Profile

Rob Coneybeer

Rob Coneybeer brings to Shasta Ventures deep experience in building early-stage companies. Prior to co-founding Shasta Ventures, he was a general partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA) where he led 15 investments in core infrastructure technologies spanning semiconductors, software and networking equipment.

Prior to joining the venture capital industry, Rob served as a lead integration and test engineer in the Astro Space division of Martin Marietta. While at Martin Marietta, Rob helped build the first EchoStar spacecraft.

Areas of Special Interest

I am particularly interested in startups that have discovered creative new ways to connect the “real world” to the Internet. Around this theme, I am actively pursuing investment opportunities in Mobile & Wireless, Technology Applications, and Infrastructure.

Mobile & Wireless: The proliferation of handset operating systems, carrier-dominated ecosystems, and difficult user interfaces has combined to create a difficult environment for startups in the Mobile sector. However, I think that with faster wireless data links to handsets, dramatically improved display screens, and the adoption of location-based technologies, exciting new opportunities are opening up in Mobile & Wireless.

Technology Applications: I believe that significant latent demand exists for consumer-facing products and applications that leverage new infrastructure technologies in novel and creative ways. These applications range from better in-home power management, to personal health monitoring, to media management, to new ways of connecting people to each other.

Infrastructure: Sensors represent a key enabler of the types of infrastructure companies that particularly intrigue me – since they are the critical technology that links the real world to the Internet. These devices and subsystems form the underpinnings of location-based services and applications, better energy monitoring and management, and many other exciting new applications and services.

Education:

  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • M.B.A., Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Virginia

Why I Love Working With Entrepreneurs

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a rally car driver. I became an engineer instead. Today, my need for speed is met by the exhilaration of working with entrepreneurs to build great companies. Great companies solve problems for their customers in a way that becomes obvious in hindsight.

I am tremendously energized by working with entrepreneurs. Great entrepreneurs move mountains. They have a unique mix of charisma, intelligence, leadership and listening skills. They’re people that other people are drawn to. I love the fact that great entrepreneurs just make stuff happen. They know what they’re good at, and what they’re not good at, and they know how to build out their teams accordingly.

In 1998, I made a seed investment in a team of entrepreneurs who went on to become Cisco’s core carrier routing system team, responsible for the CRS-1. I get such a kick out of that! I helped make some connections; I put some people together. That’s what I get most excited about — helping create something valuable that didn’t exist before.

How I Typically Work with the Companies I Invest In

My involvement in the companies I invest in varies a great deal depending on the company and the entrepreneur. Basically, our objective at Shasta is to become the most valued board member of the companies in which we invest. For some companies that might mean talking once a month; for others it might mean talking every day. What’s important is that a CEO just picks up the phone and calls whenever he or she thinks we can be of help. And that’s different in every case.

I like to ask questions and help entrepreneurs make connections. I make introductions whenever and wherever I can, whether it’s a potential partner or customer, or a resource like a recruiter. Every time I meet someone new I think about which company in the Shasta portfolio might benefit from an introduction to that person. I enjoy that.

I like breakfast meetings. Starting out the day with a really great conversation is my favorite way to get fired up. And I love finding common interests with the people I work with, whether that’s squash, mountain biking or skiing. If I can get out of the office and have some exercise while having a good talk with someone, that’s really energizing.

Title

  • Managing Director

Expertise

  • Mobile & Wireless
  • Technology Applications
  • Infrastructure

Contact Info

"We are actively investing in an emerging wave of technology applications that connect the real world with the Internet."

Current Investments

Selected Prior Investments


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