Hi, I'm Katie
Execution, expertise and problem-solving have defined my journey as a founder, venture capital investor, and operator. I know what it takes to move from idea to execution. Known for my business creativity and ability to spot connections other might not yet see, I've always been drawn to what's next — anticipating trends before they take shape. Welcome to Material Ventures, a Jobs-to-Be-Done Concierge and Talent Agency designed for today.
Katie Palencsar is an investor, advisor, and thought leader in early-stage company building, growth, and venture investing. As founder of Material Ventures Group, she works with companies on launch strategies, client acquisition, and navigating early exit opportunities.
She was previously an Investment Partner at global fintech venture capital firm and asset manager, Anthemis Group ($1.2B AUM), where she also was Head of Venture Studio and led the Female Innovators Lab Fund. Since launching the fund at the end of 2019, Katie led its global expansion and AUM growth with investment by Barclays, Aviva, Visa and BMO, investing across North America, UK and Europe, making it the largest fund at $50 million, focused on female founders in fintech.
Through her work in launching new ventures, she is the co-owner and advisor of Generation Guest Group, a global hospitality and travel management company. In just 5 months, the business acquired 6 and 7 figure GMV clients, marquee partnerships and is handling all things travel for 100+ clients including corporate accounts, VC/PE, tech companies, PR firms, entertainment tours, production companies, celebrities, HNW and many more.
Previously, she founded and led data SaaS company, Unbound Concepts from ideation to exit. The company’s data services were used by global distributors as well as privately owned and publicly traded publishers in addition to providing free software tools to over 40,000+ educators. Upon acquisition by Certica Solutions, she served on the executive team leading Solutioning, collaborating with key clients on both enhanced product integrations and new product offerings. Certica Solutions was acquired by Instructure, one of the largest global Learning Management Systems.
Katie was named American Banker’s Most Influential Women in Fintech in 2023 and is the recipient of the 99u General Electric Emerging Innovators Award, Drexel University Alumni Educator of the Year Award, SmartCEO’s Voltage Award, Women in Fintech Powerlist and a USPTO patent recipient for Performing Dynamic Textual Complexity Using Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Crunchbase and The Wall Street Journal.
An enthusiastic New Yorker and a trained dancer with a deep appreciation for the arts, you can often find her immersed in the theater, dance, and music scenes across the city.
She was previously an Investment Partner at global fintech venture capital firm and asset manager, Anthemis Group ($1.2B AUM), where she also was Head of Venture Studio and led the Female Innovators Lab Fund. Since launching the fund at the end of 2019, Katie led its global expansion and AUM growth with investment by Barclays, Aviva, Visa and BMO, investing across North America, UK and Europe, making it the largest fund at $50 million, focused on female founders in fintech.
Through her work in launching new ventures, she is the co-owner and advisor of Generation Guest Group, a global hospitality and travel management company. In just 5 months, the business acquired 6 and 7 figure GMV clients, marquee partnerships and is handling all things travel for 100+ clients including corporate accounts, VC/PE, tech companies, PR firms, entertainment tours, production companies, celebrities, HNW and many more.
Previously, she founded and led data SaaS company, Unbound Concepts from ideation to exit. The company’s data services were used by global distributors as well as privately owned and publicly traded publishers in addition to providing free software tools to over 40,000+ educators. Upon acquisition by Certica Solutions, she served on the executive team leading Solutioning, collaborating with key clients on both enhanced product integrations and new product offerings. Certica Solutions was acquired by Instructure, one of the largest global Learning Management Systems.
Katie was named American Banker’s Most Influential Women in Fintech in 2023 and is the recipient of the 99u General Electric Emerging Innovators Award, Drexel University Alumni Educator of the Year Award, SmartCEO’s Voltage Award, Women in Fintech Powerlist and a USPTO patent recipient for Performing Dynamic Textual Complexity Using Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Crunchbase and The Wall Street Journal.
An enthusiastic New Yorker and a trained dancer with a deep appreciation for the arts, you can often find her immersed in the theater, dance, and music scenes across the city.
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MY MISSION
To empower visionary founders to bring their ideas to life and build sustainable, impactful businesses
Awards
IN THE MEDIA
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Speaking
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Select Investments
VC Investments
*as Partner, Anthemis & FIL Fund
Personal Investments
Launched
Incubation
“She understands that all the talk in the world must lead to ACTION, and that taking action requires decisive leadership.”
"Katie 'gets it.' In an industry that changes so rapidly, Katie has the ability to stay focused on her end goals while leveraging the changing market dynamics to her advantage. She understands that all the talk in the world - while crucial to success - must lead to action, and that taking action requires decisive leadership. As a leader and an innovator, Katie excels and thrives under pressure."