Frank Demmler

Startup Whisperer @ 2 X Frank Entrepreneurial Yoda-for-Hire

About

Dubbed "[Pittsburgh's] startup whisperer" by Inc. Magazine, I have "been there, done that" with a broad spectrum of companies & technologies. Actively engaged in Pittsburgh's technology-based entrepreneurial community for decades as Pittsburgh has emerged as a thriving entrepreneurial community from a time when people didn't know how to spell "entrepreneur". I have been instrumental in creating, strengthening, and growing the entrepreneurial culture. I've been actively engaged with CMU & Pitt as their technology commercialization capabilities have matured. I count over 400 first-time fundings of companies that enabled them to raise over $3 billion of follow on funding & led to more than 60 acquisitions & a few IPOs. Seeking to engage with: • organizations starting or growing investment activities with early stage technology companies (for profit & not-for-profit) • direct engagement with companies to assist strategic planning, fund raising strategy, CEO coaching & board of directors • partner with companies seeking a Pittsburgh presence & access to companies & institutions of interest

Country

United States

City

Pittsburgh

Industry

Venture Capital & Private Equity

Skill

Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Start-ups, Technology Transfer, Medical Devices, Due Diligence, Business Valuation, Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Business Strategy, Business Planning, Strategy, Finance, Investments, Business Development, Management Consulting, Private Equity, Corporate Development, Product Development

Experience

Startup Whisperer

2 X Frank Entrepreneurial Yoda-for-Hire

2018 - Present · 8 yrs

Greater Pittsburgh Area

Having worked with several thousand entrepreneurs over the years, I've "been there & done that". Known for my integrity and honesty, I tell entrepreneurs what they need to be told, not what they want to be told. Between my experience & my network, I bring tremendous value to my companies. I've participated in over 400 first-time investments in companies that have cumulatively raised over $3 billion of follow on funding. Over 60 of the companies have been acquired and a few have gone public. Dave Mawhinney, Executive Director of Carnegie Mellon's Swartz Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, commented, "Frank is the Yoda for entrepreneurship. You aren't really an entrepreneur until you've been hit by the 2 X Frank."

Adjunct Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship

Carnegie Mellon University

1987 - Present · 39 yrs

Pittsburgh, PA

I've had the opportunity to work with hundreds of students aspiring to be entrepreneurs. Many went on to become successful entrepreneurs. I've exclusively taught courses to graduate students on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial funding. I am frequently told by former students that my course was one of the best, and useful, courses during graduate school.

Managing Director

Riverfront Ventures

2013 - 2018 · 5 yrs

Greater Pittsburgh Area

Participated in management of this $24 million venture capital fund with 2 others to co-invest in high potential, technology-based entrepreneurial businesses in the Pittsburgh Region. Affiliated with Innovation Works, the fund is extremely well-connected to the exciting companies emerging locally, including spinouts from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. 11 investments during my tenure & 2 exits - NoWait (acquired by Yelp) & Wombat Security (acquired by Proofpoint).

Vice President

Innovation Works

2005 - 2018 · 13 yrs

Greater Pittsburgh Area

Built & led a team of seed investment professionals whose efforts made IW a top-5 seed stage investor, including several quarters as the #1 seed investor in the US according to PitchBook, the premier database of venture capital. Led business assistance and Seed investment activities for early-stage technology-based ventures in the Pittsburgh region. Since inception in 1999, IW has invested over $73M in over 335 companies which have gone on to raise over $2 billion in follow on funding. Notable portfolio companies include Ottomatika (acquired by Delphi Automotive); Safaba (acquired by Amazon); Allpoint Systems (acquired by AutoDesk); Blue Belt Technologies (acquired by Smith & Nephew) & ModCloth (acquired by Jet.com), among many others.