ABOUT

Diane is an entrepreneur turned investor with experience in launching and founding Angel Funds, Investment Networks, and Venture Capital. As Founding Partner, she secured a Venture Capital fund partnership with the world's largest medical center. As the former Managing Director of the Rice Angel Network, Diane has expertise in operating funds. She is also the founder of national pitch competitions in 10+ cities with a focus on creating impact for diverse entrepreneurs. With a history of operating funds and portfolio companies, Diane founded venture capital funds for over 13+ universities. With extensive experience advising over 100+ companies and 30+ venture-backed investments, she serves as a mentor and investor to several nationally ranked top-tier accelerators. She is also a Co-Founder and Partner to accelerators including Curated Advisors. Diane is also an investment partner to Silicon Valley funds including the largest women’s fund and the nation’s first FemTech fund. Additionally, she is a US partner to a Korean government agency focusing on venture capital, acquisitions, and consulting early-stage companies.

Diane is a national speaker on Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship. Her topics include "101 for Investors", "Million Dollar Women", and "Pitch Perfect". Her publication has trended at #1 for Venture Capital on Crunchbase and has also been spotlighted on numerous media outlets including Startup Nation and Women 2.0. As an influencer, Diane serves on the official Forbes Business Council. As a trailblazer, she was chosen as the first published Venture Capital podcast for Greater Houston Partnership, Houston's largest Chamber of Commerce that serves over 11 counties. In her spare time, she also teaches about investing in ventures at academic institutions and angel networks. She serves on several Venture Capital and investment committees including the largest women's organization in Texas and is an advisor to Houston Diversity Fund.

Diane is a "40 under 40" Houston Business Journal Honoree. She is also a member of PEWIN, a global organization composed of the most senior female investment professionals. With a mission to empower and inspire Asian American women, Diane founded a national media platform Identity Unveiled(IU). IU is a national platform of Asian American women who have powerfully shattered barriers to revolutionize "firsts" in their industry. With her commitment and accomplishments in diversity leadership, she was honored with an official "Diane Yoo Day". She received her BA from Baylor University and MBA from Rice University.

Core Values

Resilience. Empathy. Legacy.

Building Resilience.

As a second generation Korean American and native Texan, my story started with modest means and immigrant parents. Sharing a one bedroom apartment with my brothers, my parents juggled 5 jobs at any time. My father achieved the American Dream and I witnessed the world of entrepreneurial resilience.

As a young child, entrepreneurship was a primary source of influence in my life. The most humbling trait was witnessed when landslide business losses were unwaveringly met with tenacity and grit. A constant rhythm of fearlessly paving forward, armed with persistence and grit, crafted a growth mindset and the foundation for success.

Leadership Development.

As a woman and diverse entrepreneur and investor, I get a close up view of access to capital and disparities in funding opportunities. If access to funding is a gateway to success, funding for diverse founders is obscurely constricted. My passions lie in creating effective change to propel the trajectory for women and diverse investors and entrepreneurs. I believe that investing in diverse talent is key to unlocking innovation, elevating underserved communities, and fostering long-term economic success.

As a venture capitalist, I uncover hundreds of promising deals and adeptly vet through deals with skilled expertise. With years of repetitive meetings with entrepreneurs, my respect for the entrepreneur and their craft has only deepened.

As an investor, I’ve developed an ability to distinctly identify founders with promising entrepreneurial DNA, steeped from years of industry experience. Impressions speak loudly. You quickly slice through the fluff. You know what you want. Being a venture capitalist has carved a sense of “gut instinct” to skillfully recognize high potential deals. As an entrepreneur, I empathize and understand the pain points of a startup founder. The investor life has forged deeper values than solely pushing financial returns. As a women and bi-cultural investor, my craft has evolved to creating meaningful connections with investors and entrepreneurs, choosing kindness, and identifying great opportunities.

The start of my entrepreneurial roots -- the grand opening of my dads very first business on American soil

Supporting other diverse trailblazers in the community.

Serving with my fellow Rice MBA colleagues to help with Hurricane Harvey victimes.