National Venture Capital AssociationBoard Member
May 2026 — Present
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Samara Hernandez is the Founding Partner of Chingona Ventures, a Chicago-based early-stage fund she started in 2019 that backs founders at the earliest stages. Chingona invests primarily at pre-seed in companies raising their first institutional round, with a focus on financial technology, future of work, future of learning and health technology. She serves on the board of the National Venture Capital Association, sits on the board of advisors of SomosVC and on the investment committee of Catalyze, and holds board seats at portfolio companies including Suma Wealth, Betterleave, Linker Finance, Optimal AI, Dapta and Beagle Labs.
Samara Hernandez is the Founding Partner of Chingona Ventures, a Chicago-based early-stage fund she started in 2019 that backs founders at the earliest stages. Chingona invests primarily at pre-seed in companies raising their first institutional round, with a focus on financial technology, future of work, future of learning and health technology. She serves on the board of the National Venture Capital Association, sits on the board of advisors of SomosVC and on the investment committee of Catalyze, and holds board seats at portfolio companies including Suma Wealth, Betterleave, Linker Finance, Optimal AI, Dapta and Beagle Labs.
Career
SomosVCMember of the Board of Advisors
Dec 2025 — Present
Beagle LabsBoard Member
Oct 2025 — Present
DaptaBoard Member
May 2025 — Present
Optimal AIBoard Member
Oct 2024 — Present
CatalyzeInvestment Committee
Sep 2024 — Present
Linker FinanceBoard Member
Jul 2024 — Present
Betterleave BereavementBoard Member
Jul 2023 — Present
Suma WealthBoard Member
Jul 2020 — Present
Chingona VenturesFounding Partner and Jefa
Apr 2019 — PresentChicago