Most successful venture capitalists don’t have a familiarity with living in a teak stilt house in remote Thailand, but then again Dan Ciporin isn’t your average VC.
Ciporin’s experience in the remote rice paddies of the world came in the 1980s, while serving as the Director of Educational Programs for the UN-funded Sakaeo Refugee Camp. While there, Ciporin’s passion for volunteerism and improving the lives of those in poverty was ignited and has been burning ever since. From there, Ciporin began to build quite the career in business, spanning more than two decades.
Currently, Ciporin is a venture partner at Canaan Partners, where he looks to invest in companies and their leaders in the online advertising and digital media realm. He specifically focuses on e-commerce and fintech companies in the New York City area.
Prior to his position at Canaan Partners, Ciporin was the chairman and CEO of Shopping.com, where he saw the company grow to $100 million in revenue, enjoyed a massive IPO and was eventually acquired by eBay. He also served as the chairman of the Internet Lab, senior VP of MasterCard International, and as a strategy consultant for Mars and Co. and Corporate Value Associates.
Ciporin’s early business prowess was ignited while earning a BA at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He later went on to obtain his MBA from Yale University.
Ciporin currently sits on the board of Lending Club, Joor, OpenSky, Gemvara, CircleUp, borro and ShopKeep POS.
Ciporin also attributes his time in Thailand with his now vast knowledge of how to ride motorcycles and dodge water buffalo – knowledge he say has proven to be valuable in his current career as a New York City-based VC.
Firm Name:
Sector Focus:
Biotechnology, Consumer Internet, E-Commerce, Financial Services, Information Technology, Legal, Local, Personal Finance, Reputation, SaaS, Social Commerce, Synthetic Biology
Investments
OpenSky, Modria, Skillslate, Lending Club, Gemvara, Adap.tv, and Peer39
Boards
Lending Club, Joor, OpenSky, Gemvara, CircleUp, borro and ShopKeep POS
Connect
Memorable Quotes
On what he does:“I’ve seen the movie many times before and can help those who are looking for a great ending and avoid a bad one”
On what he looks for: “High quality team, great concept, ideally NYC based, but open to different locations.”
