Silicon Valley-based startup entrepreneur, venture capital and angel investor, board member, and advisor with a diverse and proven 25+ year track record across the e-commerce, software, Internet, and online media sectors. After beginning my career as a software developer at both startups and F500 companies, I spent a decade as a venture capital investor in early-stage software, technology, and Internet startups, serving as a General Partner in four funds. After that I spent 5+ years as CEO of an e-commerce startup which I led through a strategic M&A process culminating in a successful exit to a private-equity backed national omnichannel retailer with a combined 150 employees and low-mid 8-figure revenues. Subsequently I served as Managing Partner of a new venture platform where we developed a unique, data-driven investing model, and after that was part of a cross-border Asian venture capital firm with strong ties to Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.1992-1997: Software developer (Oracle, Wells Fargo, Approach Software, Expert Edge)1998-2008: Venture capital investor (General Partner at Trinity Ventures)2009-2015: CEO at privately-held e-commerce / omnichannel retailer (Beau-coup)2015-2018: Venture capital investor and co-founder of new firm (Managing Partner at Hone Capital)2018-2020: Partner at an Asian cross-border venture capital fund (Venture Partner at TransLink Capital)2020-2024: Building an e-commerce startup (Co-Founder & CFO at Pantastic)2024-present: Continuing to build under a new banner (CFO at Refersion)
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Venture PartnerCatchlight Capital PartnersPalo Alto, Ca, Us
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Chief Financial OfficerRefersion Nov 2024 - PresentNew York, New York, Us -
Co-Founder & CfoPantastic Apr 2020 - Nov 2024San Francisco, UsEnsuring the success of independent brands, one household at a time. -
Venture PartnerTranslink Capital 2018 - Jan 2020Palo Alto, Ca, UsInvesting in early-stage software and ecommerce startups while also advising multi-stage cross-border venture fund on all aspects of strategy and operations. The TransLink team has long-standing relationships with over 20 of the most significant Asian technology, Internet, electronic manufacturing services, and telecommunications services corporations in Greater China, Japan, and South Korea. These companies have invested in the TransLink Capital funds and have co-invested in its portfolio companies. -
Managing PartnerHone Capital (Formerly Csc Venture Capital) 2015 - 2018San Francisco, California, UsOpened and co-lead the Silicon Valley based U.S. investment arm of CSC Group, including oversight of its $400M AngelList capital commitment. CSC Group is one of the largest private equity and venture capital firms in China, with US $10.5B ((RMB 70B) under management. Actively invested in U.S. based early to growth stage software, technology, and Internet startups, particularly in cases where we were able to leverage our relationships and resources in Chinese government and business to help companies successfully access the China market. Hone Capital was formerly known as CSC Venture Capital. -
AdvisorValimail 2015 - 2018Denver, Co, UsFortunate to be working with an incredible founding team building a compelling software company. ValiMail automates email authentication via a SaaS solution, enhancing overall email effectiveness, stopping phishing attacks, and in particular protecting brands and their consumers. -
CeoBeau-Coup 2009 - 2015Mountain View, Ca, UsBeau-coup is the leading online retailer of favors, gifts, and supplies for weddings and other celebrations of life events. Successfully led company through strategic M&A process culminating in summer 2013 merger with a national retailer, Swoozie's. Through its merger, the company has evolved into an omnichannel retailer with two strong brands specializing in gifts, celebration supplies, home decor, and stationery. -
General PartnerTrinity Ventures 1998 - 2008Menlo Park, Ca, UsManaged ~$1B in capital commitments as member of venture capital partnership. Focused on investments in early-stage software, technology and Internet companies. Engaged in all aspects of fund management, including strategy, fundraising, human resources, marketing, and systems and technology infrastructure. -
Angel Investor / Startup AdvisorAngel Investor / Advisor 2007 - 2007Independently invest in and advise private companies such as DocuSign (in 2015, now public), Copper (formerly Prosperworks), ValiMail, Lever, Numerai, States Title, and many others. Typically advise CEO / founder of early-stage startup on venture capital fundraising, strategy, financing, and mergers and acquisitions. (2007-present)
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InvestorPhotobucket 2006 - 2007Denver, Co, UsPhotobucket is the world's leading dedicated photo and video sharing service. (Acquired by MySpace / Fox Interactive Media in 2007.) -
Board Of DirectorsSygate Technologies 2002 - 2005UsSygate was market leader in network access control solutions for large enterprises. (Acquired by Symantec in 2005.) -
Board Of DirectorsSpeedera Networks 2002 - 2005UsPioneering provider of distributed application hosting and content delivery services (CDN). Speedera at acquisition had more than 400 customers, including Fox Broadcasting Corporation, Amazon.com, and Apple. (Acquired by Akamai in 2005.) -
Lead Software ArchitectWells Fargo 1995 - 1997San Francisco, California, UsDeveloped software powering Internet banking terminal in the early days of mass web adoption, enabling one of the first “smart-card” e-money pilots in U.S.
Tom Cole Education Details
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Stanford University Graduate School Of BusinessMaster Of Business Administration (Mba) -
Yale UniversityComputer Science
Frequently Asked Questions about Tom Cole
What company does Tom Cole work for?
Tom Cole works for Catchlight Capital Partners
What is Tom Cole's role at the current company?
Tom Cole's current role is Venture Partner.
What schools did Tom Cole attend?
Tom Cole attended Stanford University Graduate School Of Business, Yale University.
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