The rest of the 100 (in alphabetical order): Rita Waite, Juniper Networks
Rita Waite is an investment manager with US-based technology provider Juniper Networks’ corporate venture capital team with a focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud services and emerging networking technologies.
She said: “I am Juniper’s representative and observer on the boards of several portfolio companies. I am also a vice-president of West-to-West, an organisation that promotes and supports Portuguese entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley, and a mentor at Founder Institute and Alchemist Accelerator. I believe CVCs have a unique value-add to early-stage companies. Corporates can bring to the table technical expertise, go-to-market reach and a path to scale. CVCs are able to act as a true strategic partner, having a dramatic impact on their investments beyond the capital.”
Her boss and head of the unit, Patrick Pfeffer, said: “Rita has been instrumental in reshaping Juniper’s venture investment strategy, establishing a new strategic thesis and investment process. She has driven several of our largest investments in the past two years, from deal sourcing through execution. She is Juniper’s board observer to several Juniper’s portfolio companies, chartered with helping each company reach their milestones and unlocking key insights for Juniper. Her contribution is lauded by the management of both the portfolio companies and Juniper where she has been identified as a key talent for promotion and extended responsibilities.”
Waite previously worked in Juniper’s corporate strategy group and studied economics at University of San Diego.
