David Cowan

Partner

David Cowan is one of the world’s leading investors, having funded Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds that led to over 30 IPOs. David was ranked sixth on the Midas List and tied for fourth in the Midas List of Hall of Fame.

Based in our Silicon Valley office, David launched Bessemer's practices in cloud, cybersecurity, consumer internet, gaming, space, and quantum computing. Known for taking chances on the unorthodox, David’s early stage bets include Twitch (acquired by Amazon), Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB), and Skybox Imaging (acquired by Google).

David has co-founded three cybersecurity companies incubated within Bessemer’s offices: VeriSign (NASDAQ: VRSN), serving as initial Chairman and CFO; Good Technology (fka Visto, acquired by Blackberry) serving as CEO; and Defense.net (acquired by F5).

He earned an AB in computer science / mathematics and an MBA, both from Harvard University. Today he serves on several non-profit boards including the Center for Inquiry and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He is the co-writer of the Silicon Valley mockumentary series “Bubbleproof,” and producer of the award-winning MTV Documentary film “Afghan Dreamers.”

“The immense computational power that QC can unleash will lead to life-changing medicines, more accurate weather forecasts, smarter AIs, longer-lasting batteries, safer space travel, sustainable energy sources, and benefits society has yet to even discover.”

Companies

^* NASDAQ: RKLB

Rocket Lab

NASDAQ: RKLB

Rocket Lab delivers a range of complete rocket systems and technologies for fast and low-cost payload deployment.

Rocket Lab announced to go public in merger with SPAC Vector Acquisition Corp in March 2021.

Rocket Lab went public in August 2021 (NASDAQ: RKLB).

^* NYSE: LNKD / ACQUIRED BY: MICROSOFT

NYSE: LNKD / ACQUIRED BY: MICROSOFT

LinkedIn operates the world's largest professional network. In May 2011, LinkedIn went public (NYSE: LNKD) and in 2016, was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).

^* NYSE: LOCK

LifeLock

NYSE: LOCK

LifeLock is an industry leader in identity theft protection. Lifelock went public in October 2012 (NYSE: LOCK) and was acquired by Symantec in 2017.

Zapier

Zapier is a service that syncs data between web applications.

Auth0 ^*

Auth0

ACQUIRED BY: OKTA

Auth0 operates a cloud based identity platform for developers.

Auth0 was acquired by Okta for $6.5 billion in 2021.

Axonius

Axonius is the cybersecurity asset management platform that lets IT and Security teams see devices for what they are to manage & secure all.

Bastille Networks, Inc.

Bastille provides wireless intelligence for TIP, XDR, and ASM security.

Blue Nile ^*

Blue Nile

NASDAQ:NILE

Blue Nile is a pioneering online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry. Blue Nile went public in 2004 (NASDAQ:NILE).

Ciena ^*

Ciena

NASDAQ: CIEN

Ciena is a global supplier of telecommunications networking equipment, software, and services. Ciena went public in 1997 (NASDAQ: CIEN).

Claroty

Claroty is a cybersecurity software company focused on protecting industrial control networks.

Contractbook

The contract lifecycle management platform that enables you to manage contracts in a single fully-automated flow.

Crosschq

Crosschq is pioneering Human Intelligence Hiring™ by harnessing the power of people to help companies better screen, onboard and source the best talent.

CyberGRX

CyberGRX is a cyber risk management platform that mitigates and monitors third party exposure for enterprises.

Cyota, Inc ^*

Cyota, Inc

ACQUIRED BY: RSA SECURITY

Cyota is a cyber security company focused on online banking fraud, e-commerce fraud, and phishing. In December 2005, Cyota was acquired by RSA Security.

Dropcam ^*

Dropcam

ACQUIRED BY: GOOGLE

Dropcam develops a Wi-Fi camera with easy setup and continuous cloud recording. The company was acquired by Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) in July 2014.

Defense.net ^*

Defense.net

ACQUIRED BY: F5 NETWORKS

Defense.net provides Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack mitigation services. In May 2014, the company was acquired by F5 Networks.

DroneDeploy

DroneDeploy is the leading cloud software platform for commercial drones, and is making the power of aerial data accessible and productive for everyone.

Endgame ^*

Endgame

ACQUIRED BY: ELASTIC

Endgame's endpoint protection platform protects the world’s data from advanced attacks. Endgame was acquired by Elastic in June 2019.

Forever Oceans

Forever Oceans is committed to protecting our planet and preserving our oceans.

GetInsured

GetInsured delivers the best health insurance ecommerce experience for consumers, employers, brokers and insurers.

Iris Automation

Iris Automation provides robust collision avoidance systems for industrial drones.

iSIGHT Security ^*

iSIGHT Security

ACQUIRED BY: FIREEYE

iSIGHT Partners is a leader in cyber threat intelligence. In January 2016, iSIGHT was acquired by FireEye, Inc.

Nominum ^*

Nominum

ACQUIRED BY: AKAMAI

Nominum provides DNS software & applications for top telecom providers to deliver superior performance, security, controls & communications. Nominum was acquired by Akamai Technologies in November 2017.

Playdom ^*

Playdom

ACQUIRED BY: DISNEY

Playdom is an online social network of game developers. Playdom was acquired by Disney in August 2010.

Postini ^*

Postini

ACQUIRED BY: GOOGLE

Postini provides email security and management for the enterprise. In July 2007, Postini was acquired by Google (NASDAQ:GOOG).

Qualys ^*

Qualys

NASDAQ: QLYS

Qualys is a provider of cloud security and compliance solutions. Qualys went public (NASDAQ: QLYS) in September 2012.

Rigetti Computing ^*

Rigetti Computing

NASDAQ: RGTI

Rigetti Computing is an integrated systems company that builds quantum computers and the superconducting quantum processors that power them.

In March 2022, Rigetti went public on NASDAQ (RGTI).

Smule

Smule develops music-making apps that connect people.

Spire ^*

Spire

NYSE: SPIR

Spire is a space to cloud data analytics company utilizing satellites to provide maritime, aviation, and weather tracking. Spire Global went public in August 2021 (NYSE: SPIR).

Team8

Team8 is a cybersecurity think tank and venture creation foundry.

Terra Bella (fka Skybox Imaging) ^*

Terra Bella (fka Skybox Imaging)

ACQUIRED BY: GOOGLE

Terra Bella (fka Skybox Imaging) provides commercial, high-resolution satellite imagery and high-definition video and analytics services. In August 2014, Skybox was acquired by Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG).

Tripwire ^*

Tripwire

ACQUIRED BY: BELDEN

Tripwire provides risk-based security and compliance management solutions. In May 2011, it was acquired by Thoma Bravo and then acquired by Belden in 2014.

Twilio ^*

Twilio

NYSE: TWLO

Twilio is a cloud communication company that enables users to use standard web languages to build voice, VoIP, and SMS apps via a web API. In June 2016, Twilio went public (NYSE: TWLO).

Twitch ^*

Twitch

ACQUIRED BY: AMAZON

Twitch is a social video platform for gamers where more than 100 million gather every month to broadcast, watch and talk about video games. In 2014, Twitch was acquired by Amazon for ~$1 billion.

Velo3D ^*