The Grossman School of Business (Grossman School) will hold its academic celebration following the University Commencement Ceremony on May 19, 2024 to recognize graduates and confer diplomas for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. Nicole Maria Stata ’91, founder and general partner, Boston Seed Capital, will be the guest speaker for the celebration, which will take place at The Flynn starting at noon. Official conferral of all degrees will occur during the University Commencement Ceremony, which will begin at 9 a.m. on the University Green.

About Nicola Maria Stata

Nicole Stata, Class of '91
Nicole Maria Stata is the founder and general partner of Boston Seed Capital, an early-stage venture fund investing in Series Seed companies. Boston Seed has invested in more than 50 startups. In 2015, Stata was named a "Rising Star Venture Capitalist" by The New England Venture Capital Association, and in 2013, she was recognized as one of the top 25 most influential women in technology in Boston by VentureFizz.

Previously, Stata founded Deploy Solutions, an award-winning leading provider of SAAS human capital management. As CEO and president, she led Deploy for twelve years through its acquisition by Kronos. Deploy was widely recognized as a national best place to work and was the recipient of Deloitte and Touche’s Fast 50 award. Before Deploy, Stata managed the global service center for Restrac (Webhire) and began her career with Lotus Development Corporation.

Stata earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1991 from ̽̽ School of Business. She has served on the boards of multiple non-profits, including ̽̽ School of Business, Noble and Greenough School, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Boston Children’s Hospital. Stata was a guest speaker at the annual Dean's Leadership Speaker Series in 2019, and most recently in April 2024, she served as a judge for the inaugural Joy and Jerry Meyers Cup, a first-of-its-kind business launch competition in Vermont that awards $212,500 to an undergraduate student team each year for 10 years to help turn their business ideas into reality.

“We’re excited to have Nicole join us to address our Grossman School graduates at their commencement celebration,” said Grossman School Dean Sanjay Sharma. “Our students will learn much from her experience and impact in the venture capital community as they begin the next chapter in their professional careers."

Grossman School Academic Celebration

Those who are attending ̽̽’s Commencement Ceremony and Grossman School’s Academic Celebration are highly encouraged to plan ahead. Students are welcome and encouraged to attend both events. Tickets are required for the celebration. Be on the lookout for an email from the Grossman School of Business Center for Student Success with details.