Dave Zinman
Business Builder, 2xCEO, 4xCOO/Pres, 3x multi-hundred million exits
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About
I'm a proven, entrepreneurial business leader with a track record of scaling and transforming SaaS and consumer digital services through strategic pivots, operational rigor, and AI-driven innovation. I’m an Executive-In-Residence at Crosslink Capital, a leader in early stage tech investing. Recently, as COO at TextNow, the world’s largest free mobile phone service, I oversaw product, engineering, data and company wide organizational alignment and clarity in a company serving 12 million monthly active users. Prior to TextNow, I re-accelerated growth as Global President at Deputy, a SaaS platform simplifying shift work across 300,000 workplaces. Throughout my career, I've specialized in transforming data-driven companies into high-growth engines. As COO of Drawbridge, I spearheaded 3X growth in ARR in a year, leading to an acquisition by LinkedIn, delivering exceptional returns for Sequoia, Kleiner Perkins, and other top investors. Earlier, I co-founded AdKnowledge, credited by Wikipedia as the originator of the ad server, a foundational innovation in ad tech. I bring a well-honed strategic mindset to every role, having engineered several multi-hundred million dollar exits, including BlueLithium’s acquisition by Yahoo!, where I later oversaw $1.6B in North American display business and achieved 3X+ growth in programmatic revenue in three years. Today, I actively advise SaaS companies and serve on the board of InMarket, a leader in real-time data-driven marketing. I’m driven by an unwavering commitment to innovation and a focus on delivering outsized value to teams, customers, and shareholders.
Notable Roles
Job Categories
Industries
Top Skills
Special Interests
What I Offer
I help SaaS and AI-driven companies overcome scaling, innovation, and market-pivot challenges by providing expert strategic insights and operational expertise, delivering high-growth opportunities through proven leadership, AI commercialization, and transformational business strategies that drive lasting impact.
Let's ConnectStrategic Advisory Services
Expert guidance on market expansion, GTM strategy, and organizational optimization.
Board Membership and Mentorship
High-impact support in AI innovation and SaaS growth.
M&A and Exit Planning
Proven strategies for maximizing valuation and ensuring seamless transitions post-acquisition.
Ask Me About
Growth Strategy
M&A and Exit Strategy Advisory
Board and Mentorship Support
AI Commercialization Playbook
Wisdom at Work
Areas of Expertise
Transformative SaaS and Consumer Growth
From strategy to execution, I've driven exponential growth in SaaS and consumer digital services, with a focus on building and scaling product-market fit and optimizing GTM strategies.
AI and Digital Identity Innovation
With expertise in AI-driven identity resolution, machine learning and natural language processing, I’ve built systems and led teams that created real-world business impact, including high-profile industry exits.
Strategic Business Exits and Market Leadership
I've been instrumental in engineering successful acquisitions by industry leaders such as LinkedIn and Yahoo!, delivering robust investor returns through operational focus and high-value product innovations.
Key Achievements
High-Value Strategic Exits
Successfully executed multiple acquisitions, including BlueLithium’s sale to Yahoo! and Drawbridge’s acquisition by LinkedIn.
Scaling Revenue with AI-Driven Solutions
Leveraged data-driven strategies to grow ARR and position SaaS companies as market leaders, achieving 3X revenue gains at Drawbridge.
Pioneering Digital Advertising
Co-founded AdKnowledge and contributed to the invention of the ad server, recognized as a seminal innovation in digital marketing.
Those who put things in context and focus on the bigger picture will navigate challenges more successfully.
Summary of Skills
