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Tech Finance

Ann Winblad

Ann Winblad is the co-founder and CEO of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, a $200-million venture capital fund focused exclusively on software investments. A well-known and respected software industry entrepreneur and technology leader, Winbland has been named one of Upside's 100 most influential people in the digital age and one of Vanity Fair's top 50 leaders of the "New Establishment." She has also been cited by Business Week as one of its elite 25 power brokers in Silicon Valley and by Time Digital as one of its 50 Cyber Elite.

Winblad has over 20 years' experience in the software industry. She began her career as a programmer and in 1976, used a $500 investment to co-found Open Systems Inc., a top-selling accounting software company. She operated Open Systems profitably for six years and then sold it for over $15 million.

Prior to co-founding Hummer Winblad, Winblad served as a strategy consultant for prestigious clients such as IBM, Microsoft, Price Waterhouse and numerous start-ups. She also co-authored the book "Object-Oriented Software" and has written articles for numerous publications, including Red Herring and Forbes ASAP.

Winblad has served as a director of start-up and public companies and currently serves as a director of eHow, Dean & Deluca, Liquid Audio, Net Perceptions, Rivals, The Knot and MyPrimeTime.com. She is also a member of the board of trustees of the University of St. Thomas and is an advisor to numerous entrepreneur groups.

Winblad received a B.A. in mathematics and business administration and a M.A. in education and international economics from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Also: Read the transcript of the GirlGeeks chat with Ann Winblad.