Joined: October 2012
Denis Seynhaeve
PARTNER
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Consumer Goods
Information Technology/SaaS/Big Data
Services
Denis is a partner at Blu Venture Investors and a managing partner of Force V Partners, LLC, which provides financing to early-stage companies located in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. He has more than 25 years of experience as a full-time angel, having invested in more than 50 startups. He is currently a director at South49, Groupsite.com, and 3CLogic, a member of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association, and CEO and Chairman of 3CLogic, a Blu Ventures portfolio company. Early in his career, Denis was the CEO of Delsey, Inc, and held management positions at Cartier SA and Nestle.
As an early-stage investor, Denis is driven by the vitality and energy of entrepreneurs. He enjoys helping bright and motivated individuals bound on changing the world for the better. Outside of Blu, he is passionate about blue water sailing and has logged more than 40,000 nautical miles.
FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE
Management
Sales and Marketing
Strategy
COMPANIES
What drives you to invest in early stage companies?
The vitality and energy of entrepreneurs is incredibly addictive. Nothing is more stimulating than interacting with bright and motivated individuals bound on changing the world for the better, and helping them do just that.
Why do you invest in follow-on rounds?
Investing solely at a very early stage is a form of gambling. Signing the first check is the easy part. Helping the company grow and find new investors is a role the investor must take seriously. Things rarely go has planned, and usually take more time than originally envisioned. Investors must be ready to provide their portfolio companies with the support they deserve, until they truly graduate to the next level.
What are your interests outside of Blu Venture Investors?
I am passionate about blue water cruising. I sailed to the Arctic Circle at 23 and have logged more than 40,000 nautical miles since, including a 15-month family adventure around the world. Nothing beats being on a night watch, sailing across an ocean. Try it.