“’I’m not so sure your business is scalable. But you: you’re it.’

I distinctly remember renowned venture capitalist Tim Draper’s feedback. I was 21. It was my first pitch competition. At that moment, Tim saw something in me that investors search for in their founders. It was positivity and grit.

Tim and Melissa Draper sponsor the largest collegiate pitch competition for women. Tim’s mom, sister, and wife Melissa Draper attended Smith, making my alma mater a natural fit to plant the seed of entrepreneurship as a career path for women.

Sure, my idea wasn’t a viable business. But what I learned was far more valuable: public speaking and personability, receiving constructive criticism, and networking up among business people and investors.

A year later, I worked for Smith College to market the competition I had once participated in, and scaled the number of participants by 500%. I spotted the towering man throwing his head back in a full-belly laugh as he entered the building. For a serious investor, Tim has a wildly youthful personality. I ran up to him immediately.

“I remember you!” he said. I was offered a job on the spot. Three weeks later, I was living in San Francisco, doing marketing for Tim’s entrepreneurship program Draper University.

Giving me a position at Draper University meant Tim entrusted me with the responsibility to grow and create success for his company. He believed that though I was young and relatively inexperienced, I had what it takes to figure things out.

Tim Draper fervently believes in the value of women in business for diversity of thought and return on investment, whether he’s investing in them through venture or social capital.

I am forever grateful for having Tim as a champion at the start of my professional career, and as a lifelong mentor.”

– Allie, Marketing & Partnerships
New York City