LISA LA BONTÉ

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The IMPACT EXPAT. Mid East's Youth development trendsetter

Start-Ups & Capital / SPACE Education & Workforce PIONEER

  • National Space Society/Int'l Space Dev Conf, Panel "Future of Space Investments" May 2024. Los Angeles, CA
  • New Worlds Space Conf. - Sharks in Space, Judging Panel "Space Business plan competition and Bootcamp Nov. 2023. Austin, TX
  • EXPOMUN at DubaiExpo, Secretary-General: "Historic Model United Nations NFT launch  & Best Delegate Awards" March 2022. Dubai, UAE
  • International Astronautical Federation (IAC) Technical Session Co-Chair: "Finance and Investment: The Practitioners' Perspectives" Oct. 2021. Dubai, UAE
  • Youth Impact Inclusion Online Summit,Panelist:"Building grounds for innovation & sustainable growth: Changing mindsets & building an inclusive culture for growth" Nov. 2020. New Dehli, India
  • Top CEO Middle East,  Panelist:"Future Growth Amid Volatility - Youth Bulge & Employment: From Liability to Demographic Dividends"  Feb. 2019. Manama, Bahrain
  • International Astronautical Congress, Panel  GNF Global Forum:"Developing a Space Workforce"  Oct. 2018. Bremen, Germany
  • 100 Game Changers @ The World Summit on Innovation & Entrepreneurship 2017 - Town Hall: Dozen Disruptors"Man x Machine: Business in the Age of Intelligence"  Oct. 2017, NYC, NY
  • Women in STEM -Conference Steering Committee, Organizing Member "Empowering Emirati Women Blazing Trails in STEM" Oct.  2016, Dubai, UAE
  • Wharton DC Innovation Summit, Panel "National Innovation Models - Middle East" and Program Architect & Moderator"Global Crises Innovative Solutions Challenge" April  2016, Washington, DC
  • Harvard University/Asia & American University "Strategies for Start-ups" March  2015, Dubai, UAE 
  • International Astronautical Congress, Technical Session Chair: "Enabling the Future: Developing the Space Workforce" Sept. 2014, Toronto, Canada


  • U.S. Dept. of State, Global Entrepreneurship Program: "Angel Investing Primer" Sept. 2014, Washington, DC
  • Western Union / Al Ansari Exchange Sustainable Business Plan Competition, Judging Panel: "Business For Better" May 2014, Dubai, UAE
  • Youth Change Everything Conference, Panelist "Overcoming Entrepreneurial Obstacles" Sept. 2013, Doha, Qatar 
  • International Astronautical Congress, Technical Session Chair: Space Education & Outreach Symposium "Calling Planet Earth - Space Outreach to the General Public" Sept. 2013, Beijing, China
  • Dubai Airshow: Inaugural 'Futures Day', Master of Ceremonies: November, 2011, Dubai, UAE
  • Global Arab Business Congress, Panel Chair: "Sustainability Strategies for the Arab World" October, 2011, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
  • Najah Career & Training Expo, Keynote: "Space education, forging the way" 2011, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Global Space & Satellite Forum, Panel Chair: "UAE NASA Research Fellows Alumni Mission Work Briefings" May, 2011, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • UAE Ministry of Education /Global Education Forum, Panelist/Speaker: "An Innovative Approach to Strategic Workforce Development" March, 2011, Dubai, UAE
  • U.N. declared World Space Week Model U.N. space debates: Keynote: October, 2010, Dubai, UAE
  • AAAS/Royal Scientific Academy, Panelist/Speaker: "Brain Gain: Igniting Future Prospects" Sept. 2010, Amman, Jordan  (Published. Book image, top)
  • United Nations Association UAE Organizing Session: Convener May, 2010, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • U.N. supported World Summit on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Panelist/Speaker: "The Power of Angel Investing in Igniting Entrepreneurship & Economic Vitality" April 2006, Muscat, Oman 
  • Investors Mastermind Leadership Summit"Making Millions of Dollars & Impacting Millions Going Global" July 2024. Las Vegas, NV

GO BOLDLY #IDEATE #INVENT #INVIGORATE -- Qualifications:

ECONOMIC DEV INFRASTRUCTURE

ACCESS TO CAPITAL START-UP/SME FUNDING

ACCESS TO CAPITAL START-UP/SME FUNDING

Founded Pacific Business Forums, Hawaii's first integrated venture brand and market catalyst 2001-4 

  • Spearheaded increase of seed/early stage funding for tech companies from $3MM to $100MM, 2001-5
  • Silicon Valley/NYC VCs knowledge and networking forums and private sessions
  • VC Master classes
  • Funding showcases / $100k Business plan competitions 
  • Fundraising Bootcamps
  • Hawaii Venture Journal 
  • Hi-Tech CEO Roundtable
  • Advocated for Hawaii's historic Act 221, 100% Tax credit, investment incentive

ACCESS TO CAPITAL START-UP/SME FUNDING

ACCESS TO CAPITAL START-UP/SME FUNDING

ACCESS TO CAPITAL START-UP/SME FUNDING

 Lauched the  $100,000 Fusion Hawaii Venture Showcase business plan competition.

Created the Access to Capital model for Asia/Pacific minority SMEs under Executive Order of the White House funded by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, 2004. 


The Venture Showcase debuted at the Hawaii Convention Center delivering over $1 million in funding to start-ups on Day 1.  

 

Deal Engine Software (2003) Economic sector based Entrepreneur/ Investor/ Service Provider matching engine built on a $1 M Oracle platform.

ANGEL INVESTORS NETwORKS

ACCESS TO CAPITAL START-UP/SME FUNDING

ANGEL INVESTORS NETwORKS

Created Pacific Angel Network in 1997, the first network in Hawaii, comprised of UHNWI /private investors from Asia-Pacific basin.


In 2002, planned the creation of Hawaii Angels with its current leader. HA became the state's largest and most active network.


 Structured Arab Business Angels Network, MENA's first across 18 nations, launching for the Dubai Government, and delivered the Arab world's first Clinton Global Initiative.


 Board included Emirati Forbes billionaire (#86) as Chairman, Queen Rania as Honorary President.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

ANGEL INVESTORS NETwORKS

Created Arab Youth Venture Foundation (AYVF, 2007) the pioneering NGO with end goal of private sector jobs/ confront- ing youth-bulge in MENA (4) years before Arab Spring. 


MENA's first strategic extra-curricular and public programs (5.1 million, 6-24 yrs olds from 81 nations, 112 nationalities. 


34 trailblazing programs, focus:

  • STEM & Space
  • Entrepreneurship/Money
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Literacy/Story Tent
  • Creativity/Art/Design

Repeat funding by governments, MNCs, big tech, defense contractors.


SPACE WORKforce

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Envisioned and launched in 2008 the Middle East's first programs for space education, outreach, workforce develop-ment and training (7) years before launch of a regional space agency & strategically supporting GCC 'Visions 20xx'


In 2007 pitched, 2009 secured historic NASA Int'l Space Act Agreement that actively drew NASA into Middle East markets. And enabled AYVF in 2010 to put UAE on global space map and catch NASA's attention for GCC.


Delivered Proof of Concept for foreign University student space training at NASA which formed basis for NASA's current Int'l Internship model.

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Launched GCC's first United Nations Association in 2010. Served as UNA-UAE inaugural Secretary-General.

  • Doubled the number of Model U.N. clubs in UAE private schools, Year 1.
  • 2015, created model  for Abu Dhabi semi-government: Youth Government & Diplomacy Practicum in Washington, DC/NYC.
  • 2019, launched first iteration of 'Global Citizens SDGs Open Innovation Challenge' by 2023 in over 80 nations.
  • 2022, launched EXPOMUN, the most diverse MUN per capital in MUN's 76 years at Dubai World Fair, 'Expo2020'
  • Launched the first MUN NFT
  • 2024 book "Youth Diplomacy in Action" Published.



   

Impact brands - SME/CAPITAL Networks - venture Investments

Arab Youth Venture Foundation

Arab Youth Venture Foundation

Arab Youth Venture Foundation

From 2007 UAE HQ: GCC/Levant/N. Africa

Pacific Business Forums

Arab Youth Venture Foundation

Arab Youth Venture Foundation

2001-2005 Honolulu, Tokyo (Asia-Pacific)

Carnegie Global Ventures

Arab Youth Venture Foundation

Carnegie Global Ventures

From 1997 Honolulu, NYC, Silicon Valley, Dubai

Global entrepreneur. TREND BUILDER. Investor. #CONNECT #commit #CATALYZE

SOFT POWER & CVE

OFFSETS Joint VENTURES

OFFSETS Joint VENTURES

Foundation for Development Diplomacy and Defense - Soft Power Global Strategies


The DIRE Initiative - Defeating Islamic/Ideological Radicalization & Extremism (CVE)


MATTER - Mothers Against Terrorism, Extremism & Radicalization


CVE Global Open Innovation Solutions Challenge

OFFSETS Joint VENTURES

OFFSETS Joint VENTURES

OFFSETS Joint VENTURES

Inquire for details   

COINED CONCEPTS

OFFSETS Joint VENTURES

INVESTMENTS & CAPITAL

STEAM (2007) The first used  in public domain for inspired STEM - Science, Technology, Aerospace/Avionics/Astronomy/Aeronautics, Engineering & Math


Khalijization (2009) workforce strategies for GCC nationals


Foundational Entrepreneurship Creative Confidence, EI Ages 2+


Najmonaut (2020) Arab space explorer

   

INVESTMENTS & CAPITAL

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

INVESTMENTS & CAPITAL

 Starting in 1995 Lisa has raised over $225MM, introduced $8 billion of VC into emerging markets, served as an adviser to 150+ SMEs, four incubators and multiple VC funds. 


Between 1996 and 2006 Lisa invested (angel + VC LP) in 76 early-stage companies (internet, medical device, software). Exits included 18 by IPO (NASDAQ) and 10 by M&A (NYSE+)   


Lisa began Impact investing in 2007 starting with her UAE NGO.

As of 2020 Lisa is following her bliss into Legacy investments 


BACKGROUND

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

 Entrepreneur/investor/advisor. Career roots in Silicon Valley technology/defense sectors.  


Lisa's global career launched as a Tokyo expat with her first consulting client, Shimizu -- Japan's #1 E&C firm. Lisa's decade long advisory practice with MNCs in 21 nations.  


Overseas 20+ years, Lisa plans, launches, and fixes ventures for Royalty, VVIP, sovereign wealth/PE funds, UHNWs/ family offices, & her own.   


Lisa is a published author of 6 books empowering youth.


EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

  • ALM Master Liberal Arts (Journalism) Harvard
  • MBA, Internatonal Business (Marketing) Thunderbird
  • MSc, Internet Strategy/ Tech Mgmt (eCommerce) Marlboro/Emerson 
  • BA Political Science (Asia Geopolitics) Univ. Hawaii

Graduate Program Certificates:

  • Asia Pacific Management
  • International Security
  • Digital Storytelling    

Lisa's been an adjunct professor of graduate Asian Marketing & Global Strategy.                         

Copyright © 2018-2024 Lisa La Bonte - All Rights Reserved.    


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