Fundraising Fox

Drew Koven

Investor

Co-Managing Director at LDR Ventures

San Luis Obispo

About

Drew Koven is Co-Managing Director of LDR Ventures, with over twenty years of experience operating and investing in food, restaurant, fashion, and consumer lifestyle omni-channel brands. He has held leadership roles including CEO of The Beach People, VP of E-commerce & Omnichannel Retail at Guess?, President of E-commerce at Steve Madden, CMO of Melissa & Doug, and EVP/CMO of Fresh Direct. He invests at Seed and Series A stages in companies within the omni-channel food economy and restaurant ecosystem, and holds a BS in Finance, Marketing & Economics from Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management.

Invests in

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechRetail Tech

Experience

  1. LA STRONG FOUNDATION RELIEF & SUPPORTCo-Chair & Executive Directorcurrent2025 β€” presentCalifornia, United States
  2. LDR VenturesCo Managing Directorcurrent2010 β€” presentGreater Los Angeles Area
  3. Psyche Olive OilInvestor & Business Growth Advisorcurrent2026 β€” presentLos Angeles, CA
  4. GiadzyInvestorcurrent2026 β€” presentLos Angeles, CA
  5. AVID Logistics, Inc.Board Member, Business Development, Growth & Strategycurrent2015 β€” presentCalifornia, United States
  6. GarnishBoard Member, Investor and Advisor to the Co-Founderscurrent2022 β€” presentNew York City Metropolitan Area
  7. sweetgreenInvestorcurrent2010 β€” presentUnited States
  8. Thrive MarketInvestor & Advisorcurrent2014 β€” presentUnited States
  9. YUZUCOInvestor & Advisorcurrent2025 β€” presentLos Angeles Metropolitan Area
  10. REEFStrategic Advisor & Former Chief Transformation Officer/Ghost Kitchenscurrent2019 β€” presentMiami, Florida, United States
  11. Shaka TeaBoard Member, Investors and Advisors to the Co-Founders2019 β€” 2022Greater Los Angeles, California, United States
  12. LawChampsInvestor, Board Member & Chief Executive Officer, CIO, E-Commerce2017 β€” 2022San Francisco Bay Area
  13. SWAGTRONStrategic Advisor & Former President, Sales, Marketing, Omnichannel Retail, Finance2017 β€” 2022Los Angeles, California, United States
  14. The Beach PeopleChief Executive Officer, CMO & Omnichannel Retail2015 β€” 2017Los Angeles, California I Gold Coast of Australia
  15. GUESS?, Inc.Vice President of Omnichannel Retail, E-Commerce & Customer Experience2012 β€” 2015Greater Los Angeles Area
  16. Melissa & Doug, LLCChief Marketing Officer & Chief of Digital Commerce2011 β€” 2012Wilton, Connecticut
  17. Steve MaddenPresident of E-Commerce, Omnichannel Retail & Customer Experience2008 β€” 2011New York City Metropolitan Area
  18. Geoff & DrewsCo-Founder & Chief of 100% Satisfaction2001 β€” 2008Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  19. FreshDirectExecutive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer2000 β€” 2001Greater New York City Area
  20. ShopLink.com Online GrocerVice President of Business Development & E-Commerce1998 β€” 2000Greater Boston Area

Education

  1. Syracuse UniversityB.S. Whitman School of Management, Finance
  2. Mayanot Institute of Jewish StudiesExecutive Learning for Business Executives, Jewish/Judaic Studies
  3. University of Southern CaliforniaExecutive Education - Fashion Retail Strategies Program
  4. Poly Prep Country Day School
  5. Online Smicha Institute for Rabbinical StudiesRabbinical Ordination, Rabbinical Studies

Skills & more

Contract Labor7Wholesale Operations8Retail Sales7Food Technology1Food Sales1Ecommerce1Online Marketing78Restaurant Management1Health & Wellness1Third-Party Logistics (3PL)1Inventory Management1Grant Writing1
+12 moreFamily BusinessTransportationSales Force DevelopmentIT systems developmentWarehouse OperationsConstruction ManagementEducational ToysFootwearTeam LeadershipLeadershipStrategic PlanningFood and Beverage Marketing

Languages Hebrew Β· Spanish

  • ICS-100 Incident Command Systems β€” FEMA
  • IS-700.B National Incident Management Systems β€” FEMA
  • Understanding Bloodborne Pathogens β€” Relias
  • American Red Cross Adult, Child & Baby First Aid/CPR/AED β€” American Red Cross Training Services
  • Water Safety Training For Parents & Caregivers β€” American Red Cross Training Services
  • Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS) β€” American Red Cross Training Services
  • Adult CPR/AED β€” American Red Cross Training Services
  • CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers β€” American Red Cross Training Services
  • Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) β€” ServSafe

From Drew's professional profile.

Investments

Led

Court Buddy

Board seats

Court Buddy

Investor

Junzi KitchenSweetgreenTerritory FoodsThrive Market

Per the firm's website.

Colleagues at LDR Ventures

Network6

Investors connected to Drew in public investor directories β€” a warm-intro map.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Drew Koven work?
Drew Koven is Co-Managing Director at LDR Ventures.
What does Drew Koven invest in?
Drew Koven invests in Consumer, Direct to Consumer, E-commerce, FoodTech, Retail Tech.
Does Drew Koven lead rounds?
Yes β€” Drew Koven has led 1 tracked investment.

Founder mafias

Same school

Shared employers