Dave McClure - AngelList

I invest in 100 startups @ $25-$250K a year

How I like to add value

My strengths are in product and marketing, also identifying core business metrics. I have a strong background in internet and online marketing in a variety of areas, direct experience in developer marketing and platforms, and some product management experience. I started out as an engineer / developer and have written code, altho that was now some time ago (late 80's / early 90's). I have experience in consumer financial services (worked at PayPal, invested in Mint, Credit Karma, many others). I have an extensive network of contacts, both with investors and entrepreneurs as well as potential employees. I have a modest following of geeks, entrepreneurs, and investors on my blog and other social networks & media platforms (~10-20K monthly blog readers, ~50K twitter followers, etc)... it's relatively easy for me to help on PR / promotion to a broad audience of geeks. I'm pretty good at writing pithy headlines and tweets, and some people say i swear a lot.

What I'm looking for

Markets

Consumer Internet

Enterprise Software

Financial Services

Information Technology

Cloud Computing

Lead Generation

Sales and Marketing

Location Based Services

Mobile Commerce

Social Commerce

Social Media Platforms

Small and Medium Businesses

Bridging Online and Offline

Email Newsletters

Quantified Self

Locations

Southern California

Northern California

What I've done

Founder

500 Startups (Fund)

Aslan Computing

Investor

500 Startups (Fund)

Massive Joe Studios

Commagere Ventures

Culture Kitchen

Tinfoil Security

HighScore House

Wildfire Interactive

Bionic Panda Games

Advisor

Commagere Ventures

Culture Kitchen

Employee

500 Startups (Fund)

Aslan Computing

Credentials

QUALIFIED

An accredited U.S. investor

REVIEWED

42 out of 43 recommended Dave

ACTIVE

189 confirmed investments in popular companies on AngelList

“new batch @500 Startups pitch decks: http://slideshare.net/500st... (Demo Day NYC Feb 1st @General Assembly http://plancast.com/p/9aef)”

7 days ago

Employee

500 Startups (Fund)

Seed fund & accelerator focused on design, dat...
Investor

Slideshare
Investor

Twilio
Employee

Mint

43 Reviews

12456 Followers

2534 Following

64 Intros

Reviews

42 out of 43 people recommended Dave.

Interested, decisive and a lot of fun. Hard to catch at times but really cares

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
One of the best you can ask for. Dave's network (500Startups) is INVALUABLE

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave the man is hard to get ahold of. In my experience, he's good for introductions, but not a whole lot else. That said, the 500 Startups email list is PURE GOLD. Absolutely one of my favorite and most utilized resources as an entrepreneur.

Also, FYI, when Dave says he'll invest, expect it to take 2-10 weeks for him to get the money to you. Yes, really. #500Promises

Bottom Line: If you're not part of the 500S network, you're missing out.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave makes fast decisions and gives no bullshit feedback on product, team, and market. He can be hard to get in touch with (text seems to work best for us) but once you get his attention he'll engage wherever you need him to.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave goes out of his way to help the people he invests in.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Don't be fooled by his colorful rants and common use of the F word. Dave is a very nice person. He's well connected, tells it as it is (which gets him in trouble sometimes), and most importantly, he makes his own decisions so he's often the first investor in a lot of startups.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
There is no one else like Dave. Sure, due to his constant hustling, he's not the easiest to get ahold of...but he's a real person and much easier to get ahold than too-cool-for-school-VCs that don't spend 1/10th of the time helping out their portfolio companies. Dave is growing an ecosystem, and the support network around 500 Startups is second to none. Dave is fantastic, and he's there when you need him, but more importantly, getting involved in the network will be a huge boon for any entrepreneur.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave saw the value of what we were doing before anybody. He's very generous with his time and has provided great advice -- even prior to signing a check. We're lucky to count him among CodeLesson's seed investors.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
I'm kind of an asshole, but occasionally I have a few good ideas, and my feedback is honest if not useful. Because of a very large portfolio (~150 currently), my time with any one founder/company is limited, but when I pay attention I dig in. Most likely the network of people & resources we offer at 500 Startups is worth far more than my individual skills... except of course for the swearing & red bold fonts. Caveat Emptor.

— anonymous
He's awesome.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave loves entrepreneurs and has incredibly good instincts when it comes to deciding who to back. Because he is spread thin I have learned to make infrequent and specific asks, to which he has always replied quickly. The day to day value comes from the team he has in place and the 500 startups network of founders and mentors. If you want in, get at least 2-3 (more is better) people already in the network to commit even small amounts.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
500Startups is an amazing resource as a network. Dave isn't so bad either.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
This is the hardest working man in the angel business. Although he has no time, he always makes time for his investments. And he genuinely cares about his companies.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
hard working and large rolodex

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
I wish they could replicate him. I wish they could make him President. nuff' said.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
One of the most well connected guys I've ever met. He has helped us tremendously.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave is a great investor for any startup! He is fast to decide on investments and easy to work with thought the funding process.

— Co-investor in company Dave invested in
Dave is awesome! Great investor -- makes fast decisions, straight-shooter about his thoughts on your company, and always makes the time even though he's so busy. Has made so many intros for me and has given me great advice. Also, he is the most honest person in this business -- very upfront about his motivations, biases, and potential conflicts of interest.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
dave is a genuine person. hes smart and im honestly surprised more people dont stalk him for his advice.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave is incredible. I don't know how anyone can work 34 jobs and still manage to drink himself silly. Seriously though, he's hard-working and massively useful to each of his startups; he genuinely cares. A bit tough to get a hold of, but when you can, do it.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave is a startup guy's startup guy. Don't let his rockstar reputation and personality scare you away-- he's very real and "<expletive> awesome>. I couldn't wish his success on a better person.

— Founder of a company Dave took an intro to
He invested in us.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Tremendously responsive, has an unmatched network, understands technology.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
500 Mafia is an incredible network for anyone to be a part of.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
The value he adds is many magnitudes larger than the money he invests.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Generally awesome guy. Gives us the time of day and is super useful with advice and connections despite having 200+ investments.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave is super smart and has a wealth of experience and connections that can help you. People will invest in you just on the basis that he has.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
simply brilliant on all level. loyal, hard working and driven by results. @jason calacanis

— Co-investor in company Dave invested in
Dave's energy is a constant inspiration to me. The way he manages to find time advising our company and helping us grow is fascinating - and we wouldn't be where we are today without him and @500 crew.

— Founder of a company Dave invested in
Dave is SO awesome. What a great marketing guy - AND he works more hours than any startup founder I know - including me!

— Founder of a company Dave invested in

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