David Smith

David Smith

Corp Dev, M&A, VC, FDI, Internationalization

Location
Menlo Park, California
Industry
Venture Capital & Private Equity
Current
  1. FirstCapital,
  2. TMF Group
Previous
  1. US Market Access Center,
  2. Tirna Partners,
  3. A & L Goodbody
Education
  1. Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, University College Dublin
Recommendations34 people have recommended David
500+ connections

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Summary

* The best networked Irishman in Silicon Valley (32K in Outlook; 19K LinkedIn, 4K Twitter)

* Managing Director, Head of US, FirstCapital - a leading boutique investment bank.

* Strategic board level consulting to USA tech companies expanding to Europe/EMEA, Asia,
LATAM and tech companies entering and expanding into the US/Canada

* VP Global Sales for TMF Group - Helping companies expand internationally. Fast.

* Expert in International trade / Export / Import / FDI / ODI

* In-depth and personal understanding of the some of the world's leading technology companies

* Chairman, Board Adviser and Board Member to high growth companies

* Dealmaker – assist international companies secure multimillion dollar contracts

* VC – fundraiser; great VC contacts – financial VC’s, corporate VC's and angels.

* Guest speaker at Stanford, USF, UCD, UL, MBA World Trophy on entrepreneurship, startups, internationalization; government supports; networking

* Recognized as a LinkedIn / social networking expert for driving business impact

* Experience in Telecoms, B2B, enterprise s/w, Web 2.0, wireless, electronics, chip, hardware and financial services

* Specialties: Strategy, board level consulting, internationalization, funding, networking, Entrepreneurship, sales/export development, business plan; sales strategy development, VC/financing, network development, Government Liaison, global innovation

* dynamic global business professional - domestic and international communications, representing public and private sector organizations, start-ups, international business development, relationship management, strategic planning, marketing, inward investment

Experience

  • Managing Director, Head of US

    FirstCapital
    – Present (1 year)

    FirstCapital is an international investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private placement and strategic advisory services to European companies in the technology, media and communications sectors. Our clients include founders and CEOs of innovative high growth businesses, private equity and venture capital investors and M&A teams of corporate acquirers.

    Our experienced team of skilled investment bankers has collectively advised on hundreds of transactions on a global basis, worth over $200bn. We combine profound sector insight, an extensive global network of technology buyers and investors and rigorous transaction expertise together with the highest levels of customer service to deliver exceptional results for our clients.

  • VP Global Sales

    TMF Group
    – Present (1 year 3 months)

    Helping companies expand internationally. Fast.

    We provide outsourced company secretarial, accounting, payroll and tax compliance services for companies growing internationally.

    TMF is a genuinely global management and accounting outsourcing firm, with over 4,000 professionals working from 100 offices in 78 countries around the world. TMF Group is the global expert that understands local needs and regulations so we keep you compliant in very market you want to operate in.

    We can provide you with a single point of contact to coordinate the day-to-day management of your international operations, and ensure clear communication across multiple jurisdictions. Global reach, local knowledge: helping you do business seamlessly across borders

    We also provide structured finance services, and carries out management/administration of SPVs across all types of securitizations as well as aviation finance (lease-in/ lease-out, etc.), shipping and other asset finance transactions. Globally, TMF Group serves more than 2,000 structured finance entities.

    Specialties: Global Corporate Compliance services, Nearsourcing, outsourcing, payroll, Accounting & reporting, company secretarial, structured finance services, licensing & collection, VAT & IPT, domiciliary & management, international incorporations, registrar & shareholder, HR & payroll, private clients, real estate investment, legal & fund administration

  • Adviser - Corporate Development

    US Market Access Center
    (1 year 2 months)

    Adviser and mentor on Corporate Development for USMAC and Corp Dev adviser to external partners

    Founder of TechMatch
    * Top Tech Startups are matched with the specific needs of selected US Corporations.
    * US MAC solicits nominations from our network of trade development agencies, accelerators and incubators.
    * Corporates get to meet top innovators that match what they are looking for in terms of new technologies or talent.
    * Culminates in an "invite only" ‘Demo’ event in Silicon Valley

    Board level adviser on VC fundraising, international growth, market entry strategy, business development

  • Principal & co-founder

    Tirna Partners
    (2 years 3 months)

    * Tirna Partners is a client focused consultancy firm that works with innovative European companies to drive their North American market strategy, business development, sales and funding activities. We will also support North American based companies to expand into Europe.

    * We are an international company, with offices in Toronto, Canada; Silicon Valley, California; Washington, DC, London, UK and Dublin, Ireland.

    * Tirna Partners brings a wealth of expertise to address your business challenges and high priority projects. We cover a broad range of industry segments based on in depth industry expertise coupled with an extensive network of industry contacts. http://www.tirnapartners.com/our-team.asp

    * Our team has full range of experience in CXO level management, product and market development, corporate introductions and venture funding in the North American marketplace.

    * We focus on funded companies with proven traction in Europe looking to gain access to North America for partnerships, sales and VC funding.

    * Recent wins - $17 m in new contracts in 2014

  • Vice President, International Programs

    US Market Access Center
    (1 year 10 months)

    * US MAC is the longest established international business accelerator located in Silicon Valley.

    * We give International tech companies a fast and successful access to the US Market. US MAC functions both as a “soft landing” and a launching pad for emerging tech companies from overseas.

    * We support Governments, development agencies and incubators to guide their tech firms growing internationally

    * Like all accelerators, we provide the basics – virtual and physical office space in several locations in the Bay Area.

    * We also provide Startup Camps and Startup Workshops to emerging entrepreneurs worldwide.

    * In addition, US MAC offers workshops inspired by Steve Blanks & Eric Ries ‘Lean Startup’ methodologies

    * Some sample programs
    http://usmarketaccess.com/go-global-program
    http://usmarketaccess.com/go-global-program/sales-in-silicon-valley
    http://usmarketaccess.com/go-global-program/angel-investor-training

    * Here is a list of upcoming worldwide events: http://usmarketaccess.com/events/

  • Business Development Consultant, West Coast USA

    A & L Goodbody
    (1 year 9 months)

    * Inward Investment into Ireland from US

    * Business Development West Coast USA

    * Targeting USA companies expanding to Ireland

  • SVP Telecoms (Silicon Valley Office)

    Enterprise Ireland
    (6 years 2 months)

    * Strategic adviser to over 130 Irish companies in the Wireless / Telecoms sectors on expanding in the Americas.

    * VC introductions, networking, sales and marketing expertise, Government liaison, managing MNC clients.

    * Managing IP licensing relationships with MNC’s.

    Enterprise Ireland is the VC and Export/Trade Development arm of the Irish Government that invests in and supports the growth and development of Irish companies. We have 850 employees in 31 offices worldwide and an annual budget of about $500 m.

    We invest first-time equity into over 70 Irish based startups every year.

    .

    videos of me

    http://youtu.be/w3MgVIXsfoI

    http://tinyurl.com/6k7pbkp

    http://tinyurl.com/5sr8446 1 minute in and 2 min 30 secs

    http://tinyurl.com/32g55xb

    http://tinyurl.com/3rlfqbb

  • Senior Adviser - HPSU / High Potential Start-Ups - Telecoms / Cloud (Dublin, Ireland)

    Enterprise Ireland
    (3 years 10 months)

    * Engaging with founders and startups to proactively drive their business start-up and internationalization phases; to deepen and broaden their activities in Ireland and develop and drive implementation of strategic action plans

    * Writing clear, concise and persuasive proposals for equity start-up funding.

    * Representing EI at trade fairs, press visits, conferences and all public relations activities

    Enterprise Ireland is the VC and Export/Trade Development arm of the Irish Government that invests in and supports the growth and development of Irish companies. We have 850 employees in 31 offices worldwide and an annual budget of about $500 m. We invest first-time equity into over 70 Irish based startups every year.

  • entrepreneur / co-founder

    Stealth Start Up
    (9 months)

    * Developed business plan, financial planning and market research for a new financial services start-up in Dublin.

    * Negotiated with potential investors, partners and customers.

    * Developed their market entry strategies and financial models.

    * Market research

    (we shelved plans to launch the company due to adverse market conditions)

  • Senior Director - Pan-European Market Research & Communications

    Prudential Europe (PEMS)
    (1 year 8 months)

    * Established and managed the pan-European market research and communications functions
    * Managed all internal and external communications, including HR issues
    * Trained and mentored staff in communications and management
    * Combined 15 separate internal web sites into one site
    * Defined and managed all knowledge databases
    * Recruited and managed a team of specialists and contractors;undertook appraisals, objective setting, salary reviews, performance mentoring and staff development plans
    * Directed all market research
    * Key member of the design and assessment team for a new systems platform for Prudential
    * Project managed national and international management conferences

  • International Insurance Representative; also Financial Services & Electronics Divisions

    IDA Ireland
    (4 years 11 months)

    * Worked at board level with with MNC / Fortune 100 / FTSE 100 clients
    * Negotiated 120 new operations to set up in Ireland
    * Represented IDA on An Taoiseach's (Irish Prime Ministers) IFSC Working Group
    * Worked with companies in financial services, manufacturing, back office, software and call-centres
    * Developed strategy and policy for government and IDA committees
    * Marketed and negotiated new projects at Board level
    * Managed all international and domestic press contacts & briefings - coverage in over international 21 journals, newspapers or broadcast media
    * Built an extensive contacts base in the public and private sector
    * Launched and was webmaster for www.insuranceireland.com
    * Organised, spoke at or chaired 14 national and international conferences
    * Arranged and represented IDA at trade fairs, press visits, conferences and all public relations activities

  • Adjunct Faculty / Part-time lecturer in marketing

    D.I.T. Aungier St. And DIT Tallaght
    (1 year 8 months)

    Lectured final year degree students in

    * International Marketing Strategy
    * Services Marketing; Management

    Graduateship program of the Marketing Institute of Ireland.

  • Marketing & Sales Support Manager

    Scottish Provident
    (5 years 11 months)

    * Implemented a real time MIS that cut report time from days to minutes;
    * Designed marketing programs
    * Product and service Benchmarking
    * Organised sales seminars and new product launches
    * Trained staff in databases, spreadsheets and word processing

Volunteer Experience & Causes

  • Mentor

    Team in Training
    (1 year 5 months)

Organizations David supports:

  • Team in Training
  • Dispora

Education

  • Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, University College Dublin

    MBS, - Master of Business Studies in Marketing

    Master of Business Studies in Marketing

    Activities and Societies: Business Administration, Management, Marketing, International Marketing, Statistics, SPSS, negotiations

  • Stanford University Graduate School of Business

    Leadership4Growth (L4G), CEO leadership, management, growth, strategy, internationalization, funding, audited only / no grade

    Audited this Executive management development program for CEOs of Irish high growth companies. Run by the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) and taught by senior GSB staff including the Dean of the GSB. Guest lecturers included John Morgridge (Cisco), Geoffrey Moore (Mohr Davidow Ventures, "Crossing the Chasm"), Joel Hyatt (HP, Current TV) and Jim Ellis (Asurion). An amazing experience.

    Activities and Societies: Stanford Irish Society

  • University College Dublin

    Bachelor of Commerce, Business Administrtaion, Marketing, Finance, HR, Economics, IT, programming

    Finance, Marketing

  • American Management Association

    Management Skills for New Managers, Business Administration and Management, General
  • Dublin Institute of Technology

    Post Graduate Diploma in Business Coaching, Executive Coaching and mentoring

    Activities and Societies: Post Graduate Diploma in Business Coaching Sept. 2005 – July 2007 Dublin Institute of Technology and Peter Bluckert Coaching UK Dip.Mngt.Practice, Business Coaching

  • Peter Bluckert Coaching UK

    Dip.Mngt.Practice, Business Coaching, Post Graduate Diploma in Business Coaching, Executive Coaching and mentoring,

    Activities and Societies: Post Graduate Diploma in Business Coaching

  • Coach Institute of Ireland

    Diploma in Executive Coaching, Coaching
  •  Irish Management Institute

    Management Development Programme, Management Development Programme
  • Institute of Bankers

    Certificate in Financial Services & Mutual Funds Services, Financial Services & Mutual Funds Services

    jointly run by  University College Dublin and Institute of Bankers

  • The University of Stirling

    International Export Marketing Programme, International Export Marketing

    International Export Marketing Programme run by the Scottish Enterprise Foundation, University Of Sterling and FAS (Irish Training Agency)

    Activities and Societies: International Export Marketing, internship in Scotland

  • Life Insurance Association

    Fellow of the Life Insurance Association (by diploma), Life Insurance, Personal and Corporate Finance
  • Marian College, Ballsbridge

    Honors Leaving Certificate, Honours High School Diploma

Organizations

  • Strategic Venture Association

    Starting
  • Churchill Club

    Starting
  • CTIA-The Wireless Association

    Starting
  • Telecoms Council of Silicon Valley

    Starting
  • CSCMP (Supply Chain Management Professionals)

    Starting
  • European Mentoring & Coaching Council

  • SVASE (Silicon Valley Assoc. of Start Up Entrepreneurs),

    Starting
  • SV Forum

    Starting
  • IN-BA (Irish Network Bay Area)

    Starting
  • Churchill Club

    Starting
  • An Taoiseach's (Prime Ministers) “Insurance Working Group”

    IDA and Industry Representative
  • Inland Waterways Association of Ireland

    Treasurer

  • Institute of Bankers

  • Irish Management Institute

    Founding member of the “Internal Communications Forum”
  • Irish Technology Leadership Group

    Starting
  • Junior Chamber Dublin

  • Life Insurance Association

  • Marketing Institute of Ireland

  • Scout Association of Ireland

    Troup Leader
  • University College Dublin Scout and Guide Club

    Founder, Treasurer, President
  • National Association of Scout and Guide Clubs

    Founder, Secretary

Skills

Interests

Recommendations

A preview of what LinkedIn members have to say about David:

  • Having gone through the technology accelerator with US Market Access recently I can't recommend them enough. Any Irish company looking to access Silicon Valley can localise very quickly with David, Alfredo & the team. Great for product/market validation and connections with top level partners. Silicon Valley - it's Disneyland for entrepreneurs.
  • David is extremely knowledgeable and connected in the technology sector globally but particularly in the US. His business can open doors that otherwise would be difficult to access as he is so highly respected by all he meets. We asked David to set up meetings with high level executives at some of the world's leading companies and he delivered in a big way. He does what he says, doesn't over promise and is a pleasure to deal with.

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