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Toward a Loose Comparative Taxonomy of Fictional Universes
Talks about Science Fiction, Fantasy and Geek
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Norman Liang
Partner at Upshot Ventures
San Mateo, California
Overview
Norman Liang is a Partner at Upshot Ventures in San Mateo, California, with a focus on portfolio management in seed-stage technology companies. He has a strong background in strategic partnerships and business development, with notable roles at GoPro as Director of Business and Corporate Development and Sungy Mobile as Head of Growth and International.
Work Experience
Partner
2023 - Current
Leading portfolio management for a top-performing seed stage technology venture fund partnering with founders to build unicorns.
Advisor, Coach, and Mentor
2005
I work with founders to build skills, plans, and connections to raise capital, launch new products and services, and negotiate complex partnerships. I have made angel Investments, mentored founders, and built growth initiatives across multiple startups building connected hardware, mobile apps, and online services for consumers.
Director of Business and Corporate Development
2021 - 2021
GoPro is a consumer technology brand building the world's leading action camera and online tools for self-expression through photos and videos.
GoPro is a brand of personal cameras used in extreme action video photography.
Raised $288,205,000.00 from FIH Mobile.
Vice President
2015 - 2018
Consumer Internet investments and portfolio manager for WI Harper Fund VIII the Alibaba Entrepreneurs' Fund.
WI Harper Group is a venture capital firm that focuses on early and expansion investments in Mainland China, Taiwan and Silicon Valley.
Head of Growth and International
2012 - 2015
Developed strategy and formed partnerships to grow revenues and expand a venture-backed Chinese mobile developer into a global company.
Business Development
2010 - 2011
YouWeb is a Silicon Valley incubator behind Crowdstar and OpenFeint.
YouWeb develops products and business models for companies in the consumer internet and mobile computing sectors.
Raised $2,000,000.00 from Praful Shah, Tugboat Ventures, Winston Cho, Peter Relan and Brett Wander.
Director Of Business Development
2009 - 2010
MindJolt is a venture-backed game studio that is now Jam City started by the founders of MySpace.
MindJolt is a gaming platform for developers and gamers.
Raised $22,000,000.00 from Austin Ventures.
Director Of Business Development
2008 - 2009
Partnerships and Business Development for Photobucket, the largest online photo and video storage service for 80m users.
Business Development Manager
2007 - 2008
Software and Service Partnerships for a leading maker of smartphones connecting people.
Business Development Executive, Digital Media and Consumer Electronics
2004 - 2007
Business Development and strategy for technology licensing and product partnerships. Present industry trends and market analysis on digital transformation. Led complex projects with consumer electronics, gaming, and media companies.
IBM is an IT technology and consulting firm providing computer hardware, software, infrastructure, and hosting services.
Education
BA
1994 - 1998