Starting a new company to pursue international oil exploration requires large quantities of courage, skill and capital. Is this an appropriate realm for venture capitalists?
Fall 2009
Professor Harris joined Warburg Pincus in 1983 and became a Managing Director in 1988. His investment activities have covered a wide variety of geographies, stages of life of enterprises from start-ups to buyouts, and industries, including: information technology, energy, and industrial products. He worked in London from 1991-1994 as the senior partner in Warburg Pincus' European venture investment activities. Currently, he oversees the firm's energy investment activity having helped develop this practice since 1995, and is a member of the firm's Executive Management Group. Current company Board seats include Knoll, Electromagnetic GeoServices A/S, Kosmos Energy, Laredo Petroleum, Osum Oil Sands, Sheridan Production Partners, Spectraseis AG, and Competitive Power Ventures. He is past Chairman of the National Venture Capital Association, and currently Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Cranbrook Educational Community, and a member of the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital.