Please allow us to introduce ourselves 🤝

This week we’re changing it up! With a few editions of VWB under our belts, we wanted to take this chance to properly introduce ourselves, the writers and tour guides behind Venture Without Borders.

We are Paula and James; world travelers, innovators, venture capital enthusiasts, and the founders of VWB. Our friendship began at Brown University where we bonded over our shared fascination with comparing societies and lifestyles across different regions while learning Chinese together (中文课的朋友们).

This past weekend we met up for coffee in DC, where we brainstormed new ideas and exciting topics to discuss on VWB!

With that in mind, we have a very important ask for our OG loyal readers. As we continue to refine our focus and thesis, we would like to take this moment to ask for your input. Please fill out this quick survey to share your thoughts about what would be some interesting topics that you’d like us to cover, as well as your preferred format to receive the news.

During our conversation, we also realized that we hadn’t had the chance to introduce ourselves further to our readers. With that in mind, read on to learn a little bit more about us!

Paula Martinez Gutierrez (马玉兰）

Paula manages the accelerator program and platform operations for ERA, the leading tech accelerator based in NYC. Previously, she was an advisor at the Mission of Mexico to the United Nations, where she served as a member of its Security Council’s team (2020-2022). Before this, she attended Tsinghua University as a Schwarzman Scholar, where she received a Masters in Global Affairs. She was born and raised in Mexico City until the age of 17, when she moved to Hong Kong and attended high school at Li Po Chun United World College. 

Paula has a strong interest in languages and speaks Spanish, English, and Mandarin Chinese. She attended the Princeton in Beijing program during the same summer as James, where they bonded over late-night study sessions and excursions around Beijing’s hutongs. Her honors thesis at Brown compared the impact of the ongoing drug war campaigns in China and Mexico, as well as the social and historical narratives that prevail in each country regarding this issue. As a Schwarzman Scholar, she interned at the Embassy of Mexico in China, and her capstone compared the organizational structures of regional groups ASEAN and CELAC, particularly with respect to power dynamics with China and the United States.

She’s Mexican by birth with a passion for the great outdoors, a New Yorker through marriage with an equal love for hotpot and salsa Valentina, and a global perspective by curiosity and profession. You can contact her directly on Twitter @Pau_Mttz or at [email protected].

James Konsky (康家明）

Born and raised in a small Midwest town, James discovered a multifaceted interest in Chinese language, politics, and business during his time at Brown University. His exploration of these subjects extended across three transformative summers in Asia, encompassing language immersion at the Princeton in Beijing program and even conducting thesis research in North Korea. His thesis ultimately delved into the intricate landscape of Chinese national oil companies and their strategic investments in Central Asia.

Witnessing a disparity in college preparatory opportunities between his peers in college and his hometown, James, with the support of Venture for America, co-founded an education company. This venture aimed to bridge the gap of accessibility and opportunity by providing affordable, but impactful ACT/SAT test prep and college guidance services to families in the Midwest. Over six years, James and his team expanded the business to three states, having helped students earn over $150 million in scholarships (and counting!).

In 2020, fueled by the desire to transition from operator to investor, James returned to academia. Enrolling in Washington University in St. Louis's full-time MBA program, he honed his skills in entrepreneurship and finance with a singular focus on venture capital. James immersed himself in the VC world, working with Waterman Ventures, mHUB, and Villhard Growth Partners. Most recently, James operated the NSIN Foundry startup studio program for the venture firm FedTech where he supported entrepreneur teams and early-stage ventures to commercialize deep-tech technologies.

You can find James on Twitter @JamesKonsky or at [email protected].

Together, James and Paula's journeys embody the mission of Venture Without Borders, as their diverse experiences converge into a narrative that underscores the transformative power of policy and entrepreneurship across geographic and cultural boundaries. Moreover, Paula and James share a passion to support and uncover investment opportunities in overlooked and underestimated geographies, verticals, and peoples.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know us. We are excited to meet you as well! Reach out on Twitter or email ([email protected]); we’d love to hear from you.

Let’s explore 🗺️

加油！