Photo of Bob Goodman, Partner

Bob Goodman

Partner
Larchmont

Biography

Bob Goodman is a partner in the New York office where he has been a leading investor in enterprise software, mobile, and B2B marketplace companies for over 20 years. In that time he has helped over 15 companies reach successful M&A and IPO exits, including BladeLogic (IPO in 2007), Broadsoft (IPO in 2010), Intucell (acquired by Cisco) and Flarion Technologies (acquired by Qualcomm).

Bob currently sits on many boards, including ACV Auctions, Sisense, and many other startups. Bob is there for the highs and lows of building great companies. He is passionate about partnering with early-stage founders and being one of the first investors they call.

Before becoming an investor, he founded two successful telecommunications companies. While building his second company, Celcore, Bob raised his Series A from Bessemer in 1994. After Celcore was acquired by Alcatel through the acquisition of DSC in 1997, Bob decided to join the firm as the first partner in New York City. Prior to Celcore Bob founded Boatphone, a group of cellular operating companies in the Caribbean. Having served as CEO of both companies, Bob offers a dynamic combination of entrepreneurial, operating, and investment expertise to his portfolio companies. He holds a B.A. from Brown University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Portfolio Highlights

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Getting to know Bob

 

Lessons from his parents

Bob’s approach to life and business was profoundly shaped by the lessons he learned from his parents. From his dad, he inherited a deep-rooted belief in the importance of treating everyone fairly and nurturing his relationships. His mom’s influence is evident in Bob’s direct and transparent communication style. Bob values substance over fluff and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, even when it’s tough.

An entrepreneurial drive

While in business school, Bob co-founded a company that secured a cellular license in the British Virgin Islands and later expanded to build the cellular system in the Eastern Caribbean. His entrepreneurial drive led him to launch other successful ventures, including CruisePhone, which provided cellular and satellite connectivity for cruise ships, and CellCore, a wireless infrastructure company. These experiences not only taught Bob resilience but also gave him a firsthand understanding of the hurdles entrepreneurs face in their own journey. His advice to founders is rooted in resilience: stay the course, keep a positive attitude, and remember that setbacks are opportunities for growth.

Bob with George Chamoun, CEO of ACV Auctions

Bob with ACV Auctions CEO George Chamoun

From Buffalo NY to a nationwide marketplace

Dealer-to-dealer used car sales are a messy, large market, dominated by a couple of legacy players. But in 2017, ACV Auctions had started to disrupt that market with an online marketplace in Buffalo and Albany in New York and Bob recognized this, investing in the company’s Series A. He was also impressed by CEO George Chamoun’s leadership. George’s blend of people-centric management and strategic decision-making, coupled with his willingness to innovate and learn from trial and error, convinced Bob to lead ACV’s Series B and C too. ACV grew quickly and transformed from a regional player into a national one, and then into a public company in 2021.

Being outdoors

Bob is most energized and happy in Martha’s Vineyard, where he spends his time being outside around the island. As an avid gardener, Bob grows a variety of vegetables from kohlrabi to arugula, and is working with his son to convert conventional farms to regenerative farming. This has not only served as a personal retreat and a way to connect with the land but also informs his perspective on sustainable business practices and innovation in agriculture.

“VCs don’t run companies. Management teams run companies. We’re looking to partner with teams that can build world-class businesses.”

Portfolio Companies

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ACV Auctions

ACV Auctions provides a mobile app and web platform that allows car dealers to quickly buy and sell wholesale vehicles through live auctions.

ACV went public in March 2021 (NASDAQ: ACVA).

NASDAQ: ACVA

Founded

2014

Partnered

2017

Affirmed Networks

ACQUIRED BY: MICROSOFT
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Affirmed Networks

Affirmed Networks develops mobile network solutions with gateway functionality, rich application and content delivery services. In March 2020, Affirmed Networks was acquired by Microsoft.

ACQUIRED BY: MICROSOFT

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Anaqua

ACQUIRED BY: ASTORG
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Anaqua

Anaqua provides intellectual asset management software solutions and services to corporations of all sizes. Anaqua was acquired by Astorg, a leading European private equity firm, in February 2019.

ACQUIRED BY: ASTORG

Founded

2004

Partnered

2013

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Broadsoft

ACQUIRED BY: CISCO
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Broadsoft

BroadSoft develops software that enables mobile and fixed-line service providers to deliver real-time communications via their IP networks. In June 2010, BroadSoft went public (NASDAQ: BSFT). Cisco acquired Broadsoft in in February 2018. 

ACQUIRED BY: CISCO

Investors

Bob Goodman

Founded

1998

Flarion Technologies

ACQUIRED BY: QUALCOMM
Enterprise
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Flarion Technologies

Flarion is the pioneer of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex Access (OFDMA) technology. In 2006, Flarion was acquired by QUALCOMM.

ACQUIRED BY: QUALCOMM

Investors

Bob Goodman

Founded

2000

Roadmaps

Enterprise

GTS Central Europe

ACQUIRED BY: DUESTSCHE TELEKOM
Enterprise
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GTS Central Europe

GTS provides integrated fixed-line communications services in Central and Eastern Europe. In May 2014, GTS was acquired by Duetsche Telekom in 2014.

ACQUIRED BY: DUESTSCHE TELEKOM

Investors

Bob Goodman

Founded

1993

Partnered

2008

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Enterprise

IAG Research, Inc.

ACQUIRED BY: THE NIELSEN CO.
Enterprise
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IAG Research, Inc.

IAG Research, Inc. provides media metrics to large advertisers through proprietary research. IAG Research, Inc. was acquired by The Nielsen Co.

ACQUIRED BY: THE NIELSEN CO.

Investors

Bob Goodman

Founded

1999

Partnered

2006

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Enterprise

Intucell

ACQUIRED BY: CISCO
Enterprise Israel
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Intucell

Intucell offers a self-optimizing network solution that enable radio operators to better utilize their radio access networks. In February 2013, Intucell was acquired by Cisco.

ACQUIRED BY: CISCO

Founded

2008

Partnered

2011

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Enterprise Israel

LogicNow

ACQUIRED BY: SOLARWINDS
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LogicNow

LogicNow (fka GFI Software) is a diversified SMB software company offering a number of solutions including remote connection, support, and security products. LogicNow was acquired by SolarWinds.

ACQUIRED BY: SOLARWINDS

Investors

Bob Goodman

Founded

2009

Partnered

2009

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Smashfly

ACQUIRED BY: SYMPHONY TALENT
Enterprise
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Smashfly

SmashFly Technologies provides marketing automation for recruiting. Symphony Talent acquired SmashFly Technologies in November 2019. 

ACQUIRED BY: SYMPHONY TALENT

Investors

Bob Goodman

Founded

2007

Partnered

2015

Roadmaps

Enterprise

Verodin

ACQUIRED BY: FIREEYE
Cybersecurity Enterprise
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Verodin

Verodin is a business platform that enables organizations to measure, manage, and improve their cybersecurity effectiveness. Verodin was acquired by FireEye in May 2019.

ACQUIRED BY: FIREEYE

Investors

Bob Goodman

Founded

2014

Partnered

2018

Roadmaps

Cybersecurity Enterprise

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