Valery Komissarova

BD & Music Departments

2022 - Current

Helping make the magic happen

Mentor at Anywhere Accelerator

2018

Techstars Anywhere is a (mostly) virtual Techstars accelerator--no relocation necessary. Through the power of the Techstars network and the use of technology we bring Techstars to the founders #Anywhere. Founders follow the proven Techstars approach to accelerate their business & #domorefaster. The investment we make in each company in capital, time & network is exactly the same as every other Techstars accelerator.

Mentor

2016

I provide early-stage hardware startups with crucial insights into the hardware investment landscape, as well as advice in the areas of positioning, go-to-market strategies, business modeling & media relations.

Mentor

2016

Operations Manager

2018 - 2022

I joined Storm Ventures in 2018 as a member of the operations team. I am managing a wide range of marketing, research & business development initiatives.

Founder

2018 - 2021

Make Hardware is a Bay Area-based fundraising & business development consultancy for early-stage hardware startups (pre-seed to Series B), launched by a successful hardware VC. We work with the best entrepreneurs around the globe to help them launch or scale their operations in the US.

Bay Area Ambassador

2018 - 2019

EnСata has developed and implemented proven methods of search, selection and growth for "hardware startups" around the world. We provide technical and financial assistance – guiding and accelerating startup projects from good ideas to working prototypes and, ultimately, mass production. EnCata’s "one-stop" approach combines extensive consultancy, design offices, and manufacturing under one roof. The goal of this integrated process is to create a single, unified development flow to maximize project’s chances of success.

Principal / Business Development Director

2012 - 2018

- Acted as the Chief of Staff to the firm’s founder (a tech entrepreneur and a high net worth individual) throughout all aspects of launching and managing a $25m venture capital firm, recognized in 2015 by the Global Corporate Venturing as one of the top-50 most ambitious venture investors - Ran back-office operations (finance, legal, public relations, hiring), including building out the investment team and playing a critical role in fundraising and operating 2nd $100m fund - Identified 12+ investment opportunities that went on to raise tens of millions of dollars of subsequent funding from the likes of Sequoia, Morgan Stanley, The Walt Disney, Richard Branson, Larry Page, got acquired by Amazon, and went public - Gained strong understanding and knowledge of the emerging technologies (hardware, robotics, commercial space); was included in the list of “25 women in robotics you need to know about” by Robohub

Mentor, Qualcomm Robotics Accelerator

2015 - 2015

The Qualcomm Robotics Accelerator, powered by Techstars, invests in and supports early stage robotics startups through an intense four month mentor driven accelerator program at Qualcomm's headquarters in San Diego, CA. The program was discontinued. http://qualcommaccelerator.com/

Head Of Communications

2008 - 2012

- Built and led communications department throughout a consumer internet company’s growth from 100+ team members to thousands of employees and IPO in London - Acted as a hands-on leader, simultaneously hiring and managing PR specialists, representing the company as the spokesperson to diverse stakeholder groups, preparing a wide range of marketing and communications materials