CARMEN’S CAREER JOURNEY

CARMEN’S MISSION

Carmen’s initial interest in investing was born out of the knowledge that her parents, who at one point in their lives lost everything, subsequently managed to re-create their fortunes. However, her true motivation to this day, and the reason Carmen has risked all of her capital, is her awareness of the ripple effect her investments are able to create.

From 2 of her Cabus employees being enabled to buy their own homes, to 50 millionaires being created by the sale of her stake in Net-a-Porter in 2010 and approximately 20,000 jobs being created by the companies she has invested in over the years, the impact her investments have had on other people’s lives is of highest significance to Carmen.

After 28 years of supporting start-ups, Carmen believes that good, disruptive ideas never die. Even if the experiment fails, the idea endures, as does the lesson one learns in the process. Whilst no longer investing in new start-ups, Carmen actively mentors progressive founders, entrepreneurs and investors, and hopes to inspire them to build a future where consumers are able to make more informed purchases and in which the value of owning things will take on more significant meaning.

As an independent female investor, Carmen understands the unique barriers facing female founder-entrepreneurs. She now devotes much of her time to mentoring female founders, assisting them in becoming the executive leaders they’re capable of being by imparting her advice on running sustainable and profitable businesses.

“I learn from mistakes, forgive and restart. I don’t see failure and success the way that they are often perceived in society – I see them as part of a journey. The way I invest and the way I take risks is experimental. I always want to learn.”

— FT How To Spend It, January 2021

Carmen lends her leadership, advocacy, and vital resources to a number of non-profit organizations, helping them to partner with governments as well as public and private sectors so they can achieve long-term, sustainable impact.

As part of Carmen’s commitment to transforming the futures of disadvantaged communities in her native Latin America by increasing access to education, she works with Glasswing International – a non-profit that is present in Latin America, the Caribbean, and NYC. In 2018 Carmen joined Glasswing’s Board of Directors and helped to fund the launch of the organization’s first educational program in the US, aimed at integrating newly arrived migrant-youth into society. In September of 2021, Carmen was the honoree at Glasswing International’s Annual Gala and helped to raise $1.6 million to further their urgent work.

A member of the WWF-US National Council, Carmen promotes and raises funds to accelerate conservation projects such as Bhutan For Life. This innovative financing project will safeguard 5 million acres of protected land and wildlife over a span of 14 years. Having formed a strong personal attachment to Bhutan, Carmen is also part of the Bhutan Nuns Foundation advisory committee.

Having been born and raised in Venezuela, Carmen has wanted to make a difference in Latin America ever since she left her home country. She donates to a number of organizations fighting against the violation of human rights and who are committed to helping those living under political oppression. Moved by the unlawful arrest of the young violinist Willy Arteaga during the 2017 protests in Caracas, Carmen worked with the Oslo Freedom Forum on funding to help release him, then implemented a funding program to help him resettle and continue his music studies.

In 2025 Carmen established the Carmen Busquets Foundation to recognize fashion, art and design as agents of change – advancing projects that promote craftsmanship, culture, and sustainability.  