Ice Breakers

Ice Breakers with Dana de la Vega

March 15, 2022

Dana de la Vega is VP of Strategic Management at Kumu, a Philippine live streaming and social app that raised a $74M Series C led by General Atlantic last year. Before Kumu, she managed Expansions and Emerging Products at Instacart.


👋🏼  How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I work with investors and other cross-functional leaders to elevate Kumu from just a live streaming app to being the most fun, authentic, and positive online space where Filipinos all over the world can make friends and be entertained.


🧐  What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

Kumu actually started as a messaging app with ambitions to be the "next Filipino Viber"!

🏆  What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Being gifted box seat tickets to a Warriors game by investors! Kidding aside, I'm grateful for my collective journey - I've been fortunate enough to learn from a range of small to unicorn-stage tech companies, across multiple industries, in Asia and the US #WomenInTech


🔍  What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?

I'm always happy to hear about more companies seeking to democratize financial services and financial freedom, especially in developing markets. That being said, I would be remiss not to highlight recent news about the Philippines having the highest NFT adoption rate!


💼  What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

Be picky with your primary people - your immediate support system, your co-founders, your angel & early investors, and your first hires play immeasurable roles in your company's future.


🗣  What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?

Psychology tests! What's your MBTI?


🎥  What's your favorite movie/TV show?

Movie: Parent Trap, Show: Shark Tank


🍨  What's your go-to ice cream flavor?

Häagen Dazs Belgian Chocolate!

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