Susan Paley

Susan Paley is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25+ years of experience leading teams and driving innovation to bring disruptive technologies into consumer markets. Her entrepreneurial journey began with a UCLA technology spinout that was the first in-vehicle digital media platform integrated into aftermarket and OEM automotive systems. There Susan completed multi- million-dollar licensing deals with Kenwood, VW, Audi, and GM and designed the first automotive digital content licensing model, inking deals with Capcom, Universal, Audible and eMusic to offer in- vehicle digital games, music, and movies for purchase. The company was acquired by Harman International. At Harman International Susan was responsible for identifying and developing new markets for global brands across the Harman consumer products portfolio that would resonate with the youth market. In response to this goal, Susan created a new category of co-branded audio products through a joint venture with youth lifestyle brand Quicksilver Inc., driving $40M in revenue in its first year. After her work at Harman, Susan went back to the startup world as the initial employee and CEO of Beats By Dr. Dre. At Beats, Susan guided all aspects of the company’s unparalleled growth from both a strategic and operational vantage, making it the #1 headphone globally and the fastest-growing brand in consumer electronics. Susan also spearheaded the development of “Beats Audio,” a proprietary audio technology deployed in millions of mobile phones, automobiles, and PCs through licensing partnerships with HTC, Chrysler/Fiat, and HP respectively. The licensing business netted over $60m in high margin revenue in the first two years and drove hundreds of millions of dollars in marketing commitments from the brand partners. Susan also oversaw the initial 350m HTC investment in Beats and built the engineering and product development teams at Beats. Today Susan is a partner in Conduit Venture Labs, a company creation fund whose mission it is to create disruptive businesses to advance the health and performance of the planet and those who call it home by providing the next wave of entrepreneurs the advantage of a venture studio focused on AI/ML for the real world. At Conduit Susan works with internal companies and those within the Conduit network to de-risk development, manufacturing and commercialization to help insure successful outcomes. Additionally Susan is a member of several boards, advises companies and is active in the startup ecosystem in Los Angeles. Susan mentors at Techstars, works with Capstar ventures and sits on the advisory board of Exos, the global leader in Human performance innovation, training the world’s top athletes as well as providing health and wellness platforms to companies like Google, Intel, JP Morgan, and Pfizer. Outside of work Susan can be found on a beach volleyball court, skiing, hiking with family and multiple rescue dogs or searching for a great cup of coffee.