Innovating the funding of innovation: Skyler Fernandes at TEDxConnecticutCollege HD

J. Skyler Fernandes is a venture capitalist at Centripetal Capital Partners, an early stage venture fund with an innovative investment structure, and invests across industry sectors, such as internet, telecom, energy, nano-technology, and healthcare. Mr. Fernandes leads a number of global initiatives, including the Missing Middle Initiative, launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos, focused on creating funds that invest $100K-$3M, a critical financing gap for early-mid stage businesses globally. Mr. Fernandes is a serial entrepreneur, co-founding several internet companies and advises a number of startups. Additionally, Mr. Fernandes serves as COO of the South African Chamber of Commerce in America (SACCA), where he focuses on facilitating trans-Atlantic business opportunities between the United Stated and South Africa. Mr. Fernandes is a frequent speaker on the topics of global entrepreneurship and venture capital at such venues as Harvard Business School, New York University, Wharton Business School, Wits Business School, The United Nations, The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and other investment forums. He graduated a year early from New York University summa cum laude, due to coursework at Harvard University where he studied Quantum Physics and Foreign Policy. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)