JEFF (J.D.) DAVIDS
A dynamic and engaging entrepreneur
with over $1 Billion of stories to share
about success and failure.
Over 30 years in the trenches
of entrepreneurship & innovation,
early stage investing,
venture capital,
corporate innovation,
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), and
Initial Public Offerings (IPO).
Operator / Executive
8 startups, 6 successful exits
Serial Entrepreneur x 8
Founder & Chief Executive Officer x 1
Chief Operating Officer x 4
Chief Financial Officer x 8
Dealmaker
Over $1.5 Billion in deals including IPOs, M&A, corporate investments, venture capital & angel investors
The SmartMoney Ventures Podcast!
Inspiring innovative entrepreneurs at Mass Challenge in Boston!
Bio - Jeff (J.D.) Davids:
J.D. Davids has a unique perspective and style that educates, inspires & entertains audiences around the world.
J.D. blends Marine Corps strategy and confidence with the humility and seasoning of both painful failures and big successes in his journey as an innovator, entrepreneur, operator & investor. He loves helping others avoid some of the lessons he has learned serving on the management teams of 8 venture capital backed companies over 30 years in the trenches of venture capital and entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley, Southern California, Chicago & beyond.
J.D. has a well-weathered soft spot in his heart for innovators & entrepreneurs as they navigate their journey from initial launch & seed funding into the world of venture capital pitches and beyond. He knows what it feels like to prepare for the board meeting as a first time CEO, and how to navigate the five-layer chess game of raising 10’s of millions and 100’s of millions of dollars from investors and on to the holy grail of venture capital: a successful exit transaction producing a billion dollar outcome.
An insightful speaker with an engaging style, J.D. Davids serves as Managing Partner of SmartMoney Ventures, a firm that helps innovators, entrepreneurs & investors Beat the Odds in a high risk environment with a 75% failure rate.
SmartMoney Ventures produces world class content, training & education for all who participate in innovation ecosystems around the world. Our audience includes innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, universities, accelerators, economic development groups & civic officials who are building thriving geographic ecosystems, creating jobs and economic sustainability for their communities around the globe.
Speaking Topics include:
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Strategic Planning for New Ventures
Fundraising - Angels, Venture Capital, Crowdfunding, Corporate Venture Capital
Corporate Innovation, venture investing & strategic mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
Incubator & Accelerator Best Practices
Innovation in the Dept of Defense & Military (all command levels)
Veteran Workforce Development
Economic Development, job creation thru innovation
University Tech Transfer & Commercialization
Innovation in Universities & Research Institutions
Entrepreneurial Psychology
To book J.D. to speak to your group: go to:
Recent Awards:
San Diego Business Journal: Best Advocate for Veteran Entrepreneurs
San Diego, California
President’s Council on Service & Civic Participation
Volunteer Recognition Day Luncheon
April 8, 2019 | Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego
Prior Speaking Engagements:
The Ohio Venture Pipeline: Year in Review 2023
The Ohio Venture Pipeline: Mid-Year Review 2023
National Veterans Leadership Foundation
Cohort 1 of Entrepreneurship for Veteran Students
https://nvlfoundation.org/
NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center
San Francisco | Fast Track Your Fundraising Workshop
27th Annual Medical Device Conference
WIlson Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati
2019 | Palace Hotel, San Francisco
San Diego Startup Week - 4 years
Over 4,000 entrepreneurs, 150 workshops & a full week of fun!
USD Veteran Leadership Roundtable
Committee Chair - Success Metrics
Joan Kroc Center for Peace and Justice
Adapting Military Lessons to build Outstanding Startups
San Diego Startup Week
”From the Edge” with Mintz Levin
Co-Chair of Venture Capital Practice | Jeremy Glaser
“From the Edge” Podcast with Mintz Levin
A Lifetime of Deals with Jeremy Glaser
Association for Strategic Planning
Lean Strategic Planning for New Ventures
Los Angeles, California
Media / Press Coverage
Forbes Feature Article
“Top Investors Reveal What They Look For Online Before Meeting Business Owners
Ryan Erskine
Veteran Entrepreneur Awards Banquet
Awarded “Best Advocate for Veteran Entrepreneurs”
Organizations worked with:
Incubators / Accelerators:
NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center (San Francisco)
Mass Challenge (Boston)
WeWork (Boston, San Francisco, San Diego)
SK Telecom InnoPartners (Sunnyvale)
EvoNexus (San Diego)
HeraHub (San Diego)
The Basement at UCSD
Jacobs Center for Engineering at UCSD
Conferences / Groups:
Startup Week San Diego (multi-year, multi-session)
Wilson Sonsini Medical Device Conference
Veteran Entrepreneur Summit
Hera Venture Summit & Pitchfest Judge
IGNITE Conference at UCSD
Legacy Entrepreneur Awards at USD University of San Diego
San Diego Business Journal Veteran Entrepreneur Awards
Broadcast / Radio / Print Media:
Forbes
Bloomberg Radio
ESPN BisTalk Radio
San Diego Business Journal
San Diego Union Tribune
San Diego Daily Transcript
Columbus Dispatch
Honolulu Star Advertiser
San Francisco Chronicle
Military / DOD Related:
Marine Executive Association - West
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Recruit Depot - San Diego
Naval Base San Diego
Naval Base Coronado
E
JEFF (J.D.) DAVIDS
8 Startup Companies
3 Initial Public Offerings (IPO)
3 Strategic Acquisitions
Over $1 Billion in deals completed
Mentored Hundreds of Entrepreneurs
Former CPA with KPMG Peat Marwick
Veteran of the United States Marine Corps
Graduate of THE Ohio State University