Loading people...
Dan Sommer is a Partner at Founder Collective and Managing Director at 10XImpact.co, based in New York City. He previously served as the Founder and CEO of Trilogy Education Services, an education technology startup that he scaled to 50 university partners, 2,500 employees, and over $100 million in annual sales before its $750 million acquisition by 2U in 2019. Following the acquisition, Sommer worked as a General Manager at 2U and previously held executive roles including President of Global Education at Zeta and Founder of Caridan Marketing Labs. He began his early career at Digitas and Sapient, and holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a master's degree from New York University. Sommer currently focuses on seed-stage venture capital investments and advisory roles within the education technology, workforce development, and B2B software sectors.
Dan Sommer is a distinguished Partner at Founder Collective, a highly respected seed-stage venture capital firm that prides itself on being built by founders for founders. At Founder Collective, Dan plays a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing the next generation of groundbreaking technology companies, providing crucial early-stage capital and strategic guidance.
His investment focus areas are sharply defined, reflecting his deep understanding of enterprise software and emerging technological trends. Dan primarily seeks out opportunities in B2B SaaS (Software as a Service), fintech, and developer tools. He is also keenly interested in companies shaping the future of work and those building foundational technology infrastructure. His approach is rooted in a belief that strong product-market fit and exceptional founding teams are key to long-term success, and he actively partners with entrepreneurs who demonstrate these qualities.
Before joining Founder Collective, Dan Sommer built an impressive career that uniquely positions him as an empathetic and insightful investor. He is a co-founder of Localytics, a mobile app analytics and engagement platform that achieved significant success before its acquisition by Upland Software. This firsthand experience as a founder provides him with invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a startup from the ground up. Prior to his entrepreneurial venture, Dan honed his product management skills at Google, where he gained extensive experience in developing and scaling innovative technology products.
Dan's operational background allows him to offer more than just capital; he provides strategic mentorship, drawing on his experiences in product development, market entry, and scaling operations. He understands the intricacies of product-led growth and the importance of a robust go-to-market strategy for early-stage companies. While specific individual investments are often a collaborative effort at Founder Collective, Dan's influence is evident in the firm's portfolio companies that align with his expertise in enterprise software and developer-centric solutions. He is dedicated to supporting founders who are building the essential tools and platforms that will power the next wave of technological innovation, making him a sought-after partner for ambitious entrepreneurs in the seed stage ecosystem.
Through his work at Founder Collective, Dan Sommer continues to be a significant force in early-stage venture capital, committed to empowering founders and fostering the growth of impactful technology companies.
Dan Sommer is a Partner at Founder Collective, a prominent seed-stage venture capital firm. He is also a successful entrepreneur, having co-founded Localytics, and previously worked in product management at Google.
Dan Sommer primarily invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on B2B SaaS (Software as a Service), fintech, developer tools, and companies shaping the future of work.
Dan Sommer works as a Partner at Founder Collective, a leading seed-stage venture capital firm based in Cambridge, MA, and New York, NY.