Fundraising Fox

Marcus Ogawa

Investor

Managing Partner at Quest Venture Partners

Tokyo, Japan

Writes $100K – $1.5M checks · typically $800K

About

Marcus Ogawa is a huge-geek VC interested in classical mythology who takes formal board seats, backs narrative-driven founders tackling big problems, and continues a multigenerational tech legacy with brother Andrew.

LinkedIn ↗X / Twitter ↗
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Marcus Ogawa @marcusogawa

In the years to come software margins generally will be significantly less than where they are today; AI will enable software to commoditize itself in a Ouroboros of margin erosion. This will be glorious for civilization but terrible for traditional investors including venture

Nov 8, 2023 · ♥ 2

Marcus Ogawa @marcusogawa

Love this AI generated photo of the Pope. I imagine it to be his rap persona; “il Papa” with his debut album “white smoke” where he’s saving souls and absolving crimes through dropping dope beat rhymes. Don’t forget ‘bout your tithes or you won’tta be getting baptized! https://t.co/D0inTkFlnJ

Mar 29, 2023 · ♥ 4

Marcus Ogawa @marcusogawa

For founder's who've worked for less then market rates to seek an outsized return will likely surpass that $400k agi for the cumulative reward of years of their effort. Stunting QSBS only serves to raise the opportunity cost for stakeholders to support entrepreneurship.

Oct 29, 2021 · ♥ 3

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningConsumerData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

Experience

  1. Quest Venture PartnersManaging Partnercurrent2007 — present
  2. Quest Venture PartnersManaging Partnercurrent2008 — present
  3. thebouqs.comBoard Observercurrent2013 — present
  4. MonogramBoard of Director2012 — 2016California
  5. 500 StartupsMentor2011 — 2016
  6. Retailigence CorporationMember, Board of Directors2010 — 2016
  7. Tripping.comBoard Observer2011 — 2015
  8. Cardinal Blue Software (PicCollage)Board Observer2011 — 2013
  9. One Block Off the Grid, IncBoard Observer2010 — 2012
  10. One Block Off the Grid, IncMember, Board of Directors2009 — 2010
  11. FoodzieMember, Board of Directors2011 — 2012
  12. ViVu IncBoard Observer2008 — 2011
  13. Qik, IncMember, Board of Directors2009 — 2011
  14. Sand Hill AngelsMember2008 — 2010
  15. Dolores Labs / CrowdflowerBoard Observer2009 — 2010

Education

  1. Bentley UniversityBS, Computer Information Systems1997 — 2000
  2. Stanford UniversityCertificate of Completion, Continuing Graduate Studies2006 — 2008
  3. Sacred Heart Preparatory1993 — 1997
  4. Nishimachi International School1984 — 1991

Skills & more

Strategy17Management3Leadership4SaaS6Enterprise Software1Venture Capital50Business Development18Board of Director experienceEntrepreneurship47Business Strategy14Business Analysis3Marketing Strategy4
+12 moreStart-upsMergersAngel InvestingMergers & AcquisitionsProduct ManagementBoard of DirectorsMobile DevicesInvestmentsCorporate DevelopmentStrategic PartnershipsFundraisingMobile Applications

Languages Japanese

From Marcus's professional profile.

Same school

Also attended Bentley University73

Jessica DowdInvestor at OpenView Venture PartnersBrett RippergerDirector, Investor Reporting & Business Analytics at Sapphire VenturesAva BrunelleInvestor at Third Rock VenturesGabriella WilliamsInvestor at Third Rock VenturesGreg O'BrienInvestor at Third Rock VenturesTom MendozaInvestor at EQT Ventures

+ 67 more

Also attended Stanford University1,578

Peter ThielCo-founder & Partner at Founders FundReid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockDavid SacksCo-founder & General Partner at Craft Ventures; former White House AI & Crypto CzarKeith RaboisManaging Director at Khosla VenturesGarry TanPresident & CEO of Y CombinatorAlfred LinPartner at Sequoia Capital

+ 1,572 more

Shared employers

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 Retailigence Corporation3

Eghosa OmoiguiFounder and Managing General Partner at EchoVC PartnersPete ChristiansonEntrepreneur in Residence at PeakJeremy GeigerManaging Director at BootstrapLabs

Also worked at Sand Hill Angels103

Naeem RazaVenture Partner at Mighty CapitalGregg SmithFounder at Evolution VC PartnersAbha SinghviInvestor at Sand Hill AngelsAdam WuInvestor at Sand Hill AngelsAlan FisherInvestor at Sand Hill AngelsAlan RenInvestor at Sand Hill Angels

+ 97 more

Colleagues at Quest Venture Partners

Andrew Ogawa
Managing Partner and Founder at Quest Venture Partners
Maarten 't Hooft
Managing Partner and Founder at Quest Venture Partners
Takeshi Ito
General Partner at Quest Venture Partners
Ting Louie
General Partner at Quest Venture Partners

Network3

Andrew Ogawa
Managing Partner and Founder at Quest Venture Partners
Eghosa Omoigui
Founder and Managing General Partner at EchoVC Partners
Gary Kremen
Investor at Sand Hill Angels

Investors connected to Marcus in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.