TT Talk: Investing in Innovation – Perspectives of a Venture Capitalist
Talk: Investing in Innovation – Perspectives of a Venture Capitalist
Orador/Speaker: Monica Dodi
Dia/Day: 28-02-2012
Hora/Time: 10:00 – 11:00
Sala/Room: Anfiteatro do Complexo Interdisciplinar
Critical to all new ventures, capital is the fuel for growth. What do angel investors and venture capitalists look for when making their investment decisions? While most new companies require unique approaches to build revenues and market share, they share certain key success factors that help reduce investors' risks. As a successful entrepreneur, Ms. Dodi will discuss the key criteria that venture capitalists require to make that important investment decision, such as defensible intellectual property, unique value proposition and business model and viable exits. In addition, she will explore why gender diversity increases innovation, productivity and return on investment.
Currently Managing Director of The Women's Venture Capital Fund, Monica has over 20 years experience as a new media pioneer.
After graduating from Georgetown, she was one of the founders of a new technology company focused on military and government databases which was subsequently sold to a Dutch conglomerate. Inspired by the fast pace of entrepreneurship and innovation, Monica went on to earn her MBA at Harvard Business School in order to further refine her knowledge of building brands and creating sustainable businesses.
Monica joined MTV Europe in London as one of three founders and negotiated major satellite, cable and advertising sales agreements, built the regional offices across 16 countries, and created innovative marketing campaigns, thereby making MTV the fastest growing TV channel in Europe and profitable within 18 months.
She then joined Walt Disney/Europe in Paris to turnaround their Consumer Products business as head of European Licensing, negotiated major multinational licensing deals across a wide array of product sectors, and created new revenue streams for classic and newly released brands. Seeing an opportunity in creating a business in paper products with a Disney license, she launched CD Productions which was acquired by American Greetings.
Returning to the US to help Warner Bros launch television channels worldwide, she was recruited by Brandon Tartikoff as CEO to launch AOL's Entertainment Asylum which became the fastest growing entertainment destination on the Web and hit profitability in less than a year with over 4 million visitors per day.
Subsequently, Monica worked with Softbank VC in their investment strategies, deal flow and due diligence in the convergence of new media. Softbank also invested in her company, oediv.com, an early precursor to YouTube.
Always on the cutting edge of the new media landscape, Monica has since been working with new ventures in virtual worlds, music technologies and social media as an advisor and angel investor. She is often asked to speak a various conferences about the importance of gender diversity in increasing innovation, productivity and profitability.
Career Services, Entrepreneurship, IST SPIN-OFF