From Newcastle Business School to Silicon Valley

3rd November 2015

A leading venture capitalist from Silicon Valley recently returned to Newcastle Business School, where she graduated, to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Juliet de Baubigny earned a Bachelor’s degree in business in 1987. Having started her career with Procter & Gamble, she went on to help build high-performance management teams at global companies including Google and Amazon. Today, Juliet is a Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) – a leading California-based venture capital firm specialising in helping entrepreneurs deliver world-changing ideas to market.

During her visit she met with senior academics and students from Newcastle Business School with whom she discussed internship and sponsorship opportunities. She also attended a business generator session where students from the school’s new Entrepreneurial Business Management degree pitched ideas to a potential business client.

Juliet de Baubigny said: “I have been really impressed by how much Northumbria has developed and grown since I was here. As a prospective employer it has also been extremely encouraging to see just how enthusiastic and engaged the students are, and in the way they work together in teams so collaboratively. It makes me very proud to have graduated from Newcastle Business School, and it’s been a wonderful experience to come back.”

Passing on advice to aspiring student entrepreneurs, she added: “Do what you are positive and passionate about and think big. Don’t underestimate the role technology plays – embrace it and learn the code. Also, be prepared to take risks. Remember, the best time to do this is when have just graduated and are starting out – when you have nothing to lose.”

Kevin Kerrigan added: “Juliet’s journey from Newcastle Business School graduate to Silicon Valley visionary is an inspiration to our current and future students. It all started with her placement at P&G during her degree and shows the value of student engagement with industry and the need to set our sights high.”