# Minda Brusse

> Minda Brusse is a Venture Partner at 2048 Ventures and Co-founding Partner at First Row Partners, a pre-seed firm backing technology companies that empower brand builders, content creators, and storytellers. With 25+ years in the startup ecosystem spanning Andersen Consulting, multiple co-founder roles, angel investing, and fund management, she also teaches Angel Investing and entrepreneurship at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business. A champion of expanding participation in Pacific Northwest venture capital, she co-founded The 1K Project during the pandemic, raising $3.3M for 1,100 families in need.

- **Role:** Founding Partner at First Row Partners; Venture Partner at 2048 Ventures
- **Organizations:** First Row Partners, 2048 Ventures, University of Washington Foster School of Business, The 1K Project, Grubstakes, Seattle Angel Conference
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, Santa Clara University
- **Known for:** Co-founded First Row Partners, investing in 20+ pre-seed startups across the US and Canada since 2020, Raised $3.3M for 1,100 families in need through The 1K Project during the COVID-19 pandemic, Named Venture Partner at 2048 Ventures to lead Pacific Northwest deal sourcing

## Career timeline

- **1995-2000** — Systems integration consultant at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), working with Dial Corporation, Siemens, Motorola, HP, and LSI Logic
- **2000-2005** — Director of Operations / Senior Director at Epylon Corporation (eProcurement SaaS startup), which was acquired by Accenture
- **2005-2015** — Lynchpin employee and co-founder at multiple early-stage startups across mobile apps, blockchain, affiliate marketing, lead generation, and retail technology
- **2015-2018** — Chief of Staff at Storm (blockchain company)
- **2017-2018** — Speaker at Techstars Startup Week Seattle (2017, 2018)
- **2018-2019** — Angel Investor Core Team member at Grubstakes
- **2019** — Fund Manager at Seattle Angel Conference XVI
- **2019** — Co-founded First Row Partners with Yoko Okano
- **2020** — Joined 2048 Ventures as Venture Partner to source Pacific Northwest investments
- **2020** — Co-founded The 1K Project; raised $3.3M in cash grants for 1,100 families during COVID-19 pandemic
- **2020-present** — Founding Partner at First Row Partners, investing in 20+ pre-seed startups across US and Canada
- **2021-present** — Lecturer at University of Washington Foster School of Business, teaching Angel Investing (ENTRE 579) and entrepreneurship courses
- **2023** — Launched The Ensemble Event Fund, a startup investment competition to grow PNW angel network

## Achievements

- Co-founded First Row Partners, investing in 20+ pre-seed startups across the US and Canada since 2020
- Raised $3.3M for 1,100 families in need through The 1K Project during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Named Venture Partner at 2048 Ventures to lead Pacific Northwest deal sourcing
- Appointed Lecturer at UW Foster School of Business, teaching Angel Investing (ENTRE 579)
- 25+ years of experience across startup operations, angel investing, and fund management
- Member of Women in VC community, advocating for diversity in venture capital
- Board Observer at Xemelgo; Mentor at Techstars, Startup Haven, UW CoMotion
- Co-Founded and managed the Ensemble Event Fund, a unique startup investment competition for angel investors
- Sustaining member of Seattle Art Museum Supporters (SAMS) and Junior League of Seattle

## Latest updates

- **2024-03** — Active as Founding Partner at First Row Partners, continuing to lead pre-seed investments in brand builder and content creator technology
- **2023-10** — Launched The Ensemble Event Fund with First Row Partners to grow PNW angel investor network
- **2021** — Joined University of Washington Foster School of Business as Lecturer, teaching Angel Investing course (ENTRE 579)

## Links

- Website: https://www.firstrowpartners.vc/minda-brusse-1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindabrusse/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mindabrusse

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/minda-brusse
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-06