Miles spencer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Miles 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 and co-creator of MoneyHunt,[1] a reality based show where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. MoneyHunt was distributed to PBS stations [2] in the US beginning 1997 running through 2001, with original programming and through 2006 in repeats. Spencer and Co-Host Cliff Ennico are known for their direct, fast paced questioning[3] and contructive criticism of entrepreneurs[4]. The two developed the program after a classroom experience at a local continuing education class. The show is considered the original program of the genre, and has been copied in several markets worldwide, most notably Dragon’s 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 [5]. Since 2003, these investments have been made together with a small group of angels and through Vaux les Ventures, his personal investment vehicle. Previously, investments were made through Capital Express, a private equity firm based in New York [6] where Mr. Spencer was a one of four Members. Capital Express’ most notable investment was Register.com. Vaux’s investment criteria[2] are published on its website.
Spencer is also well known as the co-founder of Kayak for a Cause, an annual charity event [7]that raises funds for local and national charities [8]. On a dare in 2000, Spencer and Scott Carlin kayaked from Norwalk, CT [9] across Long Island Sound to the Huntington area [10]. More recently, up to 300 kayakers follow Spencer and Carlin in the “Adventure with Purpose” and over 5,000 people per year donate funds [11]. Donations are given away to local and national charities.
A second adventure, whereby Spencer and Wellington Jones trek 1,100 miles through the deserts of the Middle East to raise funds for peace is now called “Lawrence on Arabia”. The trek lasted 26 days and retraced T.E. Lawrence's steps as told in “Seven Pillars of Wisdom” The trek is scheduled to be repeated in as part of the promotional run-up for an upcoming West End Play, titled A Line in the Sand by playwright Edward Kemp [12] and Producer Nelle Nugent.
External Links
[edit] References
- ^ Entrepreneur Magazine
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/Money-Hunt-Creating-Breakaway-Business/dp/product-description/0066619955 Amazon
- ^ 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.moconews.net/entry/419-cellufun-gets-3-million-in-first-round-funding MocaNews
- ^ MoneyHunt's 27 Rules for Growing a Breakaway Business (Harper Collins)
- ^ http://www.hamptons.com/hamptons_article_magazine_814.htm [Hamptons News]
- ^ http://www.cancercare.org/support_us/events/kayak/index.php Cancer Care
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwalk,_Connecticut Wiki City of Norwalk
- ^ http://town.huntington.ny.us/newsdetails.cfm?id=872 Huntington News
- ^ Business Week
- ^ http://www.edwardkemp.co.uk
