Thesis:

I'm incredibly excited to invest around two currently exploding trends: the creator economy and web3. I've spent the last 18 months immersing myself in these categories. Drawing on my experience in digital media, I've developed a unique point of view on the types of startups that have transformational potential to disrupt categories – or create entirely new ones.

"Web3 will transform the relationship between creator and fan, and create new forms of expression and new economic models for media."

Tokenizing assets and creative works on the blockchain will usher in a new age of media and fandom. Creators and fans will become closer than ever before and can both share in the economic upside of that relationship in novel ways.

Reverb will invest in the protocols, teams, and platforms that make this possible.

"The creator economy will create a new model for employment and a novel class of independent creators to work independently and lead more fulfilling lives."

The rise of the individual and their ability to independently monetize as creators is a theme that will dominate the next decade.

Reverb will be investing in creator economy tools and platforms that enable top creators to own their audiences and monetization, and create sustainable business from their followings.

I'm currently most interested in early-stage (Seed to Series A) startups that are building for the convergence of web3 and the creator economy. This ranges from creator tools, platforms and web3 projects (NFTs, social tokens, etc) that help creators grow their following, monetize their work, and create impactful businesses.

Why you should invest:

Every company is a media company: You've probably heard this term thrown around often, but making it happen is often a slow nuanced process with a lot of scope for error.

As someone who's built two media companies - Bleacher Report and Inverse to over 100MM monthly users combined and advised startups in a variety of industries, I understand how to help startup attract their ideal audience.

I've developed a playbook that consumer companies at any stage can use to grow. In the past I've helped Media, DTC and enterprise Saas companies use this to build an internal media flywheel.

Web3 revolves around media and community: Community can make or break a web3 startup. I can help founders set themselves up to successfully build and sustain a community.

Founders want me on their cap table: As some who was an active operator until recently, I've lived through most Founder problems. Founders want that.

Creators want to work with me: Many of the creators of today grew up consuming Bleacher Report's content and feel a deep connection to it. They also appreciate that I'm a growing independent creator myself and I understand their key pain points and opportunities.

What Founders say:

I cold emailed Dave asking him to invest. Now we're super close friends. Why? Because he was generous with his time, easy to learn from, and a wonderful person. We'll certainly work together again.

-Sam Parr, Founder The Hustle (acq. Hubspot)

Dave's operator-investor MO means that his check is much more than just a check. Facing a problem? He's already lived some version of it. Need an intro? Here are five options to choose from. Dave's ready to step up when you need it, long after the round closes.

-Jesse Clemmens, Founder HiBeam

Invest with Reverb Ventures

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