Theresia Gouw
Born 1968 · Age 57
Indonesian-born American venture capitalist and entrepreneur; former Accel partner; co-founder of Release Software, Aspect Ventures, and Acrew Capital; prominent investor focused on enterprise, security, fintech, and diversity in tech.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Jakarta, Indonesia
Theresia Gouw was born in Jakarta to parents of Chinese-Indonesian descent.
Family emigrated to United States
Gouw's family fled political violence against ethnic Chinese under Suharto and immigrated to the U.S.; they settled near Buffalo, New York.
Enrolled at Brown University
Became the first person from her high school to enroll at Brown University.
Summer internship at General Motors (approx.)
Summer internship at GM during her undergraduate years (reported in profiles as part of her early internships that led to interest in business).
Summer internship at British Petroleum (approx.)
Summer internship at BP during undergrad, contributing to her interest in business development.
Graduated Brown University, magna cum laude
Received a B.S. in engineering from Brown University, graduating magna cum laude.
Joined Bain & Company as management consultant
Began career in management consulting at Bain & Company in Boston, working on strategy and executive engagements.
Co-founded Release Software
With classmates after Stanford, co-founded Release Software (a SaaS company focused on payment/licensing technologies); served as founding VP of Business Development & Sales.
Completed MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business
Graduated with an MBA from Stanford GSB, positioning her to co-found a startup.
Release Software planned IPO (left before IPO)
Release Software planned an initial public offering in the late 1990s; Gouw left prior to the IPO due to high executive turnover.
Joined Accel Partners as investment associate
Started at Accel Partners, beginning a 15-year tenure during which she worked on major venture investments.
Became first female partner at Accel Partners
Promoted to partner at Accel, becoming the firm's first female partner and taking on larger investment responsibilities.
Worked on Accel's investment in Facebook
Collaborated with partner Jim Breyer on Accel's 2005 investment in Facebook (later Meta Platforms).
Worked on IPOs and exits (Imperva, Trulia etc.) — notable portfolio milestones
Across her Accel tenure, Gouw worked on major exits/IPOs including Imperva, Trulia, Forescout, HotelTonight (Airbnb), Astro (Slack), LearnVest (Northwestern Mutual). Year marks ongoing exit activity (approx. timing varied by company).
Facebook (Meta) IPO — large stake impact
At Facebook's IPO, Forbes later estimated Gouw held around 8 million Facebook shares; this stake materially increased her personal wealth, though she diversified over time.
Left Accel Partners
After ~15 years at Accel, Gouw departed the firm in 2013 to pursue founding her own VC firm.
Divorce
Gouw divorced in 2013 (personal milestone mentioned in profiles).
Aspect made early investments using founders' personal capital
In Aspect's first year the firm made several Series A and seed investments funded by Gouw and Fonstad's personal capital.
Co-founded Aspect Ventures
Co-founded Aspect Ventures with Jennifer Fonstad, an early-stage VC firm; both had previously worked together at Bain & Release Software.
Aspect Ventures raised $150M debut fund
Aspect secured a $150 million debut fund that included outside LP capital.
Public recognition: TIME, Forbes Midas List and others (cumulative)
Over her career Gouw has been named to Time's '40 Most Influential Minds in Tech', been on Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women, and appeared on the Forbes Midas List multiple times (profiles cite 9 Midas List appearances). These recognitions are cumulative across years; 2018 noted as one high-profile profile year.
Founding member of All Raise (approx.)
Identified as a founding member/leader of All Raise, a nonprofit aimed at increasing representation of women and underrepresented founders/funders (All Raise formed publicly in 2018).
Featured in Forbes profiles (career retrospective)
Forbes and other outlets profiled Gouw as one of the wealthiest/most powerful female VCs (e.g., Forbes piece July 11, 2018).
Aspect Ventures raised $181M second fund
Aspect closed a second fund of $181 million with investors including Melinda Gates.
Aspect Ventures split
Founders Fonstad and Gouw decided to split the firm over management differences; both went on to start separate firms.
Co-founded Acrew Capital and closed $250M debut fund
Gouw co-founded Acrew Capital with Lauren Kolodny, Vishal Lugani, Asad Khaliq and Mark Kraynak; Acrew closed a $250M debut fund in December 2019.
Named treasurer of Brown University Corporation board (serving role)
Profiles (Carnegie.org) identify Gouw as treasurer of Brown University's corporation board and active supporter of her alma mater (approximate timing of service listed in institutional bios).
Cisco-backed Acrew reported $680M in new venture funds (Bloomberg)
Reports indicated Acrew had raised/managed substantial new funds (~$680M in new venture funds) in 2021.
Named vice-chair of DonorsChoose (serving on board)
Gouw serves as vice-chair of the board of DonorsChoose (profiles list this role; date of appointment not always specified).
Acrew launched Diversify Capital Fund
Acrew launched The Diversify Capital Fund to diversify boards and cap tables of late-stage companies and increase access for underrepresented investors.
Acrew led HYCU's $53M Series B
Acrew led a $53M Series B round for HYCU, among portfolio investments demonstrating Acrew's active role in scaling companies.
Acrew reported managing ~$1.5B in assets (approx.)
Profiles (e.g., team/organization bios) report Acrew manages approximately $1.5 billion in assets.
Part of consortium buying minority stake in Buffalo Bills
Gouw was part of a venture capital/private equity consortium approved to purchase a minority ownership stake in the NFL's Buffalo Bills.
Recognized as one of America's richest self-made women / Forbes lists
Profiles and business outlets note inclusion on Forbes' lists and other rankings over her career, culminating in coverage in 2025 of her billionaire status.
Forbes names Gouw first U.S. female venture-capital billionaire
Forbes estimated Gouw's net worth at approximately $1.2 billion and described her as America's first female venture capitalist to become a billionaire.
Key Achievement Ages
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