The EVCA leadership is dedicated to building community across and empowering the next generation of venture capitalists through an array of activities—from hosting events, knowledge sharing, and connecting others. This EVCA Leadership Spotlight Series is intended to help the broader community get to know what's going on behind the scenes at the EVCA, as well as highlight the valuable contributions of those individuals who make the EVCA possible. Accordingly, it's a great privilege for us to announce this EVCA Leadership Spotlight on our very own EVCA AI/ML Vertical Lead, Connie Wang of Montage Ventures.
Connie Wang is a VP at Montage Ventures, backing technical founders at the early stages (Pre-seed through A) in AI applications across financial services, commerce, and built world verticals. Before Montage, Connie held GTM operating roles at a variety of startups from Series A to Enterprise stages, across construction software (PlanGrid, acquired by Autodesk) and SMB fintech (Karat Financial). She started her career in investment banking and is a USC grad. Outside of works she loves doing Barry’s, making ceramics, and being a Frenchie mom.
EVCA: Could you share more about what you do in your role as EVCA's AI/ML vertical lead?
Connie: I am currently a vertical lead at EVCA in AI where I’ll look to foster engaging events, conversations, and connections between investors, founders, and operators. I’ll be looking to plan 2 events each year, virtual and in-person, for networking or exploring hot topics in AI.
EVCA: What made you interested in taking a leadership role at EVCA?
Connie: Building community is a personal passion of mine. As many of us are concurrently exploring opportunities across the AI stack, it’s a great opportunity to learn together. I really enjoyed the past EVCA webinar event with founders building at the forefront of contech (including our portfolio company, Higharc). I found it highly insightful and I hope to create similar events.
EVCA: What is your most contrarian view on an existing or emerging technology trend?
Connie: I believe that AI companies with unique access to data will have a competitive edge. In particular, human generated data will become more valuable and less of a commodity. As I’m looking into legacy verticals like manufacturing or renewables, much of the data remains offline, fragmented, or even hard to access in areas like local governments. I believe that unique approaches in accessing such tribal knowledge through a services-led approach can be an interesting new business model in the era of AI to kickstart proprietary data moats.
Interested in taking on an EVCA leadership role? The EVCA leadership is dedicated to empowering the next generation of VCs through an array of activities—running 40+ channels on from hosting events, knowledge sharing, and connecting others. If interested in pursuing an EVCA leadership role, click here.
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