Lance Cottrell
InvestorVenture Partner at The Veteran Fund · Global Entrepreneur in Residence at Founder Institute
Santa Rosa, California
Writes $5K – $50K checks · typically $25K
About
Lance Cottrell founded Anonymizer Inc. in 1995 and led the company through a successful exit in 2008. He currently serves as President and Board Chair of North Bay Angels and advises high-growth startups on fundraising, messaging, product strategy, and go-to-market approaches. Cottrell also created FeelTheBoot.com, a platform offering startup guidance to founders.
Experience
- North Bay AngelsPresident & BoD Chaircurrent2025 — presentSonoma County, California, United States
- North Bay AngelsBoard Member2015 — 2025San Francisco Bay Area
- FeelTheBootChief Executive Officercurrent2019 — presentSanta Rosa, CA
- Founder InstituteGlobal Entrepreneur in Residencecurrent2020 — present
- The Veteran FundVenture Partnercurrent2022 — presentSanta Rosa, California, United States
- Scollar, Inc.Member Board Of Directorscurrent2017 — present
- Next DecentrumStrategic Advisorcurrent2021 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- Ntrepid LLCStrategic Advisorcurrent2020 — presentHerndon, VA
- Ntrepid LLCChief Scientist - Passages2010 — 2019Herndon, VA
- Ntrepid LLCChief Scientist2010 — 2019Herndon, VA
- Obscura SecurityPrincipal1995 — 2026San Francisco Bay Area
- Crypto PharaohsStrategic Advisor2021 — 2025San Francisco Bay Area
- Safemails.NetStrategic Advisor2020 — 2025
- Phyllom BioProducts CorporationBusiness Advisory Board2016 — 2023
- AnonymizerChief Scientist2013 — 2019Greater San Diego Area
- Taia Global, Inc.Advisor2010 — 2018
- CraterAdvisor2016 — 2017San Francisco Bay Area
- Oblivion LabsAdvisory Board Member2015 — 2017
- SoCo Nexus SproutStartup Mentor2014 — 2016Sonoma County
- Anonymizer, Inc.Chief Technology Officer2008 — 2013
- Anonymizer, Inc.President, Founder, Chief Scientist1995 — 2008
- Abraxas CorporationCTO / Chief Scientist2008 — 2010
Skills & more
Public Speaking27Strategy68Strategic Planning27Management25Leadership14Linux28Enterprise Software35SaaS13Unix8Software as a Service (SaaS)4Start-up Consulting17Security99
+12 more
Start-upsCryptographyEntrepreneurshipBusiness StrategyNetwork SecurityCloud ComputingInformation SecurityData SecurityEncryptionPrivacy LawVulnerability AssessmentInformation Security Management- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) — ISC2
From Lance's professional profile.
Colleagues at The Veteran Fund
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Lance Cottrell?
- Lance Cottrell founded Anonymizer Inc. in 1995 and led the company through a successful exit in 2008. He currently serves as President and Board Chair of North Bay Angels and advises high-growth startups on fundraising, messaging, product strategy, and go-to-market approaches. Cottrell also created FeelTheBoot.com, a platform offering startup guidance to founders.
- Where does Lance Cottrell work?
- Lance Cottrell is Venture Partner at The Veteran Fund.
- What check size does Lance Cottrell write?
- Lance Cottrell typically writes checks of $5K – $50K.
- Where did Lance Cottrell go to school?
- Lance Cottrell studied at UC San Diego (MS, Physics (Astrophysics)); University of California, Santa Cruz (BA, Physics).
Same school
Also attended UC San Diego329
Elad GilSolo general partner investing through Gil CapitalMark SusterManaging Partner at Upfront VenturesChester NgGeneral Partner at AtomicBirgitteInvestor at InvestinorHouman HaghighiPartner, Business & Corporate Development at Menlo VenturesFreya Svedberg-KeatingInvestor at Medicxi
+ 323 more
Also attended University of California, Santa Cruz95
Daniela AmodeiCo-founder & President of AnthropicNeha JewalikarDirector of Communications at Scale Venture PartnersChristine SamsAssistant Controller at Crosslink CapitalAnne FoorInvestor at Khosla VenturesNoor NijjerHead of Investor Relations at Sierra VenturesJohn BurkeCo-Founder, Managing Partner at PROOF
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+ 89 more
