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Natalia Vela
Early-Stage Investor at Upload Ventures
Professional Background
Natalia Gonzalez Vela stands out as a prominent venture capitalist (VC) dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Latin America. Currently serving as an investor at Upload Ventures, Natalia leverages her extensive experience to identify and support extraordinary founders aiming to build the next generation of exceptional companies. This commitment is underscored by her belief in the power of knowledge, which has led her to become an advocate for democratizing venture capital insights for Latin American entrepreneurs.
To further this mission, Natalia launched 'La Neta del VC', a remarkable blog and bi-monthly newsletter available in both Spanish and English. This platform is designed to address the most pressing questions that founders face regarding venture capital, providing them with candid and detailed answers ranging from effective fundraising strategies to insights into the VC mindset. La Neta del VC not only serves as a valuable resource for budding entrepreneurs, but it also reflects Natalia's dedication to empowering the next generation of business leaders in Latin America.
Education and Achievements
Natalia's academic journey is equally impressive and multifaceted. She earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Finance and Marketing, with a minor in Chinese Language and Asian Studies from Boston College's esteemed Carroll School of Management. Her passion for culture and languages led her to study abroad at the Beijing Language and Culture University, where she immersed herself in Chinese language and culture, further enriching her global perspective.
Natalia's educational accomplishments began at a young age, as she graduated summa cum laude from Ursuline Academy of Dallas, showcasing her strong academic foundation.
Professional Journey
Throughout her distinguished career, Natalia has held several key positions in reputable organizations, gaining diverse experiences across the venture capital and consulting landscapes.
She previously served as an Investment Manager at Clout Capital, where she honed her skills in identifying investment opportunities and managing portfolios. Her tenure at SoftBank Group International as an investor allowed her to contribute to significant investment strategies in the rapidly evolving technology sector. As a board observer at Neivor and Zenda.la, she exhibited her prowess in guiding startups through the complexities of growth and development. Furthermore, her role as a board member at WeInvest Latam positions her as a leader in promoting investment opportunities within the Latin American market.
Natalia began her career in consulting, where she worked as a Senior Consultant - Asset Management Strategy at EY. This role equipped her with a strong foundation in financial services strategy, further enhancing her expertise in venture capital. Additionally, she served as a Financial Services Strategy Consultant at EY, allowing her to develop high-level strategic recommendations for clients.
Early in her academic career, Natalia also contributed as a Teaching Assistant for the Portico program at Boston College, and, as a Student Manager at the Boston College Call Center, she demonstrated her leadership capabilities. She also took on the responsibilities of Executive Director for the Latin American Leadership Conference, showcasing her dedication to advancing higher education and cultural exchange.
Achievements
- Founder of La Neta del VC: Natalia created a bilingual blog and newsletter aimed at providing Latin American entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate venture capital successfully.
- Key Investor Positions: Throughout her career, Natalia has held pivotal roles such as investor at Upload Ventures and SoftBank Group International, as well as serving on multiple boards, including WeInvest Latam and Neivor.
- Educational Excellence: Graduating summa cum laude from Ursuline Academy of Dallas and completing a B.S. at Boston College demonstrates her commitment to academic excellence.
- Cross-Cultural Competence: Natalia's studies in Chinese language and culture deepen her appreciation for international business dynamics and enhance her ability to operate in diverse environments.
Highlights
La Neta Snacks 🧠🍿 sobre venture capital, startups, tecnología y más…
Recomendaciones bite-size de lo que estoy leyendo, escuchando, pensando y viviendo actualmente 😄
📚 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨… Founder Mode de Paul Graham.
¡Muy interesante! ¡Soy fan de estos ensayos!
🎧 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐲 𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨… Entrevista a Karla Souza en Cracks Podcast con Oso Trava.
Karla es una de mis actrices mexicanas 🇲🇽 favoritas. Si no han visto la película "Nosotros los Nobles", háganse un favor y búsquenla en Prime Video. Se van a morir de la risa 🤣🤣🤣 jajaja. #BarbieNoble
Me impactó escuchar lo humana que suena - su historia, luchas, dolores, ambiciones, etc. Vale mucho la pena escucharlo 🎙️👌
🤔 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐞𝐧… La diferencia entre un gran insight (percepción) y una gran idea 🤔💡.
Como se explica en el libro "Pattern Breakers: Why Some Start-Ups Change the Future" un insight es lo que hace que una startup sea revolucionaria, mientras que una idea es simplemente una manifestación de esa percepción y puede, y debe, iterarse.
😎 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐣𝐨 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐲… Fui a ver Notworking, una comedia de startups de Ignacio Navarrete. ¡¡¡No manches, buenísimo!!! ¡Felicidades, amigo! ¡Cuánto talento el tuyo! 👏🎭👏
Me reí tanto que casi lloré. Ese tipo de risas son resets geniales jaja. ¡No te lo pierdas cuando llegue a tu ciudad!
🧠 𝐔𝐧𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞... "Siempre habrá alguien que no pueda ver tu valor. No permitas que seas tú". - Mel Robbins 👊
#emprendimiento #emprendedores #venturecapital #startups #latam #tech
La definición de una mentalidad de crecimiento 🧠💪🎯 #growthmindset
¡Vamos con todo!
#emprendedores #emprendimiento #venturecapital #startups #latam #tech
