Kerry Washington, the renowned actress, has expanded her angel investment portfolio by leading the pre-seed round in Cheersy, a wedding marketplace that connects couples with day-of service wedding coordinators. Founded by Amy Shack Egan in 2024, Cheersy has raised a total of $550,000 in funding, with other investors including Christina Tosi, Jennifer Gilbert, and Joanna Rosholm.

Washington's investment in Cheersy marks her latest foray into the world of startups, where she is making a name for herself alongside other Hollywood titans. Her involvement in the company came about through a chance meeting with Shack Egan at a dinner party in Los Angeles, where Shack Egan struck up a conversation with Washington's director of social impact.

Shack Egan, who also founded the wedding planning business Modern Rebel in 2015, created Cheersy to address the high demand for day-of wedding coordination services. The platform allows couples to search for vetted matches that fit their budget, vision, and vibe, and then book a call to ensure a fit before hiring the talent. Shack Egan's experience in the wedding industry, including her own struggles as an event freelancer, has driven her vision for Cheersy, which aims to make the experience of working in the wedding industry more supported and enjoyable.

Washington's investment in Cheersy is part of her growing portfolio, which includes investments in the social website Spill, the eating disorder treatment startup Equip, and the charity fundraising platform Omaze, among others. Her involvement in the startup world is a testament to the growing trend of Hollywood stars turning to angel investing as a way to diversify their portfolios and support innovative ideas.

For Shack Egan, securing funding for Cheersy was a challenging experience, particularly as a small business owner without a Big Tech background. However, she credits the Power to Pitch program with helping her connect with more people in the startup world and ultimately securing the funding she needed. With this fresh capital, Cheersy plans to enhance its booking platform, make strategic hires, and expand into six new cities in the coming months.

The investment in Cheersy highlights the growing importance of angel investors in the startup ecosystem, particularly for female founders who may face additional barriers to securing funding. As the startup world continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Washington's involvement in Cheersy and other startups contributes to the growth of innovative ideas and companies.