Paula is responsible for ensuring that entrepreneurs receive the consulting assistance and community support they need to grow successful businesses.   Paula joined Main Street Launch after leading the Alameda County Small Business Development Center. Paula has over 20 years experience working with entrepreneurs. She has also helped generate over $80 million in returns to investors. As a previous venture capital investor and investment banker, Paula has in-depth knowledge regarding what it takes for an entrepreneur to be successful getting a loan or an investment. One of her core competencies is helping clients build financial models and making their business plans “capital ready”.

 

Previously, Ms. Groves was co-founding partner of Axxon Capital, a venture capital firm that invested in technology oriented companies led by women and minority entrepreneurs. Ms. Groves has also worked on Wall Street for First Boston, in advertising for Leo Burnett and in Hollywood for 20th Century Fox Film. Ms. Groves has a BA from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.