Aligning YOU with your purpose, your passion, and your wealth
The Wealthing Group
The Wealthing Group
Aligning YOU with your purpose, your passion, and your wealth
How It Started
How It Started
"I grew up thinking that I was either going to be rich or happy, and didn't like the idea that the only way to succeed, financially, was extracting value from others, or giving up on what I found meaningful. I couldn't find a system that worked for me, so I created it."
- Dr. Alicia Castillo Holley
Founder & CEO
Wealthing, LLC
"I grew up thinking that I was either going to be rich or happy, and didn't like the idea that the only way to succeed, financially, was extracting value from others, or giving up on what I found meaningful. I couldn't find a system that worked for me, so I created it."
- Dr. Alicia Castillo Holley
Founder & CEO
Wealthing, LLC
What We Offer
What We Offer
Our Founder
Our Founder
Alicia Castillo Holley,
PhD, MBA, MSci, Ag. Eng
PhD, MBA, MSci, Ag. Eng
Dr. Castillo Holley is a strategist at the intersection of science, technology, capital, and humanity. She navigates easily between investing, research, commercial applications, and socioeconomic progress, with a deep understanding of financial implications.
Alicia received her PhD. in Finance and Entrepreneurship studying Research Commercialization from the University of Western Australia and is a graduate from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also an MBA graduate from Babson College, holds a Master of Science in Seed and Biotech and an Agricultural Engineering degree from Universidad Central de Venezuela.
Dr. Castillo Holley was the founder of Chile’s first seed capital fund where she lived between 1996 and 2002. From 2014 to 2021, she was an active member of Sand Hill Angels, where the joined the board, co-lead the Life Science group, and led many investments. In 2019, she founded the Wealthing VC Club, a boutique investment club for accredited investors. She has invested in over 45 companies and has founded or co-founded over 15 companies and 5 non-profits. She lectures at Santa Clara University about entrepreneurial boards, and is a prolific trainer and writer.
Prior to an entrepreneurial and investing career, Dr. Castillo Holley was a researcher in plant genetics and later led the Product Development department at a Bayer-Shell joint venture. She was instrumental in the evaluation of the law of pesticides in her home country, Venezuela, and led Cobup - an industry wide initiative joined by all pesticide companies to improve the use of agrochemicals.
Alicia Castillo Holley, PhD, MBA,
MSci, Ag. Eng
MSci, Ag. Eng
Dr. Castillo Holley is a strategist at the intersection of science, technology, capital, and humanity. She navigates easily between research, commercial applications, and socioeconomic progress, with a deep understanding of financial implications.
An international expert in venture capital, angel investing and funding. She received her PhD. in Finance and Entrepreneurship studying Research Commercialization from the University of Western Australia and is a graduate from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also an MBA graduate from Babson College, holds a Master of Science in Seed and Biotech and an Engineering degree from Universidad Central de Venezuela.
Dr. Castillo Holley was the founder of Chile’s first seed capital fund where she lived between 1996 and 2002. She has invested in over 25 companies and has founded or co-founded over 15 companies and 3 non-profits.
Prior to an entrepreneurial and investing career, Dr. Castillo Holley was a researcher in plant genetics and later led the Product Development department at a Bayer-Shell joint venture.
Testimonials
"Alicia and the Wealthing VC Club team have proven themselves to be valuable trusted advisors to our fast-growing start up. Not only have they provided our team with helpful guidance but invaluable connections."
- Elizabeth Gazda (CEO) and Sam Shames (COO). Embr Labs.
(portfolio company of Wealthing VC Club)
"I have known Alicia Castillo Holley as a fellow angel investor and head of Wealthing for a number of years. As a syndication partner for Berkeley Angel Network (which I co-founded and have served as Co-President for 11 years), I have seen Alicia at work, both in reviewing new deals and in receiving syndication from Berkeley Angel Network.
Because of Alicia’s deep experience, she can
• Absorb lots of information quickly and set things in context;
• Perform intelligent & informed deal analysis at pace;
• Conduct in-depth yet respectful Q&A interactions with entrepreneurs;
• Provide meaningful feedback to entrepreneurs (whether she decides for or against – an important attribute to cultivate goodwill); and
• Syndicate broadly and effectively.
• Negotiate effectively: Alicia’s worldwide network allows her to be globally connected (with entrepreneurs and investors), so she stays current on deal terms and negotiates effectively on behalf of her investors.
Alicia’s life experience and travels have taken her to multiple continents, where she has sunk roots into the entrepreneurial eco-system, to discover and evaluate deals. She is also a fine human being who conducts herself with integrity and thoughtfulness. I am proud to count Alicia as a friend as well as a professional colleague."
- Cathy Chiu. Angel Investor. California
"Nanochon is pleased to have investors who are as thoughtful and passionate as we are. With the participation of the Wealthing VC Club in 2 of our rounds, we feel we are getting not just a check, but partners who are committed to our success and ready to do what they can to help us along the way."
- Ben Holmes. Founder, Nanochon.
(portfolio company of Wealthing VC Club)
"No company can succeed in isolation, and we rely heavily on our investors to help open doors when we need a boost. Alicia and team at Wealthing VC Club are always willing to jump in and help with introductions from their vast network whenever we ask, which is critical to helping us in our journey to making healthcare more accessible to kids."
- Arna Ionescu Stoll, CEO, WavelyDx. (portfolio company of Wealthing VC Club)
"Wealthing VC Club brings me well-vetted and interesting deals along with understandable analysis of each business. Conversation within the group is always illuminating and has provided tools for me to better judge a pitch."
- Kyler Laird, Member, Wealthing VC Club. Indiana, USA
"The diversity of industries and business stages provides members of the Wealthing VC Club with the ability to assemble a well balanced portfolio."
- Jonathan Wu, Advisor, Wealthing VC Club. California, USA.
"I have been an investor for years in the usual stocks, bonds, IRA’s…, but the types of investments I now have exposure to I never would have seen before joining the Wealthing VC Club Inc. Their access is something that the majority of investors never see. In the past, these types of deals have only been presented to the VCs and large Angel Groups.
I’ve learned so much from the group. We are international with members of all backgrounds. These compliment the conversations as we lend experience to the deal being considered. The dialogue is open and unintimidating. If you are interested in expanding your horizon in investing, join us."
- Theresa Strickland, Member, Wealthing VC Club. San Francisco, USA.
"Being a Wealthing VC Club member has opened my eyes and mind to the startup investment world. They say you learn by doing, and that is precisely what Wealthing VC Club does for its members. The ultra-quality deals presented, the customized training, our collegial and thoughtful discussions when evaluating a deal—all of those things have an empowering effect for those hungry to own their finances and to invest in world-changing innovations. Our club creates a perfect balance of a safe entry into the startup investment world, while immediately exposing you to the thought process and “lingo” of knowledgeable and well-respected luminaries. I now understand how to effectively evaluate a startup, from assessing an entrepreneur presentation to asking hard questions to help us arrive at sound decisions. In my dual path as an investor and entrepreneur, I am now comfortable sitting on both sides of the venture table."
- Neda Mansoorian, Co-Founder, CEO, Joon. Member, Wealthing VC Club. Silicon Valley, USA.
"I have known Dr. Castillo Holley now for over 10 years now and was an early investor in the company. She has pushed me to follow my dreams, do the work necessary to achieve, and strategize my business during the numerous challenges that pop up while starting an organization. She has been an amazing mentor that has coached me with tough love and compassion as well as being an amazing advisor to my team and company in general. Having Alicia on my side during the process of life as an entrepreneur has helped me to evolve into the man that I am today. Highly recommended!"
- Justin Woodward, CEO, Interabang Entertainment, Co-founder The MIX. San Francisco, USA.
"You bring a sense of the achievable to the world of entrepreneurship. Anyone interested in starting and developing a global business should seek you out."
- Tracey Hodgkins. CEO, Australian Experiential Learning Centre.
“I can’t thank you enough. For the first time, I can have a proper conversation with an investor, and talk about my valuation and deal terms clearly. I have never been able to do so before, no wonder I haven’t been able to close a deal in over a year.”
- Cristina Suarez, My Plaza. Spain.
"Alicia delighted Babson College with her speech on “Funding amazing firms”. Not only her spirit and motivation, but her knowledge in entrepreneurship was valuable for me and for the students."
- Enio Pinto. Program Manager. Inst. Latin American Business. Babson College. USA.
“This is the missing piece of the entrepreneurial puzzle, the perfect complement to Steve Blank and Eric Ries’ Startup books. It’s quite refreshing because quite often you read all about how someone was awesome and their ‘glory days’ type stories rather than ‘I made a mistake once, here’s what you can do to avoid it in case you’re making that same mistake too’. I would highly recommend her to anyone.”
- Angela Han, Marketing Titans. Australia.
"Alicia's training was fantastic. You can explain Venture Capital and Angel Investing like no other. We received many compliments about the structure, the format, the delivery and most importantly, your connection with the audience."
- Marcelo Rabba. El Círculo (Venture Capital Fund). Chile.
"We received a fantastic feedback from our students regarding the Wealthing Institute's training. It is time we can create wealth with our research."
- Dr. Paula Sanders. Dean Postdoctoral Studies. Rice University. USA.
“Alicia asked me questions and mentored me along the way to help me understand where my story was strong and where it needed improvements so I could adjust my application and pitch accordingly.”
- Marwa Nur Muhammad, Co-founder, Trance. California.
"About the Women Get Funded Program, “Great course to learn about the different level of financing a business.”
- Brenda Sullivan, Thompson Street Farm LLC. Co, USA.
"I got my first wow at the start of the program. “How to think” has given me the most awesome self-reflection points to implement not only in my business, but in my personal life.”
- Monika Siriah, Vedglobals. India.
"Your topics inspired me a lot and provoked me to know more.”
- Sadia Abdul Qadeer (Lecturer), Effat University, Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia.
- Elizabeth Gazda (CEO) and Sam Shames (COO). Embr Labs.
(portfolio company of Wealthing VC Club)
"I have known Alicia Castillo Holley as a fellow angel investor and head of Wealthing for a number of years. As a syndication partner for Berkeley Angel Network (which I co-founded and have served as Co-President for 11 years), I have seen Alicia at work, both in reviewing new deals and in receiving syndication from Berkeley Angel Network.
Because of Alicia’s deep experience, she can
• Absorb lots of information quickly and set things in context;
• Perform intelligent & informed deal analysis at pace;
• Conduct in-depth yet respectful Q&A interactions with entrepreneurs;
• Provide meaningful feedback to entrepreneurs (whether she decides for or against – an important attribute to cultivate goodwill); and
• Syndicate broadly and effectively.
• Negotiate effectively: Alicia’s worldwide network allows her to be globally connected (with entrepreneurs and investors), so she stays current on deal terms and negotiates effectively on behalf of her investors.
Alicia’s life experience and travels have taken her to multiple continents, where she has sunk roots into the entrepreneurial eco-system, to discover and evaluate deals. She is also a fine human being who conducts herself with integrity and thoughtfulness. I am proud to count Alicia as a friend as well as a professional colleague."
- Cathy Chiu. Angel Investor. California
"Nanochon is pleased to have investors who are as thoughtful and passionate as we are. With the participation of the Wealthing VC Club in 2 of our rounds, we feel we are getting not just a check, but partners who are committed to our success and ready to do what they can to help us along the way."
- Ben Holmes. Founder, Nanochon.
(portfolio company of Wealthing VC Club)
"No company can succeed in isolation, and we rely heavily on our investors to help open doors when we need a boost. Alicia and team at Wealthing VC Club are always willing to jump in and help with introductions from their vast network whenever we ask, which is critical to helping us in our journey to making healthcare more accessible to kids."
- Arna Ionescu Stoll, CEO, WavelyDx. (portfolio company of Wealthing VC Club)
"Wealthing VC Club brings me well-vetted and interesting deals along with understandable analysis of each business. Conversation within the group is always illuminating and has provided tools for me to better judge a pitch."
- Kyler Laird, Member, Wealthing VC Club. Indiana, USA
"The diversity of industries and business stages provides members of the Wealthing VC Club with the ability to assemble a well balanced portfolio."
- Jonathan Wu, Advisor, Wealthing VC Club. California, USA.
"I have been an investor for years in the usual stocks, bonds, IRA’s…, but the types of investments I now have exposure to I never would have seen before joining the Wealthing VC Club Inc. Their access is something that the majority of investors never see. In the past, these types of deals have only been presented to the VCs and large Angel Groups.
I’ve learned so much from the group. We are international with members of all backgrounds. These compliment the conversations as we lend experience to the deal being considered. The dialogue is open and unintimidating. If you are interested in expanding your horizon in investing, join us."
- Theresa Strickland, Member, Wealthing VC Club. San Francisco, USA.
"Being a Wealthing VC Club member has opened my eyes and mind to the startup investment world. They say you learn by doing, and that is precisely what Wealthing VC Club does for its members. The ultra-quality deals presented, the customized training, our collegial and thoughtful discussions when evaluating a deal—all of those things have an empowering effect for those hungry to own their finances and to invest in world-changing innovations. Our club creates a perfect balance of a safe entry into the startup investment world, while immediately exposing you to the thought process and “lingo” of knowledgeable and well-respected luminaries. I now understand how to effectively evaluate a startup, from assessing an entrepreneur presentation to asking hard questions to help us arrive at sound decisions. In my dual path as an investor and entrepreneur, I am now comfortable sitting on both sides of the venture table."
- Neda Mansoorian, Co-Founder, CEO, Joon. Member, Wealthing VC Club. Silicon Valley, USA.
"I have known Dr. Castillo Holley now for over 10 years now and was an early investor in the company. She has pushed me to follow my dreams, do the work necessary to achieve, and strategize my business during the numerous challenges that pop up while starting an organization. She has been an amazing mentor that has coached me with tough love and compassion as well as being an amazing advisor to my team and company in general. Having Alicia on my side during the process of life as an entrepreneur has helped me to evolve into the man that I am today. Highly recommended!"
- Justin Woodward, CEO, Interabang Entertainment, Co-founder The MIX. San Francisco, USA.
"You bring a sense of the achievable to the world of entrepreneurship. Anyone interested in starting and developing a global business should seek you out."
- Tracey Hodgkins. CEO, Australian Experiential Learning Centre.
“I can’t thank you enough. For the first time, I can have a proper conversation with an investor, and talk about my valuation and deal terms clearly. I have never been able to do so before, no wonder I haven’t been able to close a deal in over a year.”
- Cristina Suarez, My Plaza. Spain.
"Alicia delighted Babson College with her speech on “Funding amazing firms”. Not only her spirit and motivation, but her knowledge in entrepreneurship was valuable for me and for the students."
- Enio Pinto. Program Manager. Inst. Latin American Business. Babson College. USA.
“This is the missing piece of the entrepreneurial puzzle, the perfect complement to Steve Blank and Eric Ries’ Startup books. It’s quite refreshing because quite often you read all about how someone was awesome and their ‘glory days’ type stories rather than ‘I made a mistake once, here’s what you can do to avoid it in case you’re making that same mistake too’. I would highly recommend her to anyone.”
- Angela Han, Marketing Titans. Australia.
"Alicia's training was fantastic. You can explain Venture Capital and Angel Investing like no other. We received many compliments about the structure, the format, the delivery and most importantly, your connection with the audience."
- Marcelo Rabba. El Círculo (Venture Capital Fund). Chile.
"We received a fantastic feedback from our students regarding the Wealthing Institute's training. It is time we can create wealth with our research."
- Dr. Paula Sanders. Dean Postdoctoral Studies. Rice University. USA.
“Alicia asked me questions and mentored me along the way to help me understand where my story was strong and where it needed improvements so I could adjust my application and pitch accordingly.”
- Marwa Nur Muhammad, Co-founder, Trance. California.
"About the Women Get Funded Program, “Great course to learn about the different level of financing a business.”
- Brenda Sullivan, Thompson Street Farm LLC. Co, USA.
"I got my first wow at the start of the program. “How to think” has given me the most awesome self-reflection points to implement not only in my business, but in my personal life.”
- Monika Siriah, Vedglobals. India.
"Your topics inspired me a lot and provoked me to know more.”
- Sadia Abdul Qadeer (Lecturer), Effat University, Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia.
© 2023 Alicia Castillo Holley
All rights reserved
© 2023 Alicia Castillo Holley
All rights reserved