Miles Spencer
Encyclopedia
Miles Spencer is a prolific angel investor
, media entrepreneur
and explorer. He is best known for his role as co-host and co-creator of MoneyHunt, a reality based show where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. MoneyHunt was distributed to PBS stations in the US beginning 1997 and overseas beginning 1999. Spencer and co-host Cliff Ennico are known for their direct, fast paced questioning and constructive criticism of entrepreneurs. The two developed the program after a classroom experience at a local continuing education class. The show is considered the original program of the genre, and has been copied in several markets worldwide, most notably Dragons' Den
. Ironically, Spencer readily admits in his book “MoneyHunt http://www.amazon.com/dp/0066619955/” to having been inspired by “Enterprise”, a French show hosted by Bernard Tapie
, while he attended school there in the early eighties as an exchange student from Choate Rosemary Hall
.
Spencer’s investing career has centered on consumer products, media, online and mobile activities. Since 2003, these investments have been made together with a small group of angels and through Vaux les Ventures, his personal investment vehicle. Previously, investments were made through Capital Express, a private equity firm based in New York where Mr. Spencer was a one of four Members. Capital Express’ most notable investment was Register.com
. Vaux's most notable investments to date are Operative http://www.operative.com, Mojiva and Cellufun
. Vaux’s investment criteria http://www.vauxlesventures.com/criteria are published on its website.
Spencer is also well known as the co-founder of Kayak for a Cause
, an annual charity event that raises funds for local and national charities. On a dare in 2000, Spencer and Scott Carlin kayaked from Norwalk, CT
, across Long Island Sound
to the Huntington area. More recently, up to 300 kayakers follow Spencer and Carlin in the “Adventure with Purpose” and over 5,000 people per year donate funds. Donations are given away to local and national charities.
A second adventure, whereby Spencer and Wellington Jones have trekked 1100 miles (1,770.3 km) through the deserts of the Middle East
to raise funds for peace was dubbed “Lawrence on Arabia”. The trek lasted 26 days and retraced T. E. Lawrence
's steps as told in “Seven Pillars of Wisdom
”. The trek served as creative inspiration for a West End Play in development, titled A Line in the Sand by playwright A. C Grayling and Producer Nelle Nugent
.
Angel investor
An angel investor or angel is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity...
, media entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and explorer. He is best known for his role as co-host and co-creator of MoneyHunt, a reality based show where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. MoneyHunt was distributed to PBS stations in the US beginning 1997 and overseas beginning 1999. Spencer and co-host Cliff Ennico are known for their direct, fast paced questioning and constructive criticism of entrepreneurs. The two developed the program after a classroom experience at a local continuing education class. The show is considered the original program of the genre, and has been copied in several markets worldwide, most notably Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den is a series of reality television programmes featuring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas in order to secure investment finance from a panel of venture capitalists. The show originated in Japan as "Manē no Tora"...
. Ironically, Spencer readily admits in his book “MoneyHunt http://www.amazon.com/dp/0066619955/” to having been inspired by “Enterprise”, a French show hosted by Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie is a French businessman, politician and occasional actor, singer, and TV host. He was Ministre de la Ville in the government of Pierre Bérégovoy, a businessman specializing in recovery for bankrupted companies, among which Adidas is the most famous ; and owner of sports teams...
, while he attended school there in the early eighties as an exchange student from Choate Rosemary Hall
Choate Rosemary Hall
Choate Rosemary Hall is a private, college-preparatory, coeducational boarding school located in Wallingford, Connecticut...
.
Spencer’s investing career has centered on consumer products, media, online and mobile activities. Since 2003, these investments have been made together with a small group of angels and through Vaux les Ventures, his personal investment vehicle. Previously, investments were made through Capital Express, a private equity firm based in New York where Mr. Spencer was a one of four Members. Capital Express’ most notable investment was Register.com
Register.com
Register.com was founded as a provider of Internet services by brothers Richard and Peter Forman and Dan Levine in 1994. In 1999, the company officially changed its name to Register.com....
. Vaux's most notable investments to date are Operative http://www.operative.com, Mojiva and Cellufun
Cellufun
Cellufun is a social gaming community accessible from any mobile device, from the latest smartphones and tablets to the smallest feature phones. Cellufun is different from most other social networks, as it is anonymous, with users creating avatars to represent themselves. This has resulted in...
. Vaux’s investment criteria http://www.vauxlesventures.com/criteria are published on its website.
Spencer is also well known as the co-founder of Kayak for a Cause
Kayak for a Cause
Kayak for a Cause is a non-profit kayaking fundraiser that takes place annually on Long Island Sound on the eastern coast of the United States...
, an annual charity event that raises funds for local and national charities. On a dare in 2000, Spencer and Scott Carlin kayaked from Norwalk, CT
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
, across Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
to the Huntington area. More recently, up to 300 kayakers follow Spencer and Carlin in the “Adventure with Purpose” and over 5,000 people per year donate funds. Donations are given away to local and national charities.
A second adventure, whereby Spencer and Wellington Jones have trekked 1100 miles (1,770.3 km) through the deserts of the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
to raise funds for peace was dubbed “Lawrence on Arabia”. The trek lasted 26 days and retraced T. E. Lawrence
T. E. Lawrence
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence, CB, DSO , known professionally as T. E. Lawrence, was a British Army officer renowned especially for his liaison role during the Arab Revolt against Ottoman Turkish rule of 1916–18...
's steps as told in “Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the autobiographical account of the experiences of British soldier T. E. Lawrence , while serving as a liaison officer with rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks of 1916 to 1918....
”. The trek served as creative inspiration for a West End Play in development, titled A Line in the Sand by playwright A. C Grayling and Producer Nelle Nugent
Nelle Nugent
Nelle Nugent is an independent Broadway producer of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. She has won numerous awards including the Tony Award. She has overseen productions such as Amadeus, Morning's at Seven, The Elephant Man, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and Dracula...
.