Relevance Ventures adds Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin to board of directors

By Joel Stinnett, Nashville Business Journal

Nashville-based venture capital firm Relevance Ventures is adding one of the most wellknown family names in Music City to its leadership team.

Philanthropist and entrepreneur Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin has been appointed to Relevance’s board of directors, according to a news release.

Vanderbilt Costin is a seventh generation descendant of shipping and railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, who in 1873 provided $1 million to found Vanderbilt University. She is the founder of creative professional networking platform SoHoMuse and sits on the boards of the Vanderbilt Museum and the Ovarian Cancer Coalition of Greater California, according to the release.

“Consuelo shares our philosophy of investing in social health and wellness, as well as our love of Nashville, its heritage, and investing in its future,” Relevance Managing Partner Cameron Newton said in the release. “The Vanderbilt name is well known in Nashville and throughout the family wealth and investing circles, however Consuelo is far more than her family history. Her entrepreneurial instincts, philanthropic efforts, and network that shares our values and approach to impacting the well being of society, will greatly benefit our entire ecosystem.”

Relevance is one of the largest venture capital firms in Middle Tennessee, according to Nashville Business Journal research, with more than $115 million of assets under management.

The Native American-owned firm was founded by Cameron and Dean Newton and invests in consumer product, finance, food and beverage, mental health, pet ownership and sustainability companies, according to the release. Relevance his currently raising its fourth fund with a target size of $75 million.

“I’m drawn to Cameron and Dean’s dedication to helping advance businesses that are working to bring more harmony and well being to the world,” Vanderbilt Costin said in the release. “Relevance Ventures exudes the right mixture of financial wisdom, foresight and willingness to help companies realize their full potential and improve society.”