David Cowan, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, believes in a proactive investment approach.

Unlike other VCs, David doesn’t let the deal flow dictate where to invest. Instead, like other partners at Bessemer Venture Partner, he delves into research, attends conferences, and talks to experts on the bleeding edge of innovation to identify where there are new opportunities to make a difference in the world.

With his investments, he has set his sights on big, future-defining topics such as climate change, quantum computing, space, sustainable agriculture, and cybersecurity. And as of a few weeks ago, 34 of those companies have reached IPO.

Special co-host Marc Zablatsky, Managing Director of the CFO Practice at Burkland, joins the show to chat with David about his investment philosophy and what he’s seeing in the startup landscape.

We discuss:

• The growing collaboration between governments and startups
  
• The immense power and potential applications of quantum computing
  
• 7 areas of innovation to combat climate change
  
• A uniquely proactive approach to investment
  
• David’s new mockumentary Bubble Proof
  This discussion with David Cowan was taken from our show Startup Success. Find David on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/davidjcowan or visit bvp.com.
  
  Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or find every episode here.
  
  Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Startup Success in your favorite podcast player.