30 Facts About Sydney Thomas

Early Life and Education

Sydney Thomas has a rich background that has shaped her into the multifaceted individual she is today.

1. Sydney graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
2. She later earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, Berkeley.

Theater and Performing Arts

Sydney's passion for the arts began early and has been a significant part of her life.

3. She has been involved in theater, singing, and dance for many years in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
4. Sydney is best known for her role as Sydney Ashdown in the TV series "Up on High Ground" (2014).
5. She has participated in several musical theater productions, including "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Les Miserables" with Young People's Theatre.
6. Sydney also performed in "Honk Jr." at COCA.
7. Along with acting, she has had extensive dance and vocal training for over five years.
8. Sydney aspires to one day perform on Broadway and in several films.
9. Her first film role was in 2013 as Persephone, the wife of Hades, in "Hercules: The Brave and the Bold."
10. In the summer of 2013, she was cast in the role of Sydney Ashdown for the TV pilot "Up on High Ground."

Venture Capital and Impact Investing

Sydney's career in venture capital is marked by her commitment to social impact and innovation.

11. She is the Founder and General Partner of Symphonic Capital, a venture capital firm.
12. Symphonic Capital invests in companies making life better for the 99%.
13. Sydney has focused on this investment thesis for the past six years.
14. Through Symphonic Capital, she has created a distributed network invested in companies that aim to positively impact society.
15. She founded a podcast where she profiles these companies.
16. Sydney launched a newsletter about these impactful companies.
17. She hosts events to bring together people who care about their impact.

Diversity in Tech Initiatives

Sydney is actively involved in initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in the tech industry.

18. She participates in several extracurricular activities to level the playing field in tech.
19. Sydney is on the strategy committee of BLCK VC.
20. She serves on the Board of Colorwave.
21. Sydney is on the Advisory Board of Invanti, a startup generator in the Midwest.

Awards and Recognition

Sydney's work has not gone unnoticed, earning her several accolades.

22. She received the "Black VC’s Making an Impact" designation.
23. Sydney was featured in Marie Claire.
24. She received the Champion of Justice Award from Esq. Apprentice in 2020.

Community Involvement

Sydney is deeply committed to her community in Oakland.

25. She was appointed by the Mayor to serve as a Commissioner for the City of Oakland’s Public Safety and Services Commission.

Precursor Ventures

Sydney's role at Precursor Ventures showcases her ability to grow and innovate within the venture capital space.

26. She joined Precursor almost six years ago and built the software and systems that grew the firm from a solo operating general partner with 10 investments to a three-person team with over 200 investments.
27. Sydney grew from associate to principal and now works there part-time as a venture partner.

Tech Startup Experience

Before her venture capital career, Sydney gained valuable experience in the tech startup world.

28. She worked in technology startups in business development and product marketing.
29. Sydney has done everything from writing federal SBIR grants to managing customer success teams.

Bloomberg Administration Experience

Sydney's early career included significant achievements in the Bloomberg Administration in NYC.

30. She drafted federal legislation, negotiated a multi-million-dollar contract, and received a full-ride scholarship to her business school of choice.

Sydney Thomas: A Multifaceted Trailblazer

Sydney Thomas is a powerhouse of talent and ambition. From her early days in theater and musical theater to her current roles in venture capital and social impact, she’s shown a knack for excellence. Her work with Symphonic Capital and Precursor Ventures highlights her dedication to making life better for the 99%. Sydney’s also a fashion influencer with a massive following on TikTok and Instagram, where she shares her unique style and personality.

Her involvement in diversity initiatives and community service in Oakland further underscores her commitment to positive change. Sydney’s journey is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and drive. Whether she’s performing on stage, investing in impactful startups, or engaging with her online community, Sydney Thomas continues to inspire and lead by example. Her future looks bright, filled with even more achievements and contributions to society.