Our Team.
Wasabi Partners is an Atlanta-based strategic advisory and consulting firm founded by Zaria Smith and Ryan Jones to do one thing well: close the distance between the right founders and the right capital.
We came to this work through proximity to both sides of the table. We've sat with founders who had the traction, the team, and the vision — and still couldn't break through. We've watched investors deploy into crowded spaces while missing companies that deserved a look. The problem isn't effort. It's access architecture. Wasabi Partners is the access layer. We source, vet, and connect with the rigor investors expect and the relationship founders deserve.
Zaria Smith
Ryan Jones
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Zaria Smith is a Co-Founder of Wasabi Partners, where she works at the intersection of venture, go-to-market strategy, and founder infrastructure. Before entering venture, Zaria built her foundation in technology and go-to-market at Salesforce and Amazon Web Services (AWS), where she worked closely with startups and small and midsize businesses on growth, cloud adoption, customer acquisition, and strategic execution. Her work supporting the startup ecosystem at AWS earned her the AWS Startups Pathfinder Award and recognition in Forbes. Zaria later transitioned into venture, serving as a Program Director at Nex Cubed at Sway Capital, where she led national accelerator programs, supported founders from diverse backgrounds, and worked alongside the fund's General Partners on investment decisions and portfolio development. Zaria holds a B.A. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is a proud North Carolina native and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the latest in AI, listening to podcasts, attending art shows, and trying new experiences with friends.
Ryan Jones is a Co-Founder of Wasabi Partners, where she works at the intersection of go-to-market strategy, brand, and venture. Currently, Ryan builds brand and marketing programs that turn partner visibility into pipeline, driving enterprise sales across AI and cloud. She has served as a Fellow at High Street Equity Partners and is driven by a deep commitment to ensuring global majority founders have access to the capital and credibility they deserve. Prior to her work in tech and venture, Ryan spent time as a Business Analyst and Brand Strategist, where she built partnerships, drove program adoption, and translated data into commercial strategy. Ryan holds an MBA from Howard University School of Business and a Master of Public Health from Tulane University. She is a proud Maryland native and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting, baking for friends, and long walks with her rescue dog, Louisiana Jones.