How Operator Collective is Transforming Venture Capital with Diversity-Driven Investing
Breaking Barriers in Silicon Valley
Founded in 2019 by Mallun Yen, Operator Collective emerged as a revolutionary investment firm with a mission to amplify underrepresented voices in Silicon Valley. Yen, a former Cisco VP and SaaStr co-founder, envisioned a platform connecting women and people of color with seasoned operators—experienced professionals who have built companies from the ground up.
Partner Leyla Seka, who played a pivotal role in developing Salesforce’s AppExchange marketplace, joined forces with Yen. Together, they recognized the systemic inequities in venture capital and set out to create meaningful change through early-stage investments.
A New Model for Limited Partners
Operator Collective stands out through its innovative approach to limited partners (LPs):
- Accessible investment thresholds: Contributions range from $10,000 to millions
- Diverse LP composition: 90% women, 40% people of color (including Asian representation)
- First-time investors: Over 70% of Operator LPs had never previously invested in venture capital
This structure has attracted 130+ operator LPs with experience at major tech companies like Zoom, Stripe, and Cloudflare.
By the Numbers: Diversity in Action
The firm’s investment portfolio demonstrates its commitment to inclusion:
- 67% of investments include people of color (44% Asian, 17% Latinx, 6% Black)
- 56% feature female founders
- 56% have immigrant founders
- 33% are led by female CEOs
Investment Philosophy: Solving Hard Problems with Diverse Perspectives
Enterprise Trends Worth Watching
Operator Collective focuses on enterprise software and technology, particularly:
- DevOps solutions
- Data science augmentation
- Strategic FP&A platforms
- Business growth enablers
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated SaaS adoption, creating new opportunities for innovative solutions that support remote collaboration and operational efficiency.
What Makes a Compelling Investment?
The firm evaluates founders based on:
- Vision and execution capability
- First-hand problem experience
- Cultural values (humility, lifelong learning)
- Commitment to diversity and operational excellence
“We back founders building the type of companies we’d want our children to work at in the future,” note Yen and Seka.
The Road Ahead: Creating Lasting Change
Operator Collective recognizes that diversity in tech requires sustained effort. Through their unique model—combining accessible investment opportunities with a network of experienced operators—they’re creating a blueprint for more inclusive venture capital.
As Seka acknowledges, “There’s no finish line to making the technology and venture industries more diverse.” But with their operator-driven approach and measurable results, Operator Collective demonstrates that meaningful change is possible when inclusion becomes core to investment strategy.
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