Cornerstone Studio CEO Lisette Titre-Montgomery: Finding the Right VC Partner is Like Finding a Marriage

Securing venture capital support for a studio can be a complex and challenging process, particularly when seeking a partner that aligns with the studio's values and culture. This difficulty is further exacerbated when the studio's founders belong to demographic groups that have historically been underrepresented in the investment landscape. Lisette Titre-Montgomery, co-founder and CEO of Cornerstone Interactive Studios, has been navigating this landscape as she and her team search for funding. Since launching her studio, Titre-Montgomery has been learning the ropes of her new executive role and has found the experience to be overwhelmingly positive, with support from her peers and colleagues being particularly encouraging. However, when it comes to finding venture capital partners, Titre-Montgomery notes that the process can be daunting, with many potential partners failing to look beyond surface-level demographics. Alongside her co-founders, Raymond Graham and Marcus Montgomery, Titre-Montgomery brings decades of experience in interactive entertainment and the games industry to the table, yet they continue to face hurdles in securing validation from VC firms. The CEO attributes this to bias and racism, emphasizing that the right partner must be able to look beyond these superficial barriers and understand the studio's vision and values. Titre-Montgomery is resolute in her pursuit of the right VC partner, likening the process to finding a marriage and emphasizing the importance of trust and shared goals. With a keen awareness of the current economic landscape and the shrinking investment pool, Titre-Montgomery remains undeterred, focusing on building a studio that will appeal to a diverse consumer base and create a culture that welcomes underrepresented groups. Through her work with Gameheads, an organization that helps low-income youth and youth of color secure jobs in the industry, Titre-Montgomery is committed to creating positive change and fostering a more inclusive games industry. Despite the challenges she has faced, Titre-Montgomery remains optimistic about the future, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and the need to build safe and supportive environments within the industry. As she continues to knock on doors and pitch to potential partners, Titre-Montgomery remains steadfast in her commitment to finding the right partner and building a studio that will make a lasting impact on the games industry.