Jeff (J.D.) Davids
J.D. Davids is the host of The SmartMoney Ventures Podcast where he brings a unique perspective and style that educates, inspires & entertains audiences around the world.
J.D. blends Marine Corps strategy and swagger with the humility and seasoning of both painful failures and big successes in his journey as an innovator, entrepreneur, operator & investor. He loves helping others avoid some of the lessons he has learned serving on the management teams of 8 venture capital backed companies over 28 years in the trenches of venture capital and entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley, Southern California, Chicago & beyond.
J.D. has a well-weathered soft spot in his heart for innovators & entrepreneurs as they navigate their journey from initial launch & seed funding into the world of venture capital pitches and beyond. He knows what it feels like to prepare for the board meeting as a first time CEO, and how to navigate the five-layer chess game of raising 10’s of millions and 100’s of millions of dollars from investors and on to the holy grail of venture capital: a successful exit transaction producing a billion dollar outcome.
An insightful speaker with an engaging style, J.D. Davids serves as Managing Partner of SmartMoney Ventures, a firm that helps innovators, entrepreneurs & investors beat the odds in a high risk environment with an 85% failure rate.
SmartMoney Ventures produces world class content, training & education for all who participate in innovation ecosystems around the world. Our audience includes innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, universities, accelerators, economic development groups & civic officials who are building thriving geographic ecosystems, creating jobs and economic sustainability for their communities around the globe.
J.D.’s Track Record Includes:
8 Startup Companies - Executive Officer
1 Software Company as Founder
6 Successful Exit Transactions
3 Successful IPOs
3 Successful M&As
2 “Learning Opportunities”
100’s of workshops & speaking engagements
1,000’s - CEO’s & Founders taught and/or coached
Prior work:
KPMG Peat Marwick
United States Marine Corps
Over $1 Billion in completed deals:
Websense - IPO
Organic Online - IPO
Accrue Software - IPO
Wireless Facilities - IPO & M&A
DH Technology - IPO & M&A
Adjacency - sold for 10X revenues
vMix Media - raised $21 million
SG Biofuels - raised $26 million
Royal Dutch Shell - 3 divestitures