Aakash Kapoor
Investor
Sequoia Capital
Peak XV investor focused on fintech, payments and consumer internet across SEA and ANZ.
Bio
Professional summary
Jess Lee is a Sequoia Capital partner focused on seed and early-stage companies. Her official profile describes her path from Stanford computer science to Google product management and then Polyvore, where she joined as employee number one, worked across engineering, design, community, fundraising, and ads, became cofounder and CEO, and later joined Sequoia after Polyvore was acquired by Yahoo. She says she looks for founders with spike, grit, spark, distance traveled, mission orientation, and storytelling ability. Her natural focus is consumer, including generational shifts such as side hustles, aging demographics, Gen Z behavior, and flexible work. She also co-founded All Raise.
Investment focus
Stage, sector, and overall fit
Stage
seedearly
Sector
consumerAI consumercommunitymarketplaceshealthcarefuture of workcreator economy
Thesis
Seed and early-stage companiesConsumerFounders with spike, grit, spark, distance traveled, mission orientation, and storytelling abilityGenerational shifts including side hustles, aging population, Gen Z attitudes, and flexible work
Notable companies
Selected portfolio companies the partner has backed
ClaimCoveDelphiFlagshipFreedGigiIris LabsIroncladMavenMosOtterPacePendulumProtégéRoonSquintWonoloPolyvore
How to approach
Framing and angles for outreach
Pitch framing
Emphasize founder story, user love, community, consumer behavior change, and why the founding team has unusual insight into a generational shift.
Personalization hooks
- 1Former Polyvore cofounder and CEO who values founder empathy and being a hands-on partner.
- 2Personal side listed by Sequoia includes cosplay, manga, pop culture, bacon, and All Raise.
Recent signals
What the partner has said or done recently
Current companies first partnered in 2023-2025 include Claim, Cove, Delphi, Freed, Gigi, and Squint.
Sequoia profile and portfolio list suggests active interest in AI-assisted consumer/workflow products, healthcare, community, and creator/social products.
Background
Career, education, and skills
Career history
- Sequoia CapitalPartner2016 – Present
- Polyvore (acquired by Yahoo!)CEO / Co-Founder2007 – 2016
- GoogleProduct ManagerPrior
Education
- Stanford UniversityB.S. Computer Science
Skills
Seed/Early InvestingConsumer TechProduct DesignCommunity BuildingFounder Coaching
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