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Leyla Seka is the Managing Partner at Operator Collective, a venture capital firm focused on accelerating diverse B2B technology founders. Alongside co-founder Mallun Yen, she manages a $50 million fund backed by a network of over 100 limited partners comprising experienced tech operators and investors. Before transitioning into venture capital, Seka built an extensive background in enterprise software through senior operational leadership positions, notably serving as an Executive Vice President at Salesforce and as the Chief Operating Officer at Ironclad. Beyond her primary investment activities, she co-launched the Black Venture Institute, an educational initiative that trains 50 Black executives twice yearly and has prepared over 200 total participants to join established firms. Her career currently centers on funding underrepresented enterprise technology entrepreneurs while advocating for sustainable work-life balance in high-pressure corporate environments.
Leyla Seka is a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as a Partner at Operator Collective. Her journey from a distinguished career in enterprise software to a leading investor makes her a valuable asset to the startup ecosystem, particularly for B2B SaaS and enterprise technology companies.
At Operator Collective, Leyla Seka plays a crucial role in identifying and nurturing promising early-stage companies. Operator Collective is unique as an angel fund and community built by and for women in tech, aiming to democratize access to capital and networks. Seka's involvement reinforces the fund's mission to back diverse founders and innovative solutions, fostering a more inclusive technology industry.
Leyla Seka's investment thesis is sharply focused on B2B SaaS, enterprise software, and developer tools. She seeks out companies with strong product market fit, scalable business models, and visionary leadership. Her deep understanding of the enterprise landscape, honed over decades, allows her to identify disruptive technologies and support founders through critical growth stages. She is particularly interested in solutions that address real world business challenges and drive efficiency, often looking for companies that can transform how businesses operate.
Before her impactful transition to venture capital, Leyla Seka built an illustrious career at Salesforce, a global leader in CRM. She spent over 12 years at the company, holding several executive positions, including Executive Vice President of the Salesforce Mobile division and Senior Vice President of Trailhead. At Trailhead, she was instrumental in building Salesforce's innovative online learning platform, significantly impacting developer and user education globally. Her leadership at Salesforce was marked by a commitment to product excellence, strategic growth, and fostering a vibrant community. This extensive operational expertise provides her with a unique perspective as an investor, enabling her to offer hands on guidance and strategic advice to portfolio companies.
While specific individual investments from Operator Collective are often pooled, Leyla Seka's influence extends to her board roles. She serves on the boards of high growth companies like Ironclad, a leading contract lifecycle management platform, and Snyk, a developer security platform. These roles underscore her continued engagement with cutting edge technology and her commitment to guiding companies towards success. Seka is also a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech, actively mentoring women and underrepresented founders. Her work at Operator Collective and beyond exemplifies her dedication to building a more inclusive and innovative future for the technology industry.
Leyla Seka is a distinguished Partner at Operator Collective, an angel fund and community focused on empowering women in tech. She is also a seasoned executive with a significant background at Salesforce, where she held leadership roles including EVP of Mobile and SVP of Trailhead.
Leyla Seka primarily invests in early stage B2B SaaS (Software as a Service) and enterprise software companies. Her focus areas include developer tools, cloud solutions, and technologies that address critical business challenges.
Leyla Seka works as a Partner at Operator Collective, an angel fund and community based in the technology sector. She also serves on the boards of several high growth tech companies, including Ironclad and Snyk.
