originally posted: https://medium.com/lightspeed-venture-partners/investing-in-the-experience-economy-a74197988b64 “Pics or it didn’t happen” is my generation’s version of “if a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?” I have spent way too much time fretting over the caption that would just perfectly complement the memory I wanted to show off (if you’ve been there, you’ve been... Continue Reading →
The Future of Work(ers)
Originally posted in Dec 2019 My take on what the future might hold for workers In 2013, I worked with two students’ whose journeys have stuck with me ever since: Mariah* had worked in a call center until it downsized as chatbots emerged. She came to General Assembly seeking a career change as a result.... Continue Reading →
Investing and Empowering: What I’m Focusing on at Lightspeed.
Originally posted Nov 2019 I recently joined Lightspeed on the early-stage consumer investment team. It’s unlike any other team I’ve seen in venture. I’m the fifth woman to join our consumer team, which also includes two men. The last time I joined an investment team, nearly a decade ago, I mostly saw men when I looked around... Continue Reading →
Black Birthright: A Homecoming and Healing through Heritage
I recently wrote an opinion piece that was featured in the NY Times. If you're moved by this post please consider donating to an organization I've learned about called Birthright AFRICA: http://www.birthrightafrica.org/donate. If you want to get in touch about the idea, please message me on my contact page. Blessings and Sankofa, Mercedes https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/04/opinion/sunday/travel-blacks-africa.html
Getting up to Speed in VC and What I’ve Learned
If you are considering VC and have the opportunity to work at a fund, here is my TL;DR advice about how to design your first few months: 1) identify what parts of the role you want to test / explore and be very transparent / intentional about these areas 2) keep a journal of your... Continue Reading →
Where is VR/AR and Education Now?
Originally published on VRScout on July 25, 2017: https://vrscout.com/news/vr-ar-education-now/ In March 2014 Facebook bought Oculus and the current wave of interest in VR and AR was reborn. While the public largely scoffed at the awkward goggles, industry pundits proclaimed VR/AR would one day replace our 2D screens, and highlighted education as one of the top applications in... Continue Reading →
Top Companies and Players in the VR/AR Education Space
With VR/AR being such a nascent industry, it can be difficult to get a grasp of the landscape and who is doing what. I created a guide to some of the top companies and key players in the VR/AR space to help demystify the space. Enjoy!
2016’s Top 5 Trends in Alternative Higher Education
2016 was a busy year in alternative higher education! From MOOCs to coding bootcamps to Online Program Managers (OPMs) to universities, all players kept busy innovating and pushing the boundaries to move us toward a world where more adults feel prepared to engage and succeed in society. Here's a rundown of 2016's Top 5 Trends... Continue Reading →
Paranoid Optimism
You can assume that everything that can go wrong, will, and still be an optimist. Trust me, I'm a pro at it. Flash back a few years ago to early 2014. At work, my division was growing like wildfire. Like a thorny weed. Like bunny rabbits. Heck it was growing so fast we couldn't remember... Continue Reading →
