In today’s fast-evolving startup ecosystem, female entrepreneurs continue to face formidable barriers—not only in securing essential capital but also in gaining the visibility that drives growth and market traction. Enter Liana Zavo, a visionary strategist, seasoned PR consultant, and early-stage investor who is redefining how female-led tech startups attract funding and scale their impact. With the launch of ZavoVentures, the investment arm of her acclaimed PR agency ZavoMedia PR Group, headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, Zavo is pioneering a groundbreaking hybrid model that integrates venture capital with dedicated public relations support, setting a new standard in startup investment.
ZavoMedia PR Group is a globally recognized firm with a presence in 12 countries spanning Europe, Israel, and the UAE. Leveraging this expansive international footprint, Liana is particularly focused on tapping into the UAE’s booming startup market, which is rapidly becoming a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. She envisions bringing her unique blend of investment and PR expertise to support female founders in this dynamic region, helping them gain the visibility and capital necessary to thrive.
Liana’s journey to this point has been marked by resilience, determination, and a relentless drive to succeed. As a college dropout, she faced the challenge of proving her worth in a competitive market. “I never thought I wasn’t good enough,” she reflects candidly. “I knew that a diploma would not decide my future and had to work twice as hard to prove my worth.” This internal conviction fueled her commitment to excel, and through unwavering perseverance, consistent effort, and a refusal to give up, Liana carved out a successful career advising and supporting over 1,500 startups across high-impact sectors such as healthtech, legaltech, biotech, fintech, SaaS, and mediatech. Her hands-on approach often involves taking sweat equity positions in promising ventures, providing tailored PR strategies that amplify their brand narratives and secure investor confidence.
Her passion for innovation and growth is not confined to her current portfolio. As an avid traveler, Liana has set her sights on traveltech—a sector she believes is ripe for disruption and poised for tremendous expansion. She envisions leveraging her expertise and investment model to help female founders in traveltech navigate unique industry challenges and accelerate their growth.
Central to Liana’s mission is addressing the glaring funding disparity faced by female founders, who currently receive less than 2% of venture capital investments despite their burgeoning presence in the innovation economy. Recognizing that traditional funding and PR efforts often operate in silos, Liana sought to create a solution that bridges these disciplines. Through her PR agency, ZavoMedia PR Group, she established the investment arm ZavoVentures. This innovative hybrid model not only provides capital but also helps venture capital firms build authority and credibility. By supporting startups in their portfolios with strategic PR, ZavoVentures enhances their visibility and reputation, creating a powerful synergy between funding and communications.
ZavoVentures is backed by a committed fund and verified on OpenVC deploying investment checks to promising female-led startups. But beyond capital, what truly distinguishes ZavoVentures is its integrated approach. “While traditional funding models often overlook the critical role that narrative and visibility play in a startup’s success,” Liana explains, “at ZavoVentures, we bridge this divide by mastering the art of storytelling alongside smart capital deployment. This dual approach empowers female entrepreneurs to break through market noise, attract the right investors, and accelerate sustainable growth.”
Launching ZavoVentures was no small feat, especially as Liana managed it as a side hustle alongside her demanding roles. Not only does she helm this innovative investment venture, but she also serves as Board President of the Top Jewish People Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the gap between mentors and mentees. Her passion for nurturing the next generation of leaders fuels her tireless work ethic and commitment. “Time management is critical,” she says. “Juggling multiple responsibilities demands structure and commitment, but the impact makes it all worthwhile.”
The dual focus of ZavoVentures extends beyond startups to include venture capital firms themselves. By elevating their authority and credibility through ZavoMedia’s PR expertise, Liana creates an ecosystem where strategic communication and capital investment work hand in hand to drive success for all stakeholders involved.
Liana’s approach is already making waves. Her innovative model directly addresses one of the most persistent challenges in entrepreneurship: the broken pipeline from PR to funding. By offering an integrated solution, ZavoVentures significantly improves female founders’ chances of success, challenging the daunting statistic that nearly 90% of startups fail.
Industry leaders have taken note. Early partners laud ZavoVentures as a transformative force, combining moral imperative with sharp business acumen. “Investing in women is not just equitable; it’s a critical growth strategy,” remarked a leading venture partner. “ZavoVentures’ blend of capital and communications expertise creates a multiplier effect that fuels both financial and brand equity growth.”
As Liana marks this pivotal chapter in her career, her vision extends beyond financial returns. “We’re not merely investing in companies; we’re investing in a future where women lead with confidence, innovation, and undeniable impact,” she affirms. “Our mission is to rewrite the rules of startup funding and storytelling, creating a legacy of inclusion and excellence that will inspire generations to come.”
Her own journey—from a young woman battling self-doubt to a successful strategist and investor—fuels her determination to make a difference for others. She understands firsthand how challenging it can be to break into male-dominated industries and secure the respect and resources one deserves. This empathy drives her commitment to empower female founders not just financially, but holistically, through the power of story and strategic support.
Female founders poised to scale their ventures through strategic funding paired with expert storytelling are encouraged to join this dynamic movement. To engage with a community of forward-thinking entrepreneurs and industry professionals, sign up for the Zavo Connect Manhattan Chapter Startup Networking Group here: https://luma.com/h6x0hgbz
Through ZavoVentures, Liana Zavo is not only fulfilling a personal dream but reshaping the landscape for female-led tech startups—proving that when capital meets narrative, extraordinary success follows.
