ABOUT US

Sara Conte, Managing Director

Sara Givens Conte started SGC Ventures to help companies discover growth opportunities and create efficiencies. Currently SGC Ventures is focused on working with private-equity, enterprise tech and other high-growth companies at important cross-roads entering/exiting digital investments and niche industries.  

Recent Projects

Click below for more information.

Background 

Sara's background in technology, corporate development and strategic planning give her a broad perspective and skills. 
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Strategy and Transformation 

Sara Conte was co-founder of PrestoBox, Brand Genie
Led the Strategy and Transformation team at VMware, overseeing a 500-person division with $13 billion transactions across Global Licensing, Sales Operations, SaaS Finance, and other key functions. Included end-to-end program management, driving the achievement of strategic objectives and OKRs through detailed planning, cadenced execution, and continuous improvement. Efforts resulted in innovative self-service solutions, operational cost savings, and a transformed data access framework, earning recognition in VMware's Annual Report.

Co-Founder of a Digital Startup

Sara Conte was co-founder of PrestoBox, Brand Genie
Co-founded Brand Genie (formerly PrestoBox) in 2012. The company was first to market in automating branding for small businesses. Sara's experience as President of this venture gives her an entrepreneurial perspective that is helpful when working with portfolio management teams.

​Management Consulting

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Strategic consulting, focusing on delivering powerful market insights and innovative strategies to leading global companies. Included analysis, strategy formulation, and advising senior executives on critical business decisions to shape their competitive landscapes. 

Investment Banking

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Sara Conte began her career working in investment banking at JP Morgan. Assisted senior bankers in financial transactions and strategic advisory services. Conducted analysis, prepared presentations, and collaborated cross-functionally for project success.

Business Education

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Graduate from Harvard Business School with a focus on lifelong learning and leadership. Active in the HBS Community Partners Program and continued education with certifications in "Competing in the Age of AI."​

Corporate Strategy and Development

Sara Conte was an internal management consultant at NTR.
Managed the strategic planning and corporate development functions for  NTR, a private-equity company in Europe, and their subsidiary company Greenstar.

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Active in the Community

Sara is active in supporting technical innovation for economic development, mentoring entrepreneurs, and giving back to the community.

Board of Directors

Technology Association of Oregon
​Sara Conte recently completed a six year term on the Board of Directors of the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO).
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The Technology Association of Oregon is dedicated to bringing together some of the brightest minds in the technology industry. The largest professional technology association in the Northwest, the TAO is comprised of over 350 companies in Oregon and SW Washington.

Speaker, Mentor, Instructor

Lewis & Clark College, Center for Entrepreneurship
Sara Conte is a speaker and mentor for the Lewis & Clark Winterim program. She also serves as an adjunct professor for the "Innovation" class in the Center for Entrepreneurship.

​The Winterim program at Lewis & Clark encourages students to explore how innovators and entrepreneurs think. Each year the curriculum focuses on how to discover specific skills and tools that help transform ideas into reality. Students meet and learn from experts in the field of entrepreneurship in this weeklong workshop.

Judge and Mentor

Startup Weekend
​Sara Conte is a judge and mentor for Startup Weekend.

Startup Weekend is a 54 hour event that brings together designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and experts from all domains to do amazing things. All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and embark on a three-day frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation. The weekend culminates with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback.

Judge

New Venture Championship
Sara Conte is a judge for the New Venture Championship, hosted annually by University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business.

The New Venture Championship (NVC) is the original six-round business competition for graduate students. NVC has evolved into the premiere international entrepreneurial investment competition since it was founded in 1992. 
NVC’s mission is to develop skilled and knowledgeable entrepreneurial leaders who are able to present their ideas in concise and thoughtful ways, be open to construction, and adapt to the ever-changing business environment.

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