Fundraising Fox

Christen O'Brien

Investor

Partner, Market Development at Scribble Ventures

San Francisco, California, United States

About

Christen O'Brien is a co-founder of 500 Startups and former CMO at NFX who has led brand, marketing, growth, and content teams and built global audiences. She is also a writer and essayist whose work has appeared on outlets such as CNN, CNBC, and Medium. At Scribble Ventures she works with portfolio companies on market development, including GTM, brand positioning, content and channel strategy, audience development, and growth. She holds a BA in Communications from the University of Southern California and previously served as an ESL teacher in the Peace Corps in Eastern Europe.

LinkedIn ↗X / Twitter ↗
Latest on 𝕏

Christen O'Brien @christenobrien

"Brand perception is 33% of the work. Building a fun brand adds quickly." 💯💯💯 https://t.co/A8Aln3spRf

Jul 16, 2026

Christen O'Brien @christenobrien

My hope for the tech community is that this -- right here -- is our ultimate goal... greater than $ better than fame more lasting than power An outpouring from many, mourning your loss, because you were a force for good to so many individuals. And for the future at large. https://t.co/Ab3M4LzqMh

Jun 28, 2026 · ♥ 39 · ⇄ 3

Christen O'Brien @christenobrien

Between losing Josh Baer and now Om Malik, it's been a very sad week for the tech industry...both were the kind of people who operated with the highest integrity and in turn kept others honest. https://t.co/sWhjxjgVbk

Jun 25, 2026 · ♥ 4

Experience

  1. Scribble VenturesOperating Partnercurrent2021 — present
  2. NFXChief Marketing Officer2017 — 2021San Francisco Bay Area
  3. Silicon Valley BankManaging Director - Early Stage2015 — 2017San Francisco
  4. 500 StartupsCo-Founding Partner2010 — 2015San Francisco, CA
  5. reWiredFounder & CEO2009 — 2010San Francisco Bay Area
  6. International Business Development (IBD) Network / Dealmaker MediaDirector2006 — 2009
  7. Houlihan Lokey Howard and ZukinAssociate2004 — 2005
  8. Peace CorpsPeace Corps Volunteer2003 — 2004Bulgaria
  9. Littler MendelsonMarketing Associate2000 — 2003Greater Los Angeles Area

Education

  1. University of Southern CaliforniaB.A., Communications & Business1997 — 2001

Skills & more

Strategic Planning17Management14Team Management2Strategy13Investor Relations1Strategic Communications1Start-ups72Business Development54Venture Capital31Marketing30Strategic Partnerships34Entrepreneurship33
+12 moreRelationship ManagementBloggingFacebookDigital MediaConference ProductionSalesSocial NetworkingMobile DevicesProduct DevelopmentBrand DevelopmentSocial MediaHerding Cats

Languages Bulgarian · Italian · Spanish

From Christen's professional profile.

Same school

Also attended University of Southern California343

Shaun MaguirePartner at Sequoia CapitalDamir BecirovicInvestor at Index VenturesVojtech HornaInvestor at Index VenturesNatalie VaisInvestor at Spark CapitalErica BresciaManaging Director at Redpoint VenturesDylan PearcePartner at Greycroft

+ 337 more

Shared employers

Also worked at NFX33

Loubaba El AyoubiInvestor at NorthzoneKyle TreigeSenior Associate at Core Venture CapitalLouden RichasonPrincipal at FinTech CollectiveAnna PiñolInvestor at NFXAnastasia BudinskayaInvestor at NFXMorgan BellerInvestor at NFX

+ 27 more

Also worked at Silicon Valley Bank77

Katie RiesterPartner, Head of Investor Relations at Felicis VenturesMattias LjungmanInvestor at Moonfire VenturesAlex MarshallPartner & General Counsel at Generation Investment ManagementDavid HahnCISO Operating Partner at Ballistic VenturesEric BenhamouVenture Advisor at Think+ Ventures Management, LlcMiriam RiveraCofounder, Managing Director at Ulu Ventures

+ 71 more

Also worked at 500 Startups128

Kaz TeradaVenture Advisor at Monta Vista CapitalChristal NgAssociate at Golden Gate VenturesDemi ObayomiPrincipal at Sapphire VenturesGbenga AjayiPartner, Head of Africa and Middle East at QED InvestorsJustin LedbetterChief Operating Officer, Marlan Space at Cortado VenturesDannyInvestor at MGV.VC

+ 122 more

Also worked at Houlihan Lokey Howard and Zukin75

Richard GuVice President at March Capital PartnersGrace ChenVP of Finance at Sierra VenturesJason KwonPrincipal at Marlin Equity PartnersSahib GillAssociate at Marlin Equity PartnersJim BarsnessInvestor at FortySix Venture CapitalBrooke GoebelVice President at Five Elms Capital

+ 69 more

Colleagues at Scribble Ventures

Elizabeth Weil
Founder & Partner at Scribble Ventures
John Smothers
Partner at Scribble Ventures
Kevin Weil
Operator in Residence at Scribble Ventures
Mercedes Chatfield- Taylor
Partner at Scribble Ventures
Stu Smith
Partner at Scribble Ventures
Todd Forrest
CFO at Scribble Ventures