in 2003 as a Sales & Marketing Manager at SchoolNet.

Career

Before her position as Principal, Huaranca was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Kapor Center for Social Impact (KCSI).

In part, she utilized her technological platform for teacher professional development.

In 2012, she founded Spriggle, a science and math-inspired product for parents with children ages 3-9.

She worked as a Mergers & Acquisitions banker on Wall Street. Meanwhile, she created a company for stay at home moms to generate additional income while exposing their children to STEM education.

Personal Interests

Mendoza is particularly interested in education and technology.

She works to both close the gender gap in the technological world, as well as to mentor unrepresented youths of colour through programs such as SMASH Academy, a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) college program.

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Outside of work, Carolina mentors female entrepreneurs and low-income teens pursuing careers in technology.