About Dave

Storyteller × Founder × Banker

Dave A. Liu is an advisor, investor, entrepreneur, filmmaker, author, and philanthropist working across Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and Hollywood.

He has advised on 100+ transactions totaling more than $15 billion, founded four companies, invested in businesses with billion-dollar outcomes, written a national bestselling book, and helped produce or support award-winning films led by AAPI and underrepresented storytellers.

Through Liucrative Endeavors and Liucrative Media, Dave works with a select group of founders, CEOs, investors, filmmakers, and mission-driven organizations where capital, strategy, storytelling, and impact intersect.

The Wall Street Years

"I started my investment banking career at the age of 19 before I could legally attend happy hour."

I began my investment banking career at Goldman Sachs before joining Jefferies when it was still a scrappy California-based investment bank with fewer than 200 employees and a market capitalization under $200 million.

Over nearly 25 years, I rose to Managing Director and co-head of Digital Media and Internet investment banking, and worked with hundreds of companies including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Sony, Yahoo!, and Yelp.

I advised high-growth Internet, technology, and media companies on more than 100 transactions across the U.S., Asia, and Europe — including IPOs, follow-ons, convertibles, securitizations, private financings, M&A, and private company sales.

I’ve seen companies raise, scale, sell, stumble, survive, and win, from nearly every side of the table.

After retiring from investment banking, I moved into startups and co-founded several companies in technology, media, and asset management.

Examples of my current and past activities include:

  • CEO of Liucrative Endeavors, a merchant banking firm
  • CEO of Liucrative Media, a media production company
  • President of La Mesa Capital, an investment firm
  • Vice Chairman of MobilityWare, one of the largest mobile, casual gaming companies in the world
  • CEO Advisor to Internet Brands/WebMD, a multi-billion dollar technology company
  • CEO Advisor to ProSiebenSat.1 Media, a multi-billion dollar company and one of the largest media companies in Europe
  • CEO Advisor to Vobile, a multi-billion dollar video software company
  • Investor in FIGS, a multi-billion dollar medical apparel retailer

The LIUCRATIVE® Edge

Dave has decades of experience as an Advisor, Founder, and Investor, with hundreds of companies and institutions. Liucrative Endeavors is focused on Technology and Liucrative Media is focused on Media and Entertainment.

How Dave Helps

Dave works with founders, CEOs, boards, and investors at moments when strategy matters most: starting up, scaling up, raising capital, exploring M&A, positioning for growth, or preparing for liquidity.

He brings the perspective of an operator, investor, banker, advisor, storyteller, and company builder, with a bias toward candor, creativity, alignment, and action.

Testimonials

“Dave is the smartest Internet investment banker I know. I have worked with him for many years…”

Harry Nelis

Partner, Accel
Former Goldman Sachs, Perry Capital

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Typical activities:

  • Company strategy
  • Fundraising and capital markets
  • M&A and liquidity planning
  • Positioning and storytelling
  • Board and CEO advisory
  • Investor and partner strategy
  • Media and technology strategy

How Dave Works

Dave works with a limited number of companies and creators where he can make a meaningful impact. He participates as a strategic advisor, investor, board member, co-founder, or long-term partner.

Economic Alignment

Dave prefers relationships built on trust, focus, and alignment. When appropriate, he seeks equity-based arrangements where he can participate as both advisor and partner.

Education

Harvard University
Harvard Business School

  • MBA
  • General Management

University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School

  • BS Economics 
  • Concentration in Finance

University of Pennsylvania
School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • BS Engineering, Systems Science and Engineering
  • Concentrations in Manufacturing and Robotics

Notable Academic Milestones

  • Graduate of the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology
  • Completed 5-year program in 4 years
  • Graduated with great honors
  • Member of National Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi