ANDY SMITH - CO-FOUNDER, GENERAL PARTNER

Andy brings deep industry experience around consumer electronics, ingredient tech, social media and IoT.  With deep roots as a venture/mentor, guest lecturer and experienced operator, Andy provides a perspective on innovation that few can match.

For over 20 years, Andy served as an executive leading teams at Dolby Labs, BIGWORDS, LiquidWit, Intel, Analysis Group, Polaroid, Integral Inc. and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. In 2010, he co-wrote The Dragonfly Effect, an actionable guide to driving impact through customer insight and highly effective, measurable social marketing strategies. While working with companies to create Dragonfly Effects of their own, he advised and supported technical and social ventures with guidance in customer strategy, marketing and technology.

Andy is a Venture Mentor in both Steve Blank’s Lean Launchpad class (Berkeley and Columbia) and at Eric Ries’ Lean Startup Conference. He has lectured at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business on social technology, growth hacking, and brand building, with a focus on applying technology to address real problems. He contributes to Fast Company, First Round Review, GOOD Magazine, and blog at Psychology Today exploring ideas and businesses that embrace and integrate both meaning and innovation. Andy also appears on radio and TV, speaks at events including SXSW, The 140 Characters Conference, Social Media Breakfast, World 50, Marketing Week, TechCoire and Interbrand. He is on boards of Accompani, Ziploop, Publet, CafeGive Social, 140 Proof, LIF Brands, Avanoo, and One Family One Meal.

Andy earned his MBA at UCLA’s Anderson School and holds an Economics degree from Pomona College.