- Miles Spencer
-
Miles Spencer in 2011
Miles Spencer on MoneyHunt, circa 2000Miles Spencer (born April 30, 1963, Norristown, PA) is a prolific angel investor, media entrepreneur and explorer. He is best known for his role as co-host[1] and co-creator of MoneyHunt,[2] a reality based show where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas[3] to a panel of experts.[4] MoneyHunt was distributed to PBS stations[5] in the US beginning 1997[6] and overseas beginning 1999. Spencer and co-host Cliff Ennico[7] are known for their direct, fast paced questioning[8] and constructive criticism of entrepreneurs.[9] The two developed the program after a classroom experience at a local continuing education class.[10] The show is considered the original program of the genre,[11] and has been copied in several markets worldwide, most notably Dragons' Den. Ironically, Spencer readily admits in his book “MoneyHunt [1]” to having been inspired by “Enterprise”, a French show hosted by Bernard Tapie, while he attended school there in the early eighties as an exchange student from Choate Rosemary Hall.
Spencer’s investing career has centered on consumer products, media, online and mobile activities.[12] Since 2003, these investments have been made together with a small group of angels and through Vaux les Ventures,[13] his personal investment vehicle. Previously, investments were made through Capital Express, a private equity firm based in New York[14] where Mr. Spencer was a one of four Members. Capital Express’[15] most notable investment was Register.com. Vaux's most notable investments to date are Operative [2], Mojiva and Cellufun. Vaux’s investment criteria [3] are published on its website.
Spencer is also well known as the co-founder[16] of Kayak for a Cause, an annual charity event[17] that raises funds for local and national charities.[18] On a dare in 2000, Spencer and Scott Carlin kayaked from Norwalk, CT, across Long Island Sound to the Huntington area.[19] More recently, up to 300 kayakers follow Spencer and Carlin in the “Adventure with Purpose” and over 5,000 people per year donate funds.[20] Donations are given away to local[21] and national charities.
A second adventure, whereby Spencer and Wellington Jones have trekked 1,100 miles (1,800 km) through the deserts of the Middle East to raise funds for peace was dubbed “Lawrence on Arabia”. The trek lasted 26 days and retraced T. E. Lawrence's steps as told in “Seven Pillars of Wisdom”. The trek served as creative inspiration for a West End Play in development, titled A Line in the Sand by playwright A. C Grayling and Producer Nelle Nugent.
External links
References
- ^ New York Times: In a Gong Show for Start-Ups, The Best Business Plan Wins March 21, 1999, By James Schembari
- ^ Entrepreneur Magazine
- ^ http://www.savp.com/inTheNews.php?id=25 The Deal
- ^ Sky-Delta Air Lines June 1999 by John Grossman
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/Money-Hunt-Creating-Breakaway-Business/dp/product-description/0066619955 Amazon
- ^ Kiplingers June 2000 by Ronaleen Rohaand
- ^ San Francisco Chronicle August 9, 2000, by Peter Sintonare
- ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmfor/is_199806/ai_n15364153 Forbes Magazine
- ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3514/is_1_47/ai_58459686 Success Magazine
- ^ http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16722322&BRD=1654&PAG=461&dept_id=57100&rfi=6 Westport Minuteman
- ^ PR Week September 28, 2000, "Pitch-off piques Interest by Aimee Grove
- ^ http://www.moconews.net/entry/419-cellufun-gets-3-million-in-first-round-funding MocaNews
- ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2004_Jan_19/ai_112309313 Business Wire
- ^ MoneyHunt's 27 Rules for Growing a Breakaway Business (Harper Collins, ISBN 978-0-06-661995-8)
- ^ http://www.atnewyork.com/news/article.php/248001 AtNew York
- ^ Home - The Advocate
- ^ http://www.hamptons.com/hamptons_article_magazine_814.htm Hamptons News
- ^ http://www.cancercare.org/support_us/events/kayak/index.php Cancer Care
- ^ http://town.huntington.ny.us/newsdetails.cfm?id=872 Huntington News
- ^ http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/aug2006/id20060811_291743.htm Business Week
- ^ www.thehour.com/story/329302684241740.php
Categories:- 1963 births
- Living people
- American television personalities
- Angel investors
- Charity fundraisers
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