LI
Hello!
I’m Larissa
Currently based in 📍Los Angeles via Rome, Padova, Beijing, and San Francisco. Alumna of UC Irvine and University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.
Intrigued by technology, traveling, classical music, strategy, wine, art, cooking, fabulous food, and even better conversations.
Seeking to be inspired, to envision the unlikely, to work hard for things that are worth it, and to be surrounded by those who bring out the best in me.
Lari
Work
Entrepreneurially driven. Globally focused. Wine fueled.
As a vintner at heart—the next best thing is to intoxicate people with ideas. I love building startups, products, and communities. Like wine, it’s part art, part science, and a touch of alchemy.
As Head of Community, I drive value beyond revenue for venture capital firms. By building positive and trustworthy relationships with both investors and founders I create engaging content and strengthen networks. I love nurturing rising, high-potential startups and am focused on bringing diversity and inclusion to venture capital. Currently, I am g
My Professional Interests
Innovation + New Ventures
Experienced business founder with a strong venture capital background. Passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation. Experience with pitching, fundrasining and investing.
Strategy & Operations
I bring products from ideation to marketplace. This includes getting a startup off the ground to roadmapping a new product for a larger organization.
Product Development
I have deep understanding of the CPG/consumer world (food & beverage, alcohol, health & wellness). Have built 10+ brands and have managed all aspects of product development from formulation, scaling, distribution, and marketing.
International Experience & New Markets
I have successfully drove market penetration in multiple countries across Western Europe, China, and APAC (Asia-Pacific) regions. Experience leading and mentoring cross-functional, global teams.
What I’m building and previous experience
I’m currently Community Manager at Vitalize VC, where I’m growing the largest, most diverse angel inveseting community in the world. Vitalize is a venture capital fund that invests in seed stage software companies focused on future of work. Vitalize has backed amazing startups such as The Mom Project, Placer.ai, Elevate K-12, Toucan, Zero Grocery, Enklu, Zingtree, and many more!
Formerly, I was Founder and Head of International Operations at Quility Wine Partners, where I launched and scaled a global wine distribution company. I created numerous wine brands and forged entry into Asian markets for major US wineries, creating new revenue streams.
I’ve been lucky to have worked on projects to boost entrepreneurship locally (TenOneTen Ventures, LA-based venture capital firm started by founders of Google AdSense) and help shape economic policies to propel business growth globally (APEC Business Advisory Council).
Some of the side projects I’ve worked on:
// Lana Wines — Inspired to learn everything I could about the winemaking process, I created my own brand from vine to bottle.
// The Picnic Wines — Developing a low-alcohol, good-for-you wine encased in sustainable eco-friendly packaging. Women-owned and women-produced.
// TheDirtyFem — two sisters on a mission to support and provide women with organic cosmetics handmade with love in Los Angeles, California.
I’m excited to connect with people working on interesting ideas, and always happy to be a resource if I can be helpful. You can reach me at linsogna@gmail.com.
Why work with me?
Entrepreneurial
Over the past decade, I’ve undertaken many successful (and unsuccessful) business ventures. Over the next decade, I’m going to take on even more. Call me a rolling stone. I’ll stop when I’m dead.
Disruptor
Disruption drives me. Sometimes I shake things up and change the model, and sometimes I make a better model. Whenever I see a barrier, I tear it down.
Operations
I’m constantly working to fix every problem in front of me. How can I tweak this? How can I do that better? I am not satisfied until I fully understand how a system works, inside and out.
Strategist
Battling is in my nature—and I have the scars to prove it. I fight for anything (and everything) I want by always looking for solutions that add meaningful business value.
Relentless
I have bias towards action and am able to thrive in a fast-paced, constantly changing work environment.
Competitor
Growing up, I played competitive tennis and piano. Today, I compete in a different arena with my business ventures.
Relationship-builder
I am inspired when I am connecting with others, being of service, and creating community.
Leader
I love helping people achieve things they never thought they could—and changing their industry and the world in the process.
Additional Information
In my spare time
Wine
I am the winemaker and owner of Lana Wines. I am a Sommelier, French Wine Scholar, and WSET Advanced Certified.
Dogs
I have 2 German Shepherd rescues that I enjoy taking on adventures.
MBA Mentoring & Consulting
I loved my MBA experience and enjoy helping others who want to better themselves through education.
I build websites
Languages
- English (mother tongue) 100%
- Italian (conversational) 80%
- Spanish (survivable) 60%
- French (un petit peu) 15%