ManchesterStory Fund Management announced that Nicole Gunderson has joined the Des Moines-based venture capital firm as a principal on its investment team. Gunderson most recently was managing director of the Global Insurance Accelerator in Des Moines, a position that she left earlier this year. “Nicole is an accomplished and dynamic leader in the InsurTech space, having led the Global Insurance Accelerator for the last four years and worked with dozens of InsurTech startups,” said Dave Miles, founding partner of ManchesterStory. “As a senior leader of our seven-member investment team, Nicole will elevate our investment process while further broadening our extensive insurance and technology network.” The creation of this new role coincides with the recent doubling of ManchesterStory’s committed capital through the launch of a second, early stage, insurtech-focused fund backed by 16 insurance carrier partners. Gunderson will be ManchesterStory’s first investment principal, said Matt Kinley, founding partner. “Nicole increases our technology and insurance expertise to the benefit of our portfolio companies, insurance company investors, and all limited partners.” Before joining the Global Insurance Accelerator, Gunderson spent seven years in corporate and investment banking with BMO Capital Markets, and five years with Des Moines fintech company Dwolla in multiple capacities, including vice president of sales and strategy. She has also been an angel investor since 2012. She completed MBA coursework at the Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania and has a degree in finance from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.