Kay Koplovitz
Co-founder & Chairman, Springboard Enterprises; Founder & former CEO, USA Networks
SPEAKER FEE RANGE: $30,000–$40,000 [FEE NOTE]
TRAVELS FROM: New York
RELATED TOPICS: Broadcast & Media, Business Growth & Change, CEO & Executive, Entrepreneur, Women in Business, Women in Media
Ms. Koplovitz is the founder and former Chairman & CEO of USA Networks, the SyFy Channel (formerly Sci-Fi Channel), and USA Networks International, today multi-billion-dollar television cable television network. Ms. Koplovitz ran the network for 21 years before stepping down in 1998, at which time it was sold for $4.5 billion. As founder of USA Networks, Kay is the visionary who created the business model for cable networks by introducing the concept of two revenue streams: licensing and advertising.
Ms. Koplovitz is the founder and former Chairman & CEO of USA Networks, the SyFy Channel (formerly Sci-Fi Channel), and USA Networks International, today multi-billion-dollar television cable television network. Ms. Koplovitz ran the network for 21 years before stepping down in 1998, at which time it was sold for $4.5 billion. As founder of USA Networks, Kay is the visionary who created the business model for cable networks by introducing the concept of two revenue streams: licensing and advertising.
In 2016, Kay co-founded Springboard Growth Capital to bring growth stage investments to companies emerging from Springboard Enterprises’ ecosystem. Springboard Growth Capital is leveraging the strong brand, deep entrepreneurial relationships, and the extensive network of experts, investors, mentors built by Springboard Enterprises during the past 19 years.
Since 2000, Kay has served as Chairman of Springboard Enterprises, where under her leadership, the venture-catalyst accelerator has been bringing women founders leading transformational businesses to full parity in raising capital. The value of Springboard Enterprises has been validated by a strong 19-year track record of success of $9.5 billion capital raised with 190 exits and 19 IPOs. Companies in the portfolio include technology and life sciences. In 2014, Ms. Koplovitz co-founded the New York Fashion Tech Lab bringing promising technology companies in collaboration with the fashion and retail industry.
In 1998, President Clinton appointed Kay to chair the bipartisan National Women's Business Council (NWBC). Her research found that $104 billion in venture capital was going over the transom, but only 1.7 percent was going to women. Kay discovered that there were few venture capital and funding options for women entrepreneurs. VCs in Silicon Valley told Kay they had never seen any women come to pitch them. Subsequently, she was compelled to use this platform to launch Springboard Enterprises, t0 select, train to raise capital, and present to the VC community.
She is the author of Bold Women, Big Ideas: Learning to Play the High-Risk Entrepreneurial Game, a book she wrote to inform and inspire women entrepreneurs. She more recently published Been There, Run That, an anthology of best practices from Springboard Enterprises’ expert network of thought leaders.
Kay currently serves on the Boards of Ion Media Networks and Veniam, previously chaired Liz Claiborne (later Kate Spade) and served on the boards of CA Technologies, Time Inc, Oracle, Nabisco, Instinet, and General RE. She also has been a long-term trustee for The International Tennis Hall of Fame and trustee (currently emeritus) of The Paley Center for Media.
Ms. Koplovitz holds an M.A. degree in Communications from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 1968 as a National Merit Scholar. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin in 1967, and sits on the Board of Visitors College of Letters and Science as Trustee. Ms. Koplovitz also holds honorary doctorate degrees from Emerson College, Michigan State University, St. John’s University, and Canisius College.
Kay is a speaker, thought leader, called to deliver opening remarks, talk on panels, participate in fireside chats, and deliver keynote speeches. She is an expert media contributor and is frequently interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., CNBC, MSNBC, Bloomberg TV and Financial Times.
In 2016, Kay co-founded Springboard Growth Capital to bring growth stage investments to companies emerging from Springboard Enterprises’ ecosystem. Springboard Growth Capital is leveraging the strong brand, deep entrepreneurial relationships, and the extensive network of experts, investors, mentors built by Springboard Enterprises during the past 19 years.
Since 2000, Kay has served as Chairman of Springboard Enterprises, where under her leadership, the venture-catalyst accelerator has been bringing women founders leading transformational businesses to full parity in raising capital. The value of Springboard Enterprises has been validated by a strong 19-year track record of success of $9.5 billion capital raised with 190 exits and 19 IPOs. Companies in the portfolio include technology and life sciences. In 2014, Ms. Koplovitz co-founded the New York Fashion Tech Lab bringing promising technology companies in collaboration with the fashion and retail industry.
In 1998, President Clinton appointed Kay to chair the bipartisan National Women's Business Council (NWBC). Her research found that $104 billion in venture capital was going over the transom, but only 1.7 percent was going to women. Kay discovered that there were few venture capital and funding options for women entrepreneurs. VCs in Silicon Valley told Kay they had never seen any women come to pitch them. Subsequently, she was compelled to use this platform to launch Springboard Enterprises, t0 select, train to raise capital, and present to the VC community.
She is the author of Bold Women, Big Ideas: Learning to Play the High-Risk Entrepreneurial Game, a book she wrote to inform and inspire women entrepreneurs. She more recently published Been There, Run That, an anthology of best practices from Springboard Enterprises’ expert network of thought leaders.
Kay currently serves on the Boards of Ion Media Networks and Veniam, previously chaired Liz Claiborne (later Kate Spade) and served on the boards of CA Technologies, Time Inc, Oracle, Nabisco, Instinet, and General RE. She also has been a long-term trustee for The International Tennis Hall of Fame and trustee (currently emeritus) of The Paley Center for Media.
Ms. Koplovitz holds an M.A. degree in Communications from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 1968 as a National Merit Scholar. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin in 1967, and sits on the Board of Visitors College of Letters and Science as Trustee. Ms. Koplovitz also holds honorary doctorate degrees from Emerson College, Michigan State University, St. John’s University, and Canisius College.
Kay is a speaker, thought leader, called to deliver opening remarks, talk on panels, participate in fireside chats, and deliver keynote speeches. She is an expert media contributor and is frequently interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., CNBC, MSNBC, Bloomberg TV and Financial Times.
- The Art of Corporate Board Governance
- Constructing an Effective Corporate Board
- Demystifying the Process of Raising Capital
- The Power of Human Capital/Creating a Human Capital Ecosystem
- Adapting to the Changing Media Landscape
- Breaking the Glass Ceiling - Advancing Women in Business
- Harnessing the Entrepreneurial Spirit
- The Power of Innovation and Ideas
- Inspiring Leadership
- Women’s Leadership
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