Introducing the 2026 PledgeLA VC Fellowship Cohort!

When a broad range of perspectives and experiences are incorporated into the fabric of the venture capital ecosystem, the entire industry thrives. With the support of the Annenberg Foundation, in 2019 we launched a first-of-its-kind VC program pathway expanding access to this innovative sector, particularly for those not well-represented in this space. Since then, we’ve placed 82 fellows in 10-week, full-time paid internships at top LA-based venture firms, and of our alumni, more than 50% are working in VC or tech related roles.

Our seventh-annual fellowship program is a core part of PledgeLA’s work to build a more resilient venture ecosystem in Los Angeles that is representative of our dynamic city. This summer, after a competitive selection process, we are excited to welcome our new cohort — six inspiring and impact-driven fellows matched at L.A. based partner firms and accelerators. The 2026 PledgeLA VC Fellow cohort represents emerging leaders in venture that bring experience in healthtech, social impact, entrepreneurship, and more. Of this group, 83% are women, 33% identify as immigrants, 83% identify as people of color (Black, Latinx/e, or AAPI), and 33% identify as LGBTQIA+.

Each fellow participated in 4 months of intensive venture capital training, hosted by our training partner Cinematica Labs. During the program, fellows connected with founders of high-growth startups, and learned from experienced investors including Shane Kelly, Sparkhouse Fund Director at Spelman College, and guest instructor Lisha Bell, who served as the Economic Opportunity Fund Manager at PayPal Ventures. As a capstone to the training, the cohort developed investment memos and venture investment strategies, while shaping their personal mission and vision as the next generation of leaders in venture capital. This summer, they will work alongside incredible venture leaders at firms including MaC Venture Capital, Emmeline Ventures, VamosVentures, and more!

We look forward to the impact this class will make at their firms this summer and beyond.

Join us in congratulating our 2026 PledgeLA VC Fellows and learn more about them below!

**Genie Alvarez **University of California, Los Angeles Fellow at VamosVentures

Genie is a full-time MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson School of Management. Prior to business school, she spent eight years in healthcare operations, spanning large academic medical centers to early-stage health tech startups. Working at the intersection of healthcare and technology shaped her belief in technology’s potential to drive scalable, meaningful impact in care delivery. Post-MBA, she plans to pursue a career in tech strategy and venture capital. She is a Consortium Fellow, Forté Fellow, and UC Irvine graduate.

**Elizaveta Beltyukova **University of California, Los Angeles Fellow at Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)

Elizaveta (Liza) is studying Data Science in Biomedicine at UCLA, after completing her BS in Cognitive Science at UC San Diego. She has explored roles across business, analytics, and product work, and enjoys working on interdisciplinary teams that connect technology, healthcare, and strategy. Liza is especially interested in supporting healthtech solutions that expand access to care and create opportunities for underserved communities. In her spare time, she enjoys working on cars, snowboarding, and drawing.

**Kenneth Han **University of California, Los Angeles Fellow at Grid110

Kenneth is a recent MBA graduate of UCLA Anderson with a background in clinical mental health. Prior to business school, he worked as a therapist in community mental health clinics supporting marginalized populations with high-acuity needs. Through this work, he developed an interest in how systems and capital decisions influence access and outcomes. He is interested in VC and investing particularly in firms that combine strong fundamentals with thoughtful execution while fostering healing, hope, and empowerment.

**Caroline Hung **University of California, Riverside Fellow at Emmeline Ventures

Caroline, a recent PhD graduate from University of California, Riverside in Earth and Planetary Sciences, is passionate about investments that drive urban innovation and climate solutions. Her interest in VC stems from her work at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, where she supported Derapi, a SaaS startup for distributed energy resources. She brings unique foundations in environmental chemistry and policy — from leading water quality research at California’s Salton Sea to conducting international field expeditions. As an immigrant from Taiwan who has built her life in Los Angeles, she is committed to investing in startups that make cities more livable, affordable, and sustainable, championing innovations that bring value for everyone while questioning the status quo.

**Olivia Matta **University of Southern California Fellow at Supply Change Capital

Olivia is a current full-time MBA student at USC Marshall with a background in healthcare spanning both clinical and operational roles. She previously worked as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and has experience with multiple digital health startups, where she supported clinical operations and business initiatives. She is broadly interested in healthcare innovation and the ways technology can shape the future. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys traveling the world, staying active through exercise, and exploring new music. Looking ahead, she plans to build a career in VC supporting founders at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and impact.

**Aliya White **Emory University Fellow at MaC Venture Capital

Aliya is a strategy and partnerships professional with experience spanning financial services, venture ecosystems, and go-to-market leadership. She previously worked at J.P. Morgan and has supported founders and investors through initiatives such as the Peachtree Minority Venture Fund at Emory University, where she helped bridge capital, community, and opportunity. Aliya plans to build a career in venture capital where she can source differentiated deal flow, support portfolio growth, and design ecosystems that expand which founders receive funding.

About PledgeLA

PledgeLA is a collective of Los Angeles-based venture capital firms and tech companies working to increase access to capital for all Angelenos, launched in 2018 in partnership with the Annenberg Foundation and the City of Los Angeles.

About Cinematica Labs

Cinematica Labs builds entrepreneurial ecosystems through community, capital, connectivity, and culture. Led by 3x founder, venture investor, and Sparkhouse Fund Director at Spelman College Shane Kelly together with serial ecosystem builder Trivia Edwards, they have partnered with powerhouse organizations including Black Ambition, New Media Ventures, Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Black Future House.