"Dan Levitan" is co-founder and partner for venture capital firm Maveron, which invests in consumer-only businesses centered on technology-enabled products and services in commerce, education, and health and wellness. Since co-founding the firm with Howard Schultz 15 years ago, Levitan has led many of the firm’s successful investments including Capella Education Company, Quellos [legal name], Potbelly and Zulily. He currently serves on the board of directors of PayNearMe, Pinkberry, Potbelly, and Trupanion, and was recognized on the 2014 Forbes Midas List as one of the world's top investors.

Prior to co-founding Maveron, Levitan spent 15 years in investment banking focused primarily on consumer businesses. During his banking career, Levitan helped more than 100 companies go public, make strategic acquisitions or monetize the equity value they had created. As a Managing Director at Schroder Wertheim & Co., including its predecessor companies (“Schroders”), he led the firm’s consumer group and founded its West Coast investment banking division. Levitan met Howard Schultz in 1991, when Starbucks began planning for its IPO.

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I think any VC who isn't poking their head over in China has their head in the sand. That said, I don't know if this is the right time to be over there.

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I have a lot less hair and lot more gray ones at that. I think we were all caught up in it to some degree or another, and I certainly hope that I am far smarter and far more humble than I was then.

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