Kendra Schultz Is Redefining Venture Capital as Hands-On Partnership

Kendra Schultz is part of a growing group of investors who believe venture capital doesn’t stop at funding—it extends deep into building alongside founders. As a principal at Benchstrength, she takes a highly involved approach, working closely with startups to help them scale from the inside.

One of the clearest examples of this is her work with Alta, an AI-powered stylist and shopping app. Schultz didn’t just invest—she embedded herself within the company, supporting founder Jenny Wang during the early stages of growth. Her contributions ranged from helping hire a chief of staff to shaping early operational decisions.

What makes this partnership even more notable is that Schultz had built a relationship with the founder before the company even existed. Recognising Wang’s potential early on, she stayed close and committed to backing her when the time came.

Before joining Benchstrength in 2023, Schultz earned her MBA from Harvard Business School and worked at Google, where she focused on responsible innovation and people operations. That experience now informs her ability to support founders not just strategically, but also culturally and organisationally.

Beyond Alta, she has also contributed to investments in companies like Orphic, a procurement intelligence platform, and Lanai, an AI observability startup.

Schultz’s approach reflects a broader shift in venture capital—where investors are expected to be active collaborators, helping founders navigate hiring, operations and growth challenges in real time.

Because today, the most valuable investors aren’t just those who write checks—but those who roll up their sleeves and help build what comes next.