Hubbry Logo
Jennifer FleissJennifer FleissMain
Open search
Jennifer Fleiss
Community hub
Jennifer Fleiss
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Jennifer Fleiss
Jennifer Fleiss
Jennifer Fleiss
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Jennifer Fleiss is an American businessperson and co-founder of Rent the Runway, a company focused on the renting of high-end clothing and accessories.[1]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Fleiss grew up in New York City. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Political Science in 2005.[2] She later attended Harvard Business School, where she met the future co-founder of Rent the Runway, Jennifer Hyman, and graduated with an MBA in 2009.[3]

Career

[edit]

Fleiss co-founded Rent the Runway with Jennifer Hyman in 2008.[4][5] She served as head of business development and as a member of the firm's Board of Directors. She assisted with company-wide infrastructure, project planning, and logistical decisions.[6]

Fleiss started her career crafting long-term company strategy in the Strategic Planning Group at Morgan Stanley.[7] She then moved on to Lehman Brothers’ Asset Management Group, where she was responsible for analyzing business growth opportunities through acquisitions, international expansion, and new product strategies.

In 2017, Fleiss left Rent the Runway to co-founded Jetblack, a text-based concierge shopping service, with Mark Lore, also the co-founder of Jet.com.[8]

In 2021, Fleiss joined Volition Capital.[9]

Awards and honors

[edit]

Fleiss has received various honors and recognitions, including Fortune’s “40 Under 40”[10] and “Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs”;[11] Forbes’s “Disruptors 2013”;[12] Inc.’s “30 Under 30”; Fast Company’s “Most Influential Women in Technology”;[13] Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” New York Area Regional finalist;[14] and Fashionista.com's “Most Influential People in New York Fashion.”[15]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jennifer Fleiss

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jennifer Fleiss is an American entrepreneur, investor, and business executive renowned for co-founding in 2009, a subscription-based service that pioneered the rental of and accessories, making high-end fashion more accessible and sustainable. Fleiss developed the concept alongside classmate during their time at , inspired by the high cost of a for a family event, leading to the launch of the company's website in November 2009 after securing early partnerships with designers like Diane von Furstenberg. As President and Head of Logistics at , she oversaw operations that scaled the business to over 1,000 employees, raised nearly $700 million in funding, and culminated in a 2021 valuing the company at $1.7 billion, where she transitioned to the board of directors. In 2017, Fleiss co-founded Jetblack, a technology-driven personal shopping platform, and served as its CEO; the subsidiary operated until 2020. Fleiss holds a B.A. in , earned cum laude from in 2005, and an M.B.A. from in 2009. She is an investor and advisor, serving as CEO of Roll Rider, which she co-founded in 2023, a family-oriented travel product company, and as an on multiple boards, including those of Group, , Arteza, and MelodyArc, while also co-founding Roll Rider.

Early life and education

Early life

Jennifer Fleiss, born Jennifer Alessandra Carter in September 1983, was raised in in a family deeply involved in commercial and residential . She attended the in . Her father, Jason Carter, built and managed his own company, creating opportunities from the ground up in the competitive New York market. This environment exposed her to the intricacies of business operations and problem-solving from a young age, fostering an early appreciation for . Fleiss's mother, Julia Vance Carter, also resided in New York, providing a stable family backdrop amid her father's professional endeavors. Growing up in the bustling urban setting of , Fleiss developed a hands-on interest in , often observing her father's projects and their impact on . These formative experiences instilled in her a geared toward innovation and self-reliance, shaping her future ventures.

Education

Fleiss graduated cum laude from in 2005 with a degree in . She then pursued graduate education at , enrolling in 2007 and earning her in 2009. During her time at HBS, Fleiss engaged actively in the school's burgeoning , which was gaining momentum among the Class of 2009. Notably, it was at HBS that she met her future co-founder, .

Career

Early career

Following her graduation from Yale University in 2005 with a B.A. in political science, Jennifer Fleiss began her professional career at in the firm's Strategic Planning Group. In this role, she focused on crafting long-term company strategies, including internal (M&A) as well as consulting on initiatives. Her work involved analyzing market opportunities and supporting executive decision-making to drive organizational growth, providing her with foundational experience in high-stakes financial environments. After approximately one year at , Fleiss transitioned in 2006 to a similar position in the Group at . There, she continued to engage in strategic advisory work, evaluating potential business expansions and acquisition targets to enhance the firm's and operations. This role deepened her involvement in the sector, where she contributed to cross-functional teams assessing competitive landscapes and financial viability of strategic moves. Through these early positions in , Fleiss honed critical skills in , , and M&A evaluation, which equipped her with a robust understanding of operations and market dynamics that would later influence her entrepreneurial pursuits. Following her time at , she pursued an M.B.A. at as a bridge to further opportunities.

Rent the Runway

Jennifer Fleiss co-founded in November 2009 alongside while both were students. The concept emerged from an observation during their studies: Hyman noticed her sister purchasing a costly designer dress for a one-time event, prompting discussions in a class project about disrupting the fashion industry through clothing rentals to make high-end styles more accessible. As President from 2009 to 2017, Fleiss oversaw day-to-day operations, scaling the platform from a nascent online rental service for designer dresses and accessories into a major player in the fashion rental market. Under her leadership, pioneered innovations such as the 2014 launch of its Unlimited subscription model, which allowed customers to rent multiple everyday clothing items on a monthly basis, shifting the business toward recurring revenue streams and broadening its appeal beyond special-occasion wear. She also guided enhancements, including partnerships with over 140 designer brands, to support growing demand. Key milestones during Fleiss's tenure included the 2009 public launch as an platform offering high-end fashion rentals at a fraction of retail prices, which quickly attracted millions of users and secured early venture funding. The company expanded into physical retail beginning in 2014 with its first standalone store in New York City's Flatiron district, followed by locations in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles, blending digital and in-person experiences to enhance . By 2017, Rent the Runway had achieved significant scale, setting the stage for its status with a $1 billion valuation in 2019 and eventual $1.7 billion IPO in 2021. In 2017, Fleiss transitioned from her role as President to focus on the company's , where she continued to influence strategic decisions while pursuing new ventures. This shift occurred as prepared for further growth, reflecting her foundational contributions to its operational framework and market position.

Jetblack and subsequent ventures

In 2017, Jennifer Fleiss co-founded Jetblack, a text-based AI-powered concierge shopping service, alongside , the founder of and then-head of Walmart's U.S. division. The venture emerged from Walmart's Store No. 8 innovation incubator, aiming to disrupt traditional by offering personalized shopping recommendations via messaging apps, leveraging to curate products based on user preferences and lifestyle data. Fleiss drew on her experience in digital commerce to lead the initiative, positioning Jetblack as a premium, on-demand service initially targeted at urban professionals in . As CEO of Jetblack, a Walmart subsidiary, Fleiss oversaw its operational scaling from through its launch in 2018, expanding the service to deliver curated goods like groceries, apparel, and household items within hours, often same-day. The platform integrated AI algorithms with human stylists to enhance personalization, serving a membership-based model that emphasized convenience and efficiency in high-density markets. Fleiss stepped down as CEO in 2019, amid Walmart's strategic review of the unit, which was later phased out in early 2020 as the company shifted focus to broader integrations. In December 2023, Fleiss launched Roll Rider, a family travel product company she co-founded with her three children—Daniella, Jake, and Julia—who served as , , and , respectively. Inspired by the challenges of family trips, the company developed a hybrid scooter-luggage carry-on designed specifically for children aged 3 to 12, featuring adjustable handlebars, light-up wheels, and compartments for essentials like water bottles and tablets to promote independence and reduce travel stress. The product, kid-tested and refined through family input, transforms navigation into an engaging activity, emphasizing durable, fun solutions for modern family mobility.

Investments and board roles

In late 2020, Jennifer Fleiss served as at from September to December, advising graduates on startups through the Rock Center for Entrepreneurship. Fleiss joined Volition Capital as its first Venture Partner in February 2021, where she focused on sourcing and investing in consumer technology companies while mentoring and incubating early-stage ventures until September 2023. She served as Partner at from November 2023 to October 2024, emphasizing seed-stage investments in enablement, consumer products, and . As of 2025, Fleiss serves as a , advisor, and in various companies, with a focus on consumer and technology sectors. Fleiss maintains ongoing board memberships at , where she has served since its founding; Yale Ventures, since March 2024; Group, as an independent director since 2022; , since 2019; and Arteza, since 2021. Beyond institutional roles, Fleiss has engaged in angel investing in early-stage companies, with a particular emphasis on sectors like , , and , drawing on her prior experience building digital platforms at Jetblack.

Awards and honors

Business awards

Jennifer Fleiss has received several business awards recognizing her entrepreneurial achievements, particularly in co-founding and scaling innovative ventures. In 2011, Fleiss and co-founder Jennifer Hyman were honored with the Fashion Group International (FGI) Rising Star Award in the Retail Innovation category for their work on , which disrupted traditional retail through clothing rental services. The following year, in 2012, Fleiss was named a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the New York region, acknowledging her leadership in building into a prominent fashion tech company. In 2013, Fleiss and Hyman received the Style Coalition's Fashion 2.0 Visionary Award for their innovations in fashion , highlighting Rent the Runway's role in advancing digital accessibility to designer apparel. Fleiss and Hyman shared the Club of New York (HBSCNY) Entrepreneurship Award in 2017, presented for their foundational contributions to Rent the Runway's growth as a leading subscription-based rental platform.

Media recognitions

Jennifer Fleiss has received several media recognitions highlighting her entrepreneurial impact in the fashion and retail sectors. In 2010, she was named to Inc. Magazine's "30 Under 30" list alongside co-founder for launching , which revolutionized access to through rental services. Fleiss's contributions earned her a spot on Fortune Magazine's "" list in 2012, recognizing her role in scaling into a major player in . She was also featured in Fortune's "Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs" list in 2011, underscoring her influence in business innovation. Forbes acknowledged Fleiss's disruption of traditional fashion retail in its 2013 Disruptors list, praising 's model for challenging conventional purchasing norms and empowering consumers with affordable luxury options. In 2019, Fleiss and Hyman were named among Inc. Magazine's Most Important Entrepreneurs of the for transforming how consumers access fashion via . Following her departure from in 2017 and her role as a partner at Volition Capital from to 2023, Fleiss continued to garner media profiles for her investment expertise and industry insights. A feature highlighted her as Volition's first female partner, emphasizing her operational experience from . In 2024, Fortune published an in-depth interview with Fleiss on cofounder dynamics and mental wellness in , reflecting her ongoing thought .

Personal life

Marriage and family

Jennifer Fleiss married Andrew Fleiss on June 20, 2009, at her mother's weekend home in , shortly after her graduation from . The couple has three children: daughters Daniella, born in December 2011, and Julia, born in September 2017, and son Jake. Fleiss and her family reside in , where she has navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship alongside parenting by relying on her husband's support for daily tasks like school pickups and playdates, while occasionally bringing her children to the office to blend work and family life. For instance, she co-founded the family travel product company Roll Rider with her three children in 2023.

Residence and interests

Jennifer Fleiss resides in with her husband and three children. In 2015, she and her husband listed their duplex loft at 421 Hudson Street for sale at $4.5 million, highlighting her long-standing ties to the neighborhood. Fleiss's personal interests center on family-oriented activities, particularly , which she has channeled into entrepreneurial pursuits. She co-founded Roll Rider in 2023, a company producing scooter luggage designed to make family trips more engaging for children by transforming airport navigation into an adventure. This venture stems from her own experiences traveling with her family, emphasizing fun and efficiency in otherwise stressful situations. Beyond family life, Fleiss is actively involved in initiatives supporting women's entrepreneurship. In 2015, she co-founded Project Entrepreneur in partnership with and , a philanthropic program offering education, mentorship, and venture competition opportunities to aspiring female founders. She also serves as co-founder of the RTR Foundation, which advises and supports female-led startups, reflecting her commitment to fostering opportunities for .

References

  1. https://www.renttherunway.com/about-us/story
  2. https://fortune.com/2024/07/16/rent-the-runway-jennifer-fleiss-why-cofounder-relationships-important-mental-wellness-brainstorm-tech/
  3. https://preludegrowth.com/team/jennifer-fleiss/
  4. https://ventures.yale.edu/jenny-fleiss
  5. https://www.crunchbase.com/person/jennifer-fleiss
  6. https://ir.lanvin-group.com/Board-of-Directors?item=6
  7. https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/RENT/company-people/executive-profile/69825970
  8. https://rollrider.com/pages/about-us
  9. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/investor/231926-23
  10. https://www.fastpeoplesearch.com/jennifer-fleiss_id_G-4676124941584448901
  11. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/fashion/weddings/21CARTER.html
  12. https://www.builtinnyc.com/articles/10-new-yorkers-who-grew-become-local-influencers-tech
  13. https://www.jwi.org/articles/the-lure-of-entrepreneurship
  14. https://www.hbs.edu/entrepreneurship/founders-investors
  15. https://www.hbs.edu/news/articles/Pages/entrepreneurship-soaring-to-new-heights.aspx
  16. https://www.businessbecause.com/news/notable-alumni/6907/harvard-business-school-notable-alumni
  17. https://fortune.com/2013/12/30/holiday-party-dress-central-how-we-started-rent-the-runway/
  18. https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/best-advice-i-ever-got-jennifer-fleiss.html
  19. https://www.forbes.com/sites/yec/2011/09/20/how-to-turn-your-idea-into-a-viable-business/
  20. https://startupguide.hbs.edu/expert-insight/watch-the-race-to-1-billion-how-rent-the-runway-became-a-unicorn/
  21. https://www.themuse.com/advice/what-weve-learned-a-qa-with-rent-the-runways-founders
  22. https://fortune.com/2014/07/16/rent-the-runway-unlimited-netflix-subscription-closet/
  23. https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/03/20/rent-the-runway-cofounder-fleiss-bows-out-as-company-preps-for-ipo/
  24. https://fashionista.com/2014/08/rent-the-runway-store-flatiron
  25. https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/05/the-story-behind-rent-the-runways-first-check/
  26. https://thehoya.com/business/rent-the-runway-opens-in-georgetown/
  27. https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/feature/rent-the-runway-sportswear-physical-stores-10117408/
  28. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21/business/rent-the-runway-unicorn.html
  29. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/lifestyle/article-10137527/Rent-Runway-goes-public-1-7-BILLION-valuation-CEO-Jennifer-Hymans-career-timeline.html
  30. https://renttherunway.gcs-web.com/board-member/jennifer-fleiss
  31. https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2019/oct/30/news-in-brief-20191030/
  32. https://www.uschamber.com/co/good-company/launch-pad/jetblack-jenny-fleiss
  33. https://www.retaildive.com/news/walmart-replaces-jenny-fleiss-as-head-of-jetblack/566163/
  34. https://dujour.com/life/roll-rider-jenny-fleiss/
  35. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-fleiss-18577314
  36. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccaszkutak/2021/02/11/rent-the-runway-cofounder-jenny-fleiss-joins-volition-capital-as-its-first-female-partner/
  37. https://www.axios.com/2023/12/07/initialized-capital-rent-the-runway-jennifer-fleiss
  38. https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/03/initialized-capital-restructures-and-lets-multiple-partners-go/
  39. https://shutterflyinc.com/directors/jennifer-fleiss/
  40. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210218005709/en/Arteza-Appoints-Rent-the-Runway-Co-Founder-and-Former-Jetblack-CEO-Jennifer-Fleiss-to-Board-of-Directors
  41. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harvard-business-school-club-of-new-york-pays-tribute-to-exemplary-business-and-philanthropic-leaders-leadership-dinner-fundraising-supports-activities-in-social-enterprise-entrepreneurship-scholarships-and-continuing-education-300460542.html
  42. https://www.racked.com/platform/amp/2011/1/27/7775395/rent-the-runway-wins-fgis-2011-rising-star-award-for-retail
  43. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ernst--young-announces-finalists-for-the-entrepreneur-of-the-year-2012-award-in-the-new-york-region-152323335.html
  44. https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/feature/and-the-winner-is-6845614-361158/
  45. https://www.inc.com/30under30/2010/profile-jennifer-hyman-jenny-fleiss-rent-the-runway.html
  46. https://fortune.com/ranking/40-under-40/2012/jennifer-hyman-jennifer-carter-fleiss/
  47. https://fortune.com/2011/09/13/fortunes-most-promising-women-entrepreneurs/
  48. https://www.forbes.com/special-report/2013/disruptors/jennifer-hyman_jennifer-fleiss.html?nowelcome
  49. https://www.inc.com/leigh-buchanan/most-influential-entrepreneurs-2010s.html
  50. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/business/nurturing-a-baby-and-a-start-up-business.html
  51. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-co-founder-rent-runway-205530345.html
  52. https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/jenny-fleiss/
  53. https://people.com/parents/how-i-parent-jennifer-fleiss-on-launching-rent-the-runway-and-jetblack-while-raising-3-kids/
  54. https://www.thecut.com/2019/10/how-i-get-it-done-rent-the-runway-co-founder-jenny-fleiss.html
  55. https://www.nydailynews.com/2015/05/04/rent-the-runway-co-founder-jennifer-fleiss-wants-45m-for-her-west-village-pad/
  56. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jennifer-fleiss-18577314_it-has-been-so-fun-continuing-the-entrepreneurship-activity-7193287306479382528-jb7q
  57. https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinavuleta/2018/05/16/for-rent-the-runway-and-ubs-building-a-pipeline-of-female-founders-is-a-long-term-commitment/
  58. https://www.dreamprojectonline.com/jennifer-fleiss/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.