Founders don’t need a spreadsheet. They need a partner who helps them take smart risks and stay in control while they grow.
Dave helps founders navigate the financial realities of building a company from the ground up. As CFO of YL Ventures, he manages the firm’s financial operations while advising portfolio companies on budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and capital strategy, particularly as they prepare for scale and later-stage growth.
His approach blends operational discipline with a deep understanding of the founder mindset, guiding founders towards bold decisions without losing sight of financial fundamentals. Whether helping manage cash flow, plan their follow-on funding, or adapt to new regulatory environments, he provides clear, practical guidance that keeps companies moving forward.
Dave also works closely with the firm’s LPs, helping align investor expectations with startup goals. For him, the role is about maintaining financial clarity on all sides, especially when market conditions shift.
Dave discovered venture capital by accident. As a junior auditor, he sat in on a valuation meeting with Lightspeed Venture Partners and knew immediately this was the world he wanted to be part of. That early exposure led to a career that spanned audit, private equity, and venture. He managed finance and accounting teams at a leading biotech-focused VC fund and served as CFO at a growth-stage private equity firm, where he redesigned financial policies and processes from the ground up.
He joined YL Ventures to work even more closely with founders and saw what true partnership looks like - providing not just capital but day-to-day strategic support.
In every founder conversation, Dave focuses on building a solid financial foundation. Whether navigating a crunch or preparing for a raise, his goal is to help startups grow with confidence and control. His work is grounded in discipline, clarity, and the belief that great companies are built by staying ready for what others don’t plan for.
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