Dahlia VC is a venture firm investing in the future of the American economy through the lens of demographic and structural transformation. We back early-stage b2b saas and marketplace companies at the intersection of population shifts and system redesign—where the labor force, capital infrastructure, and digital ecosystems are evolving in real time.

Demographic Shifts Are Economic Signals

At Dahlia, we believe that population trends don’t just reflect economic change—they drive it. From the rise of underserved markets to the changing nature of work, we follow the underlying demographic forces shaping long-term growth and returns.

Our five investment themes:

Workforce transformation – platforms for upskilling, mobility, and talent markets
SMB and capital access – fintech and business tools scaling with middle-market demand
Healthcare modernization – decentralized, tech-enabled models of care
Climate systems and infrastructure – investing in digital and physical resiliency
Data infrastructure and analytics – applying computing power to foundational industries

From Strategy to Platform: The TDF Partnership

Dahlia’s thesis has now been scaled through a first-of-its-kind public-private platform: the Houston Technology Development Fund (TDF). In 2025, Dahlia originated and co-designed the TDF alongside Houston’s political and corporate leaders, structuring it as a $500M hybrid fund to invest in infrastructure, applied technology, and institutional-scale growth.

Dahlia leads the Fund’s strategy and operations in its build phase, with the long-term leadership team anchored by:

Veronica Juarez, Dahlia’s Managing Partner, a civic-connected tech executive and former VP at Lyft
Kennie Blanco, Senior Advisor to Dahlia and veteran institutional investor with deep Houston roots

Leadership with Reach

Veronica Juarez, Managing Partner
Veronica brings two decades of experience in tech, government, and philanthropy. As VP of Social Enterprise at Lyft, she built its public policy arm and $1B enterprise business. Earlier, she spent a decade in federal, state, and local government, building the networks now critical to TDF’s civic integration. She serves on boards at Stanford University and Phillips Exeter Academy, and leads the Juarez Family Foundation.

Kennie Blanco, Senior Advisor & TDF Managing Partner
A native Houstonian and former BlackRock Portfolio Manager, Kennie has managed over $15B in institutional capital and launched multiple investment funds. He brings fiduciary rigor and operational discipline to the TDF, ensuring every investment aligns with Houston’s long-term economic vision.

dahl·ia

The dahlia is a resilient and versatile flower, symbolizing commitment and dedication, known to withstand conditions most flowers cannot. Cherished by Aztecs for medicinal uses, adopted by Europeans in place of insulin, and immortalized by Monet in art, this edible bloom is Mexico's national flower and has inspired people across continents, cultures, and generations.

And these are the founders we are looking for - those whose resilience, determination, and commitment enable their success, and their companies’ scale.

Why Dahlia?