Jan Smith Joins Funk Ventures as Venture Partner
Former Disney Interactive President Jan E. Smith joins private equity and venture capital firm Funk Ventures as Venture Partner.
Canoga Park, CA (PRWEB) November 22, 2004 -- Private equity and venture capital firm Funk Ventures today announced that former Disney Interactive President Jan Smith has joined the firms venture capital business unit, Funk Ventures Capital Partners (FVCP"), as Venture Partner. The announcement was made by Funk Ventures CEO and Chairman Andy J. Funk.
Smith will provide strategic insights into the interactive gaming market, and assist with portfolio companies of FVCPs new interactive gaming fund, which is currently being established. Smith will be working with Managing Partners Andy Funk and John Waller as well as recently added Venture Partner Craig Allen.
Jan brings significant experience to our interactive gaming investment team," says John Waller. Her track record is impeccable and will help hone our investment strategies in this quickly growing industry."
Smith, most recently the President of Disney Interactive, is a 15 year veteran of the The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Having demonstrated strong entrepreneurial capabilities in new media, Smith was responsible for worldwide operations of Disney Interactive, including product development, marketing, finance and administration, business and legal affairs, and customer support. While at Disney Interactive, she built a superb track record and was responsible for establishing the business unit as a global leader.
With a thorough understanding of the entertainment and interactive businesses, Smith joined Disney in 1987 to help create and launch the Disney Store, then served as vice president of Licensed Publishing and Creative Development, spearheaded the launch of several new book imprints as Vice President and Group Publisher for Disney Publishing for Children, and then became Executive Vice President and subsequently President of Disney Interactive. She also headed up the Buena Vista Game Entertainment Studio, where she created a new organization to leverage and combine new and emerging technologies, such as broadband and wireless, with video consoles, PCs, other technological innovations, and online games to deliver integrated interactive entertainment for a new and exciting consumer experience.
About Funk Ventures
Funk Ventures is a multi-faceted private equity firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The firms business segments span from venture capital and investment banking to real estate and business services. The firms venture capital arm, which makes value-add investments in promising companies in the technology, interactive gaming and wellness markets, is complemented by an investment banking unit which provides access to outside capital to private and emerging companies. Funk Ventures also develops and invests in real estate and runs a business services unit that provides professional and advisory services to its clientele and portfolio companies. For more information, visit www.funkventures.com or call (818) 716-0413. Funk Ventures is a registered trademark of Funk Ventures, Inc.
Contact Information:
David Krasnow
818-716-0413
dkrasnow@funkventures.com
Funk Ventures
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