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

Securing venture capital support can be a daunting task for any studio, but it becomes even more challenging when searching for a partner that shares your vision and values. This is particularly true for studios founded by individuals from underrepresented demographic groups. Lisette Titre-Montgomery, co-founder and CEO of Cornerstone Interactive Studios, has been navigating this landscape as she searches for funding for her company. With decades of experience in the interactive entertainment and games industry, Titre-Montgomery and her co-founders, Raymond Graham and Marcus Montgomery, possess a valuable asset. However, they face unique hurdles, including bias and racism, which can make it difficult to secure investments. Titre-Montgomery notes that her experiences are reflected in a recent report highlighting the limited investments received by women-led firms. She emphasizes that finding the right VC partner is crucial, likening it to a marriage that requires trust, mutual understanding, and shared values. The CEO is determined to find a partner that aligns with her studio's vision and culture, rather than settling for investments with strings attached. Her goal is to create a studio that appeals to a diverse consumer base, particularly women, Black, and Brown people who have been alienated by toxic communities. Titre-Montgomery believes that building a studio with a strong foundation and a clear vision is key to attracting the right partners and creating a successful business. She remains focused on creating good games, building a pipeline for change, and fostering a more inclusive games industry. Despite the challenges, Titre-Montgomery is undeterred and will continue to search for the right partners, emphasizing that she would rather take good money than bad money. With a talented team in place, the CEO is confident that the right partnership will come along, allowing Cornerstone Studios to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the industry.