Chuck Newhall, Diana Frazier and Jeff Fagnan Recognized for Service and Commitment to Venture and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) today honored three leaders of the venture capital industry with awards for their significant contributions to advance innovation, strengthen the industry and promote entrepreneurship.  At the Second Annual NVCA Leadership Gala & Summit held in San Francisco today, NVCA presented the Lifetime Achievement in Venture Capital Award to Chuck Newhall, Co-Founder and Retired General Partner of New Enterprise Associates (NEA), the Outstanding Service Award to Diana Frazier, Co-Founder of FLAG Capital, and the American Spirit Award to Jeff Fagnan, Founder and General Partner of Accomplice Ventures.

“There is perhaps nobody more deserving of the Lifetime Achievement in Venture Capital Award than Chuck Newhall,” said Bobby Franklin, President and CEO of NVCA, of Newhall receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.  “As the co-founder of NEA, Chuck was instrumental in developing NEA’s collaborative, entrepreneur-focused culture that has helped it to become one of the most successful and well recognized venture firms in the world.  A mentor and role model to future leaders of the industry, Chuck has cemented himself as a titan of venture capital and established a legacy that will stand the test of time.”

“A trail-blazer throughout her career, Diana Frazier was the very first limited partner to sit on the NVCA Board of Directors, dedicating a tremendous amount of personal time and energy to supporting our industry’s trade association,” said Franklin of Frazier receiving the Outstanding Service Award.  “Through her two, four-year terms on the NVCA Board of Directors, Diana played an active role in guiding NVCA to the strong position we find the organization today. A thoughtful and respected leader, Diana’s influence on NVCA and the broader industry will be felt for decades to come.”

“Co-founder of Technology Underwriting Greater Good (TUGG), Jeff Fagnan is another example of the spirit of generosity that is synonymous with the venture community,” said Franklin of Fagnan receiving the American Spirit Award.  “What makes TUGG so powerful is the engagement it facilitates between for profit and not for profit entrepreneurs, startups and service providers to the New England ecosystem.  TUGG has galvanized the region and given New England startups an opportunity to give back in both words and deeds.”

About the Awards

Lifetime Achievement in Venture Capital Award

The Lifetime Achievement in Venture Capital Award was established in 1998 to recognize venture professionals who have dedicated their professional lives to creating and building successful and highly competitive venture firms as well as portfolio companies that have made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the U.S. economy.  Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award were instrumental in the formation and growth of the venture capital industry and have consistently set high performance standards for the entire industry.

Previous recipients: Mike Moritz, Mark Heesen, Arthur Rock, Sam Colella, Felda Hardymon, James Blair, Brook Byers, Jean Deleage, Anthony Evnin, Grant Heidrich, Jim Swartz, Bill Hambrecht, Sandy Robertson, Thomas Weisel, Edward Glassmeyer, Peter Crisp, Henry McCance, Paul Wythes, Lionel Pincus, Pitch Johnson, Richard Kramlich, Stanley Golder, Burton McMurtry, Reid Dennis, Peter Brooke, Thomas Perkins, Stanley Golder and David Morgenthaler.

Outstanding Service Award

The Outstanding Service Award was established in 1999 to recognize the exceptional service of an NVCA Director or NVCA member who has committed an extraordinary amount of time, resources and dedication to Association efforts that in turn benefits the entire venture industry.  The dedication has raised the visibility of the industry to key legislators and regulators and helped to educate them regarding the pivotal role of venture capital to this economy.

Previous recipients: Josh Green, Kate Mitchell, Steve Frederick, Ted Schlein, Warburg Pincus, Jack Lasersohn, Sarah Reed, John Martinson, Robert Pavey, Rodney Goldstein, E. Roe Stamps, M. Kathleen Behrens, Steven Lazarus, Harry T. Rein, Patricia Cloherty, John Doerr and Christopher Brody.

American Spirit Award

The American Spirit Award was created in 1999 to recognize NVCA members who have shown philanthropic leadership by applying business skills, knowledge, expertise and resources to make an outstanding contribution to the society.

Previous recipients: Robin Richards Donohoe, William Sahlman, Peter Bancroft, Chuck Newhall, Joe Aragona, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, John Doerr, Alan Patricof, William Bowes, Peter Wendell, Floyd Kvamme, William Draper III, Martin Koldyke and Gib Myers.