The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified 485. From Touring with Lady Gaga, Blink‑182, and Pharrell Williams to investing in Spotify, SpaceX, and Ripple… How an Artist Went from Tastemaker to Transformative Healthcare VC (D.A. Wallach)
Jun 16, 2025
D.A. Wallach, co-founder of Time BioVentures and former recording artist, shares his intriguing journey from touring with stars like Lady Gaga to investing in life sciences. He discusses how his experiences in the music industry shaped his investment philosophy. The conversation covers the intersection of creativity and technology, tackling healthcare reform, and the role of AI in drug discovery. Wallach emphasizes the importance of taste in investment decisions, highlighting the need for innovation within the healthcare system.
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From Drummer to Singer by Force
- D.A. Wallach started as a drummer but became a singer when his college band asked him to sing despite his lack of prior experience.
- He developed his musical skills through repetitive practice while being in Chester French with four other freshmen.
Touring with Music Legends
- D.A. Wallach's band toured with Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams, Blink-182, and Weezer early in their career.
- They signed with Pharrell and Interscope Records, gaining exposure by opening for famous acts.
From Music to Tech via Spotify
- D.A. Wallach transitioned to tech investing inspired by Ashton Kutcher's bridging of entertainment and Silicon Valley.
- A meeting with Mark Zuckerberg led to a Spotify account and an eventual artist-in-residence role, starting his tech involvement.
