by BOTWC Staff
An Atlanta-based, Black woman-owned venture capital firm is now in the top seat after the final close of its inaugural funding.
Maria Toler Velissaris has always been a devout business woman. When she was just a junior in college, she started a student storage company called Wakeboxes. Renamed Collegeboxes, it was eventually purchased by Uhaul and still operates today!
Next, Maria founded SteelSky as a way to uplift women-owned businesses. With a focus on investing in medical technologies, including medical devices, digital health, and ePharmacy, her goal is to further improve women’s accessibility and experience when it comes to healthcare. SteelSky recently wrapped up its inaugural fund, closing at $72 million in total assets, making it the world’s largest venture capital fund focused on women’s healthcare.
Velissaris, who has invested in over 20 woman-led companies, stated, “Women’s health is an area of tremendous growth potential, and SteelSky is building a pipeline of the next billion-dollar healthcare giants. We are proud to invest in entrepreneurs who are significantly progressing healthcare for women around the world.”
The fund has healthcare strategic partners like the American Hospital Association (AHA), Blue Shield of California, MultiCare Hospital System, Henry Ford Hospital System, Essential Access Health, and more.
Just a few months ago, Velissaris was awarded the 2022 Eisenhower Fellowship, where she traveled to Rwanda and Spain to progress the state of maternal healthcare. She was also featured in an online spread done by her alma mater, Wake Forest University.
Keep fighting for women’s health, Maria! We’re proud of you.
Photo: SteelSky Ventures
