The Entrepreneurial Journey of David Tisch: From Family Legacy to Tech Visionary
Biography of David Tisch:
David Tisch, born in 1981, is a businessman and investor
living in New York City. He's known for being the managing partner of BoxGroup,
a company that invests in startups in their early stages. He's also one of the
founders of TechStars New York City, a program that helps entrepreneurs launch
their businesses.
Family Ties: The Tisch Legacy
David Tisch comes from a family with a rich history in
business. His grandfather, Laurence Tisch, was a well-known American
businessman who co-owned Loews Corporation. Additionally, his great-uncle,
Preston Robert Tisch, bought the New York Giants football team. Today, the team
is co-owned by Steve Tisch, who is also known for producing popular films like
"Forrest Gump" and "Risky Business."
David Tisch: From New York Roots to Entrepreneurship
David Tisch was born and raised in Westchester County, just
outside of New York City. His parents are Bonnie J. Tisch and Daniel R. Tisch,
and his grandfather is Laurence A. Tisch. Tisch comes from a Jewish background
and made an early investment in the eBay IPO using his bar mitzvah money, which
resulted in a significant return.
Education and Early Career
Tisch attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he
earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American history in 2003. Later, he pursued
further education at New York University, where he obtained a Juris Doctor
degree in 2006. After completing his studies, Tisch began his career by
practicing law and working at Vornado Realty Trust. During this time, he was
involved in co-founding LightsOver, an online group-buying service. However, in
2006, Tisch decided to transition away from law to focus on building his own
startup ventures.
Entrepreneurial Ventures of David Tisch
BoxGroup and Techstars Ventures
In 2007, Tisch established BoxGroup, a tech investment firm
that has supported approximately 250 companies, including notable names like
Vine, Warby Parker, Handy, and GroupMe. BoxGroup, financed personally by Tisch,
ranks among the most engaged angel investors in the U.S. Tisch also co-founded
Techstars New York City, a startup accelerator program, and assumed the role of
managing director in 2010. During his tenure, the program witnessed remarkable
success, with startups securing over $100 million in follow-on capital. Tisch departed
from TechStars in 2012.
Involvement in Technology and Innovation
In 2011, Tisch joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Council on
Technology and Innovation, contributing his expertise to shape the technological
landscape of New York City.
Spring and Recognition
In August 2014, Tisch ventured into founding Spring, a
mobile marketplace facilitating direct consumer-brand interactions. The
platform garnered investments from prominent backers like BoxGroup, Google
Ventures, and Yuri Milner. Apple recognized Spring's impact by including it in its
list of best apps for 2014.
Role at Cornell Tech
In December 2014, Tisch assumed the leadership of Cornell
Tech's Startup Studio program. This innovative initiative offers graduate
students a hands-on learning experience by collaborating across disciplines to
transform ideas into viable products.
David Tisch: A Profile of Entrepreneurial Leadership
Entrepreneurial Ventures and Leadership Roles
David Tisch is a Co-Founder and serves as an Investor and
Managing Partner at BoxGroup. He co-founded TechStars NYC and previously held
the position of Managing Director of the program. Recognized for his expertise,
Tisch was appointed to NYC Mayor Bloomberg's Advisory Council on Technology and
serves on the Investor Board of Venture for America. Additionally, he
contributes regularly to the Wall Street Journal's 'The Accelerators' online
blog.
Professional Journey and Expertise
Before his involvement with TechStars, Tisch served as the
Executive Vice President of Interactive Strategies at kgb, a global information
services company. During his tenure, he founded and led Knowmore.com, a social
aggregation startup within kgb. Tisch's educational background includes a B.A.
in American History from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from New
York University School of Law. He also served as an Executive at Trigger.nyc
and currently holds the position of Chairman at Good Dog.
Legal Internship: Intern at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen &
Katz
In 2004, he gained exposure to the legal industry during his
internship at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. This included shadowing
attorneys, attending meetings, and learning about corporate law. By
experiencing firsthand the workings of a prestigious law firm, he gained
valuable insights into the legal profession and corporate practices.
Legal Experience: Intern at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
& Flom LLP
In 2005, he gained valuable legal experience during his
internship at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. This involved
working on various legal matters, conducting research, and assisting with
client cases. By immersing himself in the legal field, he honed his skills and
gained insights into the legal profession.
Navigating Real Estate Ventures: Associate at Vornado Realty
Trust
In 2006 and 2007, he served as an acquisitions and capital
markets associate at Vornado Realty Trust, navigating real estate ventures.
This included analyzing market trends, evaluating properties, and managing
investments. By leveraging his expertise in real estate, he contributed to the
success and growth of the company's property portfolio.
Leading Internet Ventures: Executive Vice President at kgb
From 2007 to 2009, he served as the executive vice president
at kgb, leading internet ventures and digital initiatives. This included
overseeing the development and implementation of online services and products.
By driving innovation in the digital space, he helped kgb stay competitive and
relevant in an ever-evolving market.
Promoting Knowledge Sharing: Co-Founder at knowmore
In 2008 and 2009, he served as the co-founder and managing
director of knowmore, promoting knowledge sharing and education. This involved
developing platforms and tools that facilitated learning and skill-building. By
democratizing access to information, he empowered individuals to expand their
horizons and pursue lifelong learning.
Educating Future Innovators: Professor at Cornell Tech
From 2014 to 2019, he served as a professor at Cornell Tech,
educating and inspiring future innovators. This included teaching courses,
conducting research, and mentoring students in entrepreneurship. By sharing his
knowledge and experience, he empowered the next generation of tech leaders to
tackle complex challenges and drive positive change.
Advocating for Public Radio: Board Member at New York Public
Radio
From 2016 to 2019, he served as a board member at New York
Public Radio, advocating for the importance of public broadcasting. This
involved supporting quality journalism, diverse programming, and community
engagement. By championing public radio, he helped ensure that everyone had
access to reliable information and cultural content.
Empowering Food Innovation: Board Member at Lemontree Foods
From September 2018 to 2021, he served as a board member at
Lemontree Foods, contributing to fostering innovation in the food industry.
This included supporting food startups, promoting sustainable practices, and
exploring new culinary trends. By investing in food innovation, he aimed to
create positive change in how we produce and consume food.
Driving Social Commerce: Co-Founder at Spring Inc.
From 2013 to November 2018, he served as the co-founder of
Spring Inc., involved in driving social commerce initiatives. This included
developing platforms and strategies that integrate social media with
e-commerce. By leveraging social networks for shopping, he sought to create new
opportunities for businesses and enhance the online shopping experience for
consumers.
Preserving Public Spaces: Board Member at Hudson River Park
Friends
Since 2017, he has been a board member at Hudson River Park
Friends, playing a key role in preserving and enhancing public spaces. His
responsibilities include fundraising, organizing events, and advocating for the
park's upkeep. By collaborating with other stakeholders, he ensures that the
park remains a vibrant and accessible asset for the community.
Championing Pet Welfare: Chairman of Good Dog
Since January 2018, he has held the position of chairman at
Good Dog, leading initiatives aimed at promoting the welfare of pets. This
involves advocating for animal rights, supporting shelters, and encouraging
responsible pet ownership. By raising awareness and facilitating resources, he
strives to improve the lives of animals everywhere.
Venturing into Investments: Managing Partner at BoxGroup
Since 2007, he has served as the managing partner at
BoxGroup, overseeing investments in various companies. His role involves making
decisions about where to invest money and supporting the growth of startups.
This means he helps new businesses get off the ground by providing them with
funding and guidance.
Personal Milestone: Marriage to Zara Terez Zimmerman
In 2012, David Tisch celebrated a significant personal milestone by marrying Zara Terez Zimmerman.
Some companies where David Tisch invested
- Handy - Online marketplace that provides home repair & maintenance services
- Pillpack - Subscription based medicine ordering platform
- ClassPass - fitness classes across multiple gyms
- Flatiron Health - Cloud-based practice management tool
- Plaid - open banking aggregation APIs
- Glossier - offering multicategory beauty products
- Spring - Online retailer of multi-category fashion products
- Knowmore - Provider of community-based health and wellness services
- Sense 360 - Medallia is a first-of-its-kind, self-service insights platform
- NuORDER - provides a wholesale platform and digital marketplace
Timeline
1981 – Present
- David Tisch, born in 1981, comes from a family with a rich business legacy, including his grandfather Laurence Tisch, co-owner of Loews Corporation.
2003 - 2006:
- After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American history, Tisch pursued a Juris Doctor degree at New York University, later transitioning from law to startups.
2007 - 2009:
- Tisch spearheaded interactive strategies at kgb and co-founded knowmore, promoting knowledge sharing and education.
2007 – 2012
- Founding BoxGroup in 2007, Tisch supported numerous startups and co-founded Techstars New York City, a startup accelerator program.
2011 - 2014:
- Tisch contributed to shaping New York City's technological landscape and founded Spring, a mobile marketplace.
2014 - Present:
- Assuming leadership at Cornell Tech's Startup Studio program, Tisch continued to serve on various boards and advocate for public spaces and pet welfare.
2017 - Present:
- Tisch served on the board of Hudson River Park Friends and held the position of chairman at Good Dog, promoting the welfare of pets.
2007 - Present:
- As managing partner, Tisch oversees investments in various companies at BoxGroup.
2012:
David Tisch celebrated his marriage to Zara Terez Zimmerman.
Ongoing
Throughout his career, Tisch has invested in companies such
as Handy, Pillpack, ClassPass, and others, contributing to their growth and
success.
