Madison McIlwain

As seed partner at defy, I’m responsible for managing our seed portfolio alongside our team, actively sourcing new deals and helping our amazing entrepreneurs and companies grow.
As a former associate with defy, I know first-hand how defy supports growth.
I’m passionate about retail innovation, supply chain and consumer technology.
As a former product manager at Gap Inc., I worked alongside a team of over forty engineers to modernize our order management system and customer communication channels.
I drove numerous technology initiatives, enabling SMS communication for customers and launching our first website-wide chatbot.
During my time at Gap, I spoke at Dreamforce on the value of integrating thoughtful automation into the customer service experience.
Previously, I worked at Rent the Runway and an AI startup to create a shoppable virtual closet.
I look at business through an operations lens, with an aim to build differentiated product experiences.
I’m a firm believer that everyone deserves the opportunity to be in the room where it happens.
With this goal in mind, I co-host The Room Podcast with a Defy CEO to highlight unique founder and funder stories to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
I earned a B.A. in history from Dartmouth College with a minor in human-centered design from the engineering school.
I trust the process of applying human-factor psychology and engineering principles to iteratively design better products and experiences, and take this approach to finding and working with entrepreneurs.
A California transplant from Seattle, I love running in the sunshine, challenging the status quo with my podcast, and continuing the search for the perfect cup of tea.