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Eric Paley primarily invests in early-stage technology startups across diverse sectors. His focus areas include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), consumer technology, fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), marketplaces, and developer tools.
Eric Paley works as a Managing Partner at Founder Collective, a prominent seed-stage venture capital firm based in Cambridge, MA, and New York, NY.
Eric Paley is a Partner Emeritus at Founder Collective and the Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Before transitioning to venture capital, he served as the co-founder and CEO of Brontes Technologies, a 3D dental imaging company that was acquired by 3M in 2006. At Founder Collective, he managed seed-stage investments and helped close the firm's $170 million Fund V in 2021 while backing prominent technology startups including Uber, The Trade Desk, and Airtable. His investment performance has earned him five appearances on the Forbes Midas List, where he ranked as high as ninth among global seed investors. Holding an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College, Paley currently focuses on shaping state economic policy while advocating for capital-efficient growth strategies in the early-stage technology sector.
Eric Paley stands as a pivotal figure in the early-stage venture capital landscape, serving as a Managing Partner at Founder Collective. A firm renowned for its founder-friendly ethos and strategic capital deployment, Founder Collective, under Paley's leadership, has become a go-to partner for promising startups at their most nascent stages. His journey into venture capital is deeply rooted in his own entrepreneurial success, providing him with a unique empathy and insight into the challenges and triumphs of building a company from the ground up.
At Founder Collective, Eric Paley plays a crucial role in shaping the firm's investment strategy and guiding its portfolio companies. The firm’s philosophy centers on providing meaningful seed capital without demanding excessive ownership, fostering an environment where founders retain control and agency over their vision. Paley is instrumental in identifying visionary entrepreneurs and disruptive technologies, leveraging his extensive experience to help founders navigate the complex early phases of growth, product-market fit, and scaling. His hands-on approach and commitment to mentorship are hallmarks of his investment style.
Paley's investment focus spans a broad spectrum of technology sectors, reflecting the diverse innovation happening in today's startup ecosystem. He actively seeks out opportunities in areas such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), consumer technology, fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), marketplaces, and developer tools. His keen eye for identifying scalable business models and transformative ideas has led to Founder Collective's involvement in numerous companies that have gone on to achieve significant success and impact.
Before co-founding Founder Collective in 2009, Eric Paley was a successful entrepreneur himself. He co-founded Brontes Technologies, a dental imaging company that developed advanced 3D intra-oral scanning technology. Brontes Technologies was later acquired by 3M in 2006, a testament to Paley's ability to build and scale innovative ventures. This firsthand experience as a founder deeply informs his investment decisions and his approach to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. Beyond his investment activities, Paley is also a respected thought leader in the startup community. He is the co-author of "Startup CEO: A Field Guide to Scaling Up Your Business," a valuable resource for founders navigating the complexities of growth. He frequently shares his insights through speaking engagements and articles, contributing significantly to the broader discourse on entrepreneurship and venture capital.
Through his work at Founder Collective, Eric Paley has been instrumental in the firm's early investments in a remarkable portfolio of companies. While specific individual investments are often a collective effort, the firm's portfolio, guided by Paley and his partners, includes early stakes in companies like Uber, Cruise Automation (acquired by GM), The Trade Desk, Coupa, and PillPack (acquired by Amazon). These investments underscore his strategic vision and the firm's ability to spot future industry leaders. Eric Paley continues to be a driving force behind Founder Collective's mission to empower founders, providing the capital, guidance, and network necessary to transform groundbreaking ideas into successful enterprises. His blend of entrepreneurial experience, strategic acumen, and dedication to the startup ecosystem makes him a highly influential and sought-after investor.
