Haas MBA Makes The San Francisco Business Times 40-Under-40 List
The San Francisco Business Times released its third annual 40-under-40 award winners—a compilation of young CEOs, entrepreneurs and top executives making a difference in the local business community. UC Berkeley Haas School of Business had four alumni made the list, including one Haas MBA.
Danae Ringelmann, MBA 08, is the co-founder and chief customer officer of Indiegogo, the world’s largest global crowd funding platform.Ringelmann’s initial idea was to set up an independent film investment fund. When she came to Haas, the concept was reimagined into IndieGoGo, and along with Eric Schell, MBA 08, and his former colleague, Slava Rubin, plans for a social marketplace where independent filmmakers could interact with fans, raise money, and build a following where spawned.
“Just weeks after I pitched it to VCs in my social entrepreneurship class, we went to Sundance 2007 with a one-line description,” Ringelmann said. “One year later, we were back at Sundance to launch.”
The website allows filmmakers to post free project profiles and then “sell” production perks. These incentives include anything from a film credit, access to the set, an extra role, or even a character name. In return, IndieGoGo takes a 9-percent cut of funds raised.
IndieGoGo has gone on to become the most trafficked site for independent film funding, showcasing thousands of projects in over two hundred different countries.
“We’re not here to replace other funding channels, but to complement them,” Ringelmann said. “The minute someone gives even $1, they are emotionally connected, and they become your best promoters.”
