David Gardner

Cary, North Carolina, United States Contact Info
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About

David Gardner is a serial entrepreneur, writer, adviser, and early-stage fund manager…

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Experience & Education

  • Cofounders Capital

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Volunteer Experience

  • Opportunity International Graphic

    Governor | Ambassador Council

    Opportunity International

    - Present 9 years 3 months

    Poverty Alleviation

    For over 40 years OI has been making micro-loans to the most deserving of 3rd world entrepreneurs helping them to transform their communities through the goods and services they make available. OI has maintained a phenomenal 98% loan repayment ratio making it one of the few self-sustaining charities around the world. Charity work can often be a series of unsustainable handouts perpetuating the victim-cycle but OI is different. I've seen the amazing creativity and energy released through…

    For over 40 years OI has been making micro-loans to the most deserving of 3rd world entrepreneurs helping them to transform their communities through the goods and services they make available. OI has maintained a phenomenal 98% loan repayment ratio making it one of the few self-sustaining charities around the world. Charity work can often be a series of unsustainable handouts perpetuating the victim-cycle but OI is different. I've seen the amazing creativity and energy released through empowering entrepreneurs. OI is a charity that I can really get behind because it works.

    David speaks at annual OI conference in Washington DC.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLwD77uy_g0

    David talks about "intelligent giving" at his annual OI dinner in NC.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g871JAhveW8&feature=em-upload_owner

  • Member Board Of Trustees

    Kenan Institute for Science, Education and Technology

    - Present 9 years 7 months

    Science and Technology

    The mission of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology, & Science at North Carolina State University is to develop partnerships in basic research, education, commercialization and public policy with individuals and organizations dedicated to the advancement of science, engineering and technology as forces towards improving the economic and social well being of the nation and the world

  • NC State University Graphic

    Board of Advisers | Entrepreneurship Initiative

    NC State University

    - Present 8 years 6 months

    Education

    I am honored to support the exceptional work NCSU is doing in preparing and encouraging its students to be entrepreneurs. The majority of my portfolio companies have come from NCSU. I server on a number of boards including the Entrepreneur Initiative and Keenan Institute at NCSU for Science, Education and Technology. I also serve the Chancellor's Innovation Fund, Lulu Entrepreneur Games and the Miller Entrepreneurship Fellows Program/scholarship.

    www.ei.ncsu.edu

  • CED (Council for Entrepreneurial Development) Graphic

    Board Member / Executive Committee

    CED (Council for Entrepreneurial Development)

    - 2 years 3 months

    Economic Empowerment

    As the Triangle’s go-to entrepreneurial network for more than three decades, CED is dedicated to connecting and growing startups and businesses by cultivating a self-sustaining community of entrepreneurship in North Carolina and beyond.

  • Mentor

    Techstars Foundation

    - 7 months

    Economic Empowerment

    Techstars helps entrepreneurs succeed. Through the Techstars Worldwide Entrepreneur Network, founders and their teams connect with other entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, alumni, investors, community leaders, and corporate partners who will help their companies grow. Techstars operates four divisions: Techstars Startup Programs, Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Programs, Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships, and the Techstars Venture Capital Fund. Techstars Mentorship-Driven…

    Techstars helps entrepreneurs succeed. Through the Techstars Worldwide Entrepreneur Network, founders and their teams connect with other entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, alumni, investors, community leaders, and corporate partners who will help their companies grow. Techstars operates four divisions: Techstars Startup Programs, Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Programs, Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships, and the Techstars Venture Capital Fund. Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Program supercharges success and Techstars Startup Programs inspire, educate and connect entrepreneurs. Techstars Venture Capital Fund invests in the most innovative and disruptive Techstars companies to fuel their success. Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships helps brands create world-changing products and services. Techstars accelerator portfolio includes more than 1,000 companies with a market cap of $8.1 billion. www.techstars.com

  • Cary Chamber of Commerce Graphic

    Member of the Board

    Cary Chamber of Commerce

    - 3 years 1 month

    Economic Empowerment

    The Cary Chamber of Commerce serves as the unified business voice of the Cary area. It provides leadership to support and facilitate a thriving business environment. The Chamber believes that such an environment is characterized by the strength and growth of resident businesses, by the quality and stability of their work forces and by the attractiveness of our market to businesses whose presence would be a positive influence on our community.

  • North Carolina State University Graphic

    Chancellor’s Innovation Fund Selections Committee Member

    North Carolina State University

    - Present 9 years 7 months

    Science and Technology

    Established in 2010 by NC State the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund (CIF) is used for the development and advancement of ideas and discoveries made by NC State inventors. CIF awards of up to $75,000 are designed to support short-term (one year or less) commercially-focused research projects with the goal of enhancing the commercial potential for promising technologies. Better tests for Norovirus, safer cloud computing, lighter, stronger armor for soldiers, robotics that put a spring in your…

    Established in 2010 by NC State the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund (CIF) is used for the development and advancement of ideas and discoveries made by NC State inventors. CIF awards of up to $75,000 are designed to support short-term (one year or less) commercially-focused research projects with the goal of enhancing the commercial potential for promising technologies. Better tests for Norovirus, safer cloud computing, lighter, stronger armor for soldiers, robotics that put a spring in your step, faster download speeds for smartphones, brewing beer from newly discovered yeasts, and growing therapeutic lung stem cells to make breathing easier – these NC State technological breakthroughs are one step closer to becoming reality thanks to investments from the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund.

    https://research.ncsu.edu/ott/for-inventors/chancellors-innovation-fund/

  • RTP Capital Associates Graphic

    Board Member

    RTP Capital Associates

    - Present 11 years 2 months

    Economic Empowerment

    RTP Capital Associates is made up of dozens of active angel investors who meet regularly to pool their resources and expertise to fund and assist local start ups across several market sectors. The group supports local entrepreneurship and the educating of local angel investors.

  • Startup@WakeTech Advisory Board

    WakeTech Community College

    - Present 5 years

    Education

    As a part of the WakeTech Community Collee Business Center, Startup@WakeTech helps main street entrepreneurs evaluate and launch their first ventures providing free consulting, contacts and other resources throughout Wake Country, NC.

Publications

  • The StartUp Hats

    https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Hats-Master-Roles-Entrepreneur-ebook/dp/B00OKUDHC4

    The Startup Hats is a street-smart, practical, and entertaining guide to starting your company. It provides entrepreneurs with both the skills and attitude necessary to grow their ventures. In this book David lays out a concise overview of each role every entrepreneur must master – from banker to salesman to manager. Unlike most professions that require that you master only one role, successful entrepreneurship dictates that you embrace multiple roles on a daily basis. The ability to mentally…

    The Startup Hats is a street-smart, practical, and entertaining guide to starting your company. It provides entrepreneurs with both the skills and attitude necessary to grow their ventures. In this book David lays out a concise overview of each role every entrepreneur must master – from banker to salesman to manager. Unlike most professions that require that you master only one role, successful entrepreneurship dictates that you embrace multiple roles on a daily basis. The ability to mentally switch between these roles is the secret to ensuring your startup will survive and thrive. Depending on your strengths and personality, you will gravitate towards some roles more than others but ignore any one of them at your peril. This is a must-read for aspiring, new, and even seasoned entrepreneurs.

    See publication
  • An Engaged Approach to Early Stage Investing

    Medium

    A quick guide to hands-on early stage investing.

    See publication

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