Social Media Business Hour with Nile Nickel

Having served as the Executive Director of the Florida Venture forum for nine years, Robin helped attract $1.2 billion in capital for fund emerging growth companies throughout the state. Many of these companies were based in Hillsborough County, providing jobs and career opportunities for many.

As a serial entrepreneur, Robin knows that timing is critical for a community. We must innovate in Hillsborough County. We must have the visionary leadership to tackle some of area’s challenges, and we must count on the experience of a proven business person to position in the global economy.

Robin Kovaleski Lester, a serial entrepreneur, comes by her interest in job creation, economic development and sound business practices as a result of her years of experience. She has started, run and sold three firms and is now managing partner of Florida Growth Partners, a consulting firm that links emerging growth companies to sources of capital across the globe, helping them gain access to capital for continued growth and job creation.

Prior to founding Florida Growth Partners, she was executive director of the Florida Venture Forum, where she helped raise more than $1.2 billion in venture capital to fund Florida-based companies. During her tenure, she grew the organization by more than 88 percent, making it one of the Top 10 Venture Capital Conferences held annually in the United States. She also has extensive experience with publicly-traded companies, having served as investor relations officer at two Florida-based companies, SYKES (NASDAQ:SYKE) and BREED Technologies (NYSE:BDT).

Direct download: SMBH_52_Robin_Lester.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:07pm EDT

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