From Northumbria to Silicon Valley

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

Juliet de Baubigny earned a Bachelor’s degree in business from Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School in 1990. Having started her career with Procter & Gamble, after a summer placement secured during her time with Northumbria, 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 Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, and 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 Newcastle Business School’s new Entrepreneurial Business Management degree pitched ideas to potential business clients.

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 studied at Northumbria, and it’s been a wonderful experience to come back.”

Passing on advice to aspiring student entrepreneurs, she added: “Do what you are passionate about and think big to dream the dream. Don’t underestimate the role technology plays – embrace it and learn to 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 and everything to gain.”

Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “We are proud to have graduates succeeding at the very highest level and distinguishing themselves internationally. Juliet’s career is an example of what is possible, and a clear inspiration to others."

Juliet joined the KPCB in 2001 and has led the development of several key initiatives including Kleiner Perkins Women Leaders (KPWL) and the KPCB Fellows Programme. She is one of Silicon Valley’s first venture capital partners focused on leveraging the firm’s broad network and deep relationships to help entrepreneurs recruit the best talent and build iconic companies. Juliet is a frequent contributor to Fortune as a Fortune Most Powerful Women Insider. She also appears often on Bloomberg TV, where she is an expert on Silicon Valley’s “War for Talent” as well as on millennials in the workplace, women in technology, and developing cultures of innovation.