Investor Mentor Spotlight: Forging a New Path
Like many, Camila Noordeloos ended up a venture capitalist by chance – of course, mixed in with a lot of hard work, skill, and appetite for a challenge.
Camila started her career in the US, after immigrating from Brazil, at General Electric (GE) working in corporate finance. Two years into the role, GE launched GE Ventures as the company’s new investment arm and she was offered a role to support building the fund up from the ground. At the time, she knew almost nothing about venture capital. But, despite an extremely diverse team internally at GE Ventures, it didn’t take long for her to realize that in this new industry, she would often be the only woman, and only Latina, in the room.
Latino/as represent just 1.6% of investment professionals working in venture capital. Right now, over a decade after Camila entered the industry, 79% of funds over $100M in AUM still have zero Latino/a investors. Venture capital is an industry built on relationships, and it can be challenging to find your footing when no one else in the room looks like you.
“When we invest in companies, we are really investing in people. Venture capital is an industry based on building relationships you can trust,” Camila said. “It’s so much easier to build trust with someone you can relate to. If I go out and meet another Brazilian, right away I can connect with them because we share so much culture.”
Even in an unfamiliar environment, she thrived off the energy of venture capital. In the early years, GE Ventures operated more like a start up than a branch of one of the largest companies in the world. Born into a family full of entrepreneurs herself, she found fast success navigating early-stage culture. She enjoyed rolling up her sleeves and getting to work as part of team building something entirely new. After six years, Camila and her team grew GE Ventures into a fund with 150+ portfolio companies.
“What keeps me in this industry continues to be the can-do spirit of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists,” she said. “Founders continue to push for their idea even when they might get one hundred no’s during fundraising. That spirit to continue forward is inspiring to me.”
Today, as a General Partner at Grand Ventures, Camila is on a mission to give back and uplift the next generation of female and Latino/a investors. To do that, she believes in the power of mentorship, community, and being yourself.
Camila currently serves as a fellowship mentor for SomosVC, where she connects with young investors who are starting out to uplift and empower them as they transition into venture capital.
“Embrace what makes you different. You have the ability to make more impact when you stand out. Venture capital is a relationship business, so showcase the parts of your culture that make you unique and resonate with others.”