Daniel Darling
InvestorManaging Partner at Focal Ventures · Managing Partner at Darling Ventures
San Francisco, California, United States
Writes $100K – $750M checks
About
Daniel Darling, an Australian-born, San Francisco–based ex-adtech founder and VC, hosts Five Year Frontier and connects Australian investors to North American AI/software startups, advising on go-to-market and product positioning.
Daniel Darling @danieldarling
Big news today. @coworkerapp just dropped Opus-quality enterprise AI for one-fifth the price. Same frontier models, 82% less cost. https://t.co/frWw0PJ2wW
May 27, 2026 · ♥ 9 · ⇄ 1
Daniel Darling @danieldarling
Privileged to be joining Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as a Corporate Board Member. I feel most at home in the water. From marine research diving in Africa to ocean swims along the Australian coastline, the ocean has shaped some of the most meaningful parts of my life.
May 23, 2026
Daniel Darling @danieldarling
Congratulations to Nima Aghaeepour & Joe Phongpreecha for bringing Takeoff41, Inc. out of stealth today. A Stanford-incubated startup modernizing care for pre-term babies in the NICU. Science published in Nature, first hospital live, grant funding secured and a big year ahead.
May 8, 2026 · ♥ 1
Invests in
AdTechAI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsFintechHealthtechSaaS
Experience
- focalCo-founder & Managing Partnercurrent2020 — presentSan Francisco
- Endless Frontier LabsMentor (Deep Tech & Digital)current2020 — presentNew York
- G-Startup WorldwideMentorcurrent2016 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- 5 Year Frontier PodcastPodcast Creator2023 — 2025
- Darling VenturesFounder & Managing Partner2013 — 2020San Francisco Bay Area
- VeltiDirector, Market Strategy & Solutions2012 — 2013San Francisco Bay Area
- Mobile Interactive GroupVP, Sales & Marketing (USA)2011 — 2012Los Angeles
- Montgomery & Co., LLCMarketing & Analysis2011Los Angeles
- SuedeSocial Media & Search Strategist2009 — 2010Sydney
- The ONN AgencyCo-founder & Strategic Planner2007 — 2009Sydney
- Bates CHI&PartnersMarket Research2007Tokyo, Japan
- AbeliaLandscape Gardener2006 — 2007Sydney, Australia
Education
- Stanford University Graduate School of BusinessMergers & Acquisitions2018
- Harvard Business SchoolPrivate Equity & Venture Capital2017
- Stanford University Graduate School of BusinessExecutive Leadership Development: Analysis to Action2014
- University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of BusinessCertificate of Business Excellence2014
- University of SydneyEconomics Social Sciences2003 — 2006
- Cranbrook1990 — 2002
Skills & more
+12 more
Start-upsSocial NetworkingMobile MarketingMobile TechnologyStrategySEOIntegrated MarketingBusiness StrategyDigital StrategyManagementProduct MarketingAdvertisingLanguages French · Italian
From Daniel's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business1,317
+ 1,311 more
Also attended Harvard Business School2,000
+ 1,994 more
Also attended University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business586
+ 580 more
Also attended University of Sydney246
+ 240 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Endless Frontier Labs22
+ 16 more
Also worked at Velti7
+ 1 more
Also worked at Montgomery & Co., LLC9
+ 3 more
Colleagues at Focal Ventures
Network12
Investors connected to Daniel in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.













































