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Jamie Kantrowitz, Managing Director at MESA Global, a boutique advisory specializing in digital media and entertainment, is also a Venture Partner at its seed fund Mesa+.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
I joined this past January to launch the West Coast digital media practice. Mesa+ launched in 2013 and has seven investments in LA: InVenture, Tuition.io, Panjo, Nativo, Moonfrye and three unannounced but coming soon!
WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH? HOW DID YOU BECOME A VC?
Most of my career has been in startups in digital media with some time spent in politics, but across various roles in product management, marketing, and business development then as a founder and now an investor and advisor. I didn't set out to become an investor or advisor, I found it based on what I became passionate about- which is helping companies grow and succeed and working with entrepreneurs.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
At a digital agency in New York focused on bringing consumer businesses online. I was lucky enough to work with great brands like Hearst, Ralph Lauren, and NBC on their first forays onto the web.
HAVING WORKED AT COMPANIES, SUCH AS GOBBLER, AND THE VC SIDE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT AT EACH SIDE OF THE TABLE?
I love being on the company side to truly envelop myself in building a brand and being dedicated to one mission. On the other hand, I love investing and advising, as it allows me to be involved in many companies and ideas at once and help shape an overall landscape.
WHAT'S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED?
Embrace the lessons and wisdom that come from failures along the way.
WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS?
I look up to many people and to many people for advice - but Dana (Settle) has had a huge influence on me.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE ON A DAILY BASIS?
Focus!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR WOMEN STARTING OUT IN THE TECH WORLD?
Trust your instinct.
WHAT THREE APPS/SITES ARE YOUR FAVORITE LIFESAVERS?
This is probably a boring answer: Waze, everything Google, and Dropbox.
WHAT GROUPS ARE MAKING A STRONG IMPACT ON THE LA TECH COMMUNITY?
I love what Hack for LA is doing, General Assembly's launch in the city has been exciting and, of course, the accelerators have been great centers of activity that are creating physical community spaces.
AS AN ANGELENO, WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THE LA TECH COMMUNITY?
Los Angeles feels like it's at the beginning of another renaissance, but this one will have our community front and center. It's going to be a great decade for LA Tech.
