David Cohen
Venture investor and startup mentor associated with Techstars who shared a high-stakes conflict story about a company held hostage via a domain/technology attack and how values guided their response.
Best podcasts with David Cohen
Ranked by the Snipd community
5 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 8min
Investor Stories 454: When There Are No Good Choices: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas, Founder Splits, and Existential Company Threats (Cohen, Effron, Austin)
In this engaging discussion, David Cohen shares a gripping tale of a company held hostage by hackers, illustrating how values can guide difficult decisions. Jacob Effron delves into the evolving world of AI investing, questioning how traditional VC models must adapt for unique funding rounds in this field. Meanwhile, Ethan Austin highlights the frequent issue of founder splits, offering insights into resolution strategies like buybacks and arbitration. Together, they navigate the complexities of ethical dilemmas and the dynamic landscape of venture capital.
Nov 13, 2025 • 6min
Investor Stories 440. The Questions That Expose True Alignment, How Founders Test Investors, and Why the Hard Ones Matter Most (Wang, Banks, Cohen)
Casber Wang from Sapphire Ventures, Lara Banks of Makena Capital, and David Cohen, co-founder of Techstars, share critical insights into investor-founder dynamics. Wang stresses the importance of aligning expectations by posing tough questions about responses to setbacks. Banks discusses how she scrutinizes fund managers and evaluates long-term success criteria. Cohen emphasizes the necessity for founders to connect with investors who have faced challenges, highlighting personal stability as a crucial factor in ensuring effective management.
