• Monica Wheat

      InnovateHER. InvestHER. IdeateHER.

      Passionate about venture as the direct path to economic empowerment and improved communities.

       

      Monica Wheat is a Strategist, Investor, Consultant, and Venture Developer.

       

      Monica is currently the Managing Director of the Techstars Detroit Accelerator Powered by JP Morgan, part of a global seed-stage accelerator in 40+ cities worldwide. She previously served as a Techstars Startup Programs Lead for 10+ years leading programs globally and is the Founding Co-Director of Founders Boost, a global Pre-Accelerator and for Techstars program now live in 20 cities.

       

      Monica is also the Founder and Executive Director of Venture Catalysts, a non-profit venture and ecosystem development group focused on investor/founder education and development, an innovation hub, and large-scale entrepreneurial initiatives for over 45,000 attendees. She served as a consultant for Backstage Capital, co-producing their multi-city live investment tour, and was the Detroit Managing Director of the Backstage Capital Accelerator, a 4-city global tech accelerator investing in scaling startups for underrepresented founders.

       

      She is a global speaker, judge, and educator. Past clients have included Fortune 10 corporations, non-profits, school districts, tech accelerators, venture funds, and start-ups. She regularly speaks and consults at corporations & conferences on topics of emerging ecosystems, venture capital, digital innovation, and women in technology.

    • Path to Venture

      1

      2006

      Returns from working abroad in Engineering in Shanghai, China, and seeing the startup evolution in San Francisco first hand, returns to Detroit inspired; and becomes heavily involved in the startup & technology communities as an advisor and investor

       

      Initial Angel investments suffered due to underdeveloped ecosystem and access.

       

      Focuses efforts on creating a comparable Detroit venture ecosystem.

      2

      2007

      Leaves corporate engineering roles and shifts to path of increasing roles in digital media analytics, branding, web analytics, and global social media strategy for Fortune 10 brands - agency & client side.

      3

      2010

      Founds Pixel DSi LLC, a digital strategy consultancy that focused on digital strategy, social media and analytics projects for corporate, nonprofit and academic groups.

      4

      2011

      Becomes Lead of Techstars Startup Programs team ramping up efforts in Detroit

       

      Launches Digerati Girls / Digerati Kids Non-Profit to feed pipeline and focus on increasing access to TechEd & Digital Entrepreneurship for young girls & K-12 youth

      5

      2012

      Launches Uncommon Conversations Think Tank series with guests from around the country

       

      Assists in design & launch the National Newme Accelerator Popup Tour kicking off in Miami

      6

      2013

      Expands to Lead of Techstars Startup Programs and Ecosystem Development programs in Markets outside of Detroit

      7

      2014

      Founds Parallel Ventures, a consultancy founded on Corporate Innovation & Branded Startup Partnerships; Digital Ecosystems

       

      Launches partnership with global non-profit Code.org and leads techEd professional development series for teachers at school districts across the State of Michigan

       

      Launches PV Product series for founders & corporate innovation teams

      8

      2016

      Co-Founds first Techstars Startup Week and Techstars Startup NEXT Programs in Detroit

       

      Becomes Adjunct Professor at the Center for Creative Studies teaching Digital Strategy & Social Media

       

      Launches Venture Catalysts, a non-profit ecosystem development group focused on large scale initiatives and partnerships.

       

      Detroit Startup Week becomes the largest inaugural Startup Week in the United States

       

      Wins the inaugural Catalyst Award from Techstars Startup Programs team

      9

      2017

      Detroit Startup Week becomes the most diverse Startup Week in the United States

       

      Becomes Entrepreneur-In-Residence helping Diversity & Inclusion programs at Grand Circus, Detroit’s lead techEd facility and Google Tech Hub; Launches beta Digital Boost program

      10

      2018

      Selected as US Delegate for Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Istanbul, Turkey

       

      Continues trend of bringing National partners to Detroit and other ecosystems including AfroTech, Brazen Global, Newme, Backstage Capital, and more

       

      Becomes Managing Director and Founder of Detroit’s Backstage Capital Accelerator

       

      Wins Mixologist - Small Business Champion of the Year Award from TechTown Detroit

      11

      2019

      Launches Venture Week, SEED | START | SCALE ecosystem accelerator

       

      Launches 1701 Detroit, Tech Innovation

       

      Launches #BLKTechInVenture ecosystem development series

       

      Leads Techstars + HBCUvc 5-City Startup Week Tour

      12

      2020

      Launches first virtual Techstars Startup Week in the world

       

      Launches Catalyst Program

       

      Co-Produces 12-City Investment Tour with Backstage Capital

       

      Leads Global Entrepreneurship Week for State of Michigan

      13

      2021

      Becomes Managing Director of Techstars Equitech Accelerator

       

      Joins Black Channel Partner Alliance as Consulting Lead

      14

      2022

      Becomes Managing Director of Techstars Detroit Powered by JP Morgan

       

      Selected as US Delegate for Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    • COVERAGE

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