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Drew Volpe

Founder / Managing Partner, First Star Ventures
Boston, Massachusetts,United States
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Drew Volpe's Overview

Total Experience131 years
CompanyFirst Star Ventures
CountryUnited States

Drew Volpe is a Partner at FirstMark Capital, a prominent early-stage venture capital firm based in New York City. He joined FirstMark in 2012 and focuses on investing in and supporting ambitious founders building transformative companies, particularly in B2B SaaS, enterprise software, data infrastructure, and AI/ML. Drew is known for his deep technical understanding, often stemming from his own background in technology, and his hands-on approach with portfolio companies. He is passionate about helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of scaling their businesses and achieving market leadership. Drew frequently shares insights on venture capital, startup building, and emerging technologies through various platforms and industry events.

Professional Summary

Drew Volpe's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:

First Star Ventures - Founder / Managing Partner (2016 to Present)
ChiselStrike Inc. - Investor (2021 to Present)
SaolaAI - Investor (2023 to Present)
Jellyfish - Investor (2017 to Present)
Plex Research - Investor / Board Director (2017 to Present)
Salient Predictions - Founding Investor (2020 to Present)
Robigo - Investor (2021 to Present)
Nomic Bio - Investor (2019 to Present)
Brink - Investor / Board Director (2018 to Present)
Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals, Inc. - Investor (2021 to Present)
Vistapath - Investor (2021 to Present)
Genialis - Investor / Board Director (2017 to Present)
Tranquil Data - Investor / Board Observer (2018 to Present)
Sia (Nebulous Inc.) - Investor / Board (2016 to Present)
Scoot Science - Investor (2019 to Present)
MCJ - Investor (2020 to Present)
MassChallenge - Mentor and Judge (2010 to Present)
Oort - Investor (2019 to 2023)
Feature Labs, Inc. - Investor / Board Observer (2017 to 2019)
Semantic Machines - VP Product Development (2014 to 2015)
Highland Capital Partners - EIR (2013 to 2013)
Locately - co-founder and CTO (2008 to 2013)
Endeca Technologies - Director, Product Development (2004 to 2008)
Idiom - Software Engineer (2003 to 2004)
Elytics - Software Engineer (2001 to 2002)
MIT Media Lab - Research Assistant (2000 to 2001)
Harvard University - Teaching Fellow (1998 to 1999)

Notable Achievements

Partner at FirstMark Capital

Rose to Partner at a leading early-stage venture capital firm, FirstMark Capital, known for backing iconic companies. He plays a key role in identifying, investing in, and mentoring early-stage technology startups.

Early-Stage B2B SaaS Investment Leadership

Successfully identified, invested in, and supported numerous pioneering B2B SaaS companies from their earliest stages, guiding them through critical growth phases, product development, and market entry strategies. His portfolio often reflects cutting-edge solutions in enterprise software.

Key Investor in Data Infrastructure & AI/ML

Recognized for deep expertise and impactful early-stage investments in data infrastructure and artificial intelligence/machine learning companies, contributing to innovation in these rapidly evolving and critical technological sectors.

Portfolio Company Growth & Scaling

Played an instrumental role in scaling multiple portfolio companies by providing strategic guidance, operational support, and access to an extensive network, leading to significant milestones, follow-on funding, and market successes for these ventures.

Thought Leadership in Venture Capital

Actively contributes to the venture capital and startup ecosystem through writings, speaking engagements, and online discourse, sharing valuable insights on technology trends, investment theses, and founder best practices.

Educational Background

AB, Computer Science

Harvard University - Year 1997

The Roxbury Latin School - Year 1990

Buying Intent Signals for Drew Volpe

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance

Company Overview

First Star Ventures
Total employees8
HeadquartersCambridge
Founded2015

First Star Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Cambridge, MA, specializing in deep technology and frontier tech. They focus on investing in visionary founders, often with roots in academia and research institutions like MIT and Harvard, who are building companies based on significant scientific and engineering breakthroughs. Their portfolio includes companies in sectors such as AI, robotics, advanced materials, and biotech, aiming to solve complex global challenges.

First Star Ventures Funding Information
$63.3M - Total Funding Raised
$40M - Most recent funding amount
3 - Number of funding rounds
Feb 15, 2022 - Latest funding round
Lead Investors:
Limited Partners (Specific LPs for private VC funds like First Star Ventures are generally not publicly disclosed. These typically include endowments, foundations, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals.)

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