Sean Dempsey
InvestorManaging Director at Merus Capital · Board director at Tapresearch
Menlo Park, California
Writes $500K – $3M checks · typically $500K
About
Sean Dempsey brings firsthand insight from leading Google's Android and YouTube acquisitions to advise founders on how large acquirers evaluate startups and help them navigate M&A pitfalls.
Contact· published on Sean's own website
Invests in
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
Board director at Tapresearch
Intro paths
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In turn, Sean can intro founders to Tapresearch's investors below.
Tapresearch's investors · 3
Co-founders at Tapresearch
Experience
- Merus CapitalCo-founder and Managing Partnercurrent2008 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- Emi LabsBoard Membercurrent2024 — present
- ShelterluvBoard Membercurrent2018 — presentPalo Alto, California, United States
- NextRollBoard Membercurrent2008 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- CensiaBoard Observercurrent2020 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- TapResearchBoard Membercurrent2020 — presentMenlo Park, California, United States
- StoryHouse VenturesLimited Partner Advisory Committeecurrent2023 — present
- WomplyBoard Member2014 — 2021San Francisco Bay Area
- AllClear IDBoard Member2008 — 2019Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
- GooglePrincipal, Corporate Development2005 — 2007San Francisco Bay Area
- MicrosoftDirector, Corporate Development1998 — 2005Greater Seattle Area
- Deutsche BankM&A Analyst, Technology Group1996 — 1998San Francisco Bay Area
Skills & more
SaaS4Enterprise Software5Venture Capital37Mergers6Corporate Development13Investments8Business Development6Start-ups14Product Management1E-commerce2Marketing Strategy1Strategy27
+8 more
EntrepreneurshipOnline AdvertisingStrategic PlanningMergers & AcquisitionsPrivate EquityAcquisitionsMobile DevicesCloud ComputingLanguages English · French
From Sean's professional profile.
Deals · 1
TapresearchBoard seat
via Merus Capital · filed Aug 2020 · $6.1M raise
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.
Other disclosed investments
Board seats
Per SEC Form D filings.
Colleagues at Merus Capital
Network1
Investors connected to Sean in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Sean Dempsey?
- Sean Dempsey brings firsthand insight from leading Google's Android and YouTube acquisitions to advise founders on how large acquirers evaluate startups and help them navigate M&A pitfalls.
- Where does Sean Dempsey work?
- Sean Dempsey is Managing Director at Merus Capital and Board director at Tapresearch.
- What does Sean Dempsey invest in?
- Sean Dempsey invests in AI & Machine Learning, Data & Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, Fintech, SaaS.
- What check size does Sean Dempsey write?
- Sean Dempsey typically writes checks of $500K – $3M.
- What boards does Sean Dempsey sit on?
- Sean Dempsey holds tracked board seats at AllClear ID, Tapresearch.
- Where did Sean Dempsey go to school?
- Sean Dempsey studied at Claremont McKenna College (BA, Economics/Environment/Politics + French).
Same school
Also attended Claremont McKenna College110
Lachlan MontgomerySenior Associate, Platform & Marketing at March Capital PartnersDrew OettingFounding partner of 8VCGeorge RobertsInvestor at Kohlberg Kravis RobertsLindsay SlocumInvestor Relations Lead at ParadigmKurt ShelinePartner, Strategic Investment at Echo Health VenturesParis KokaInvestor at Serena Ventures
+ 104 more
Shared employers
Also worked at NextRoll15
Josh BreinlingerVenture Partner at FJ LabsEric LiawInvestor at IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)Sapna KaupurInvestor at Sand Hill AngelsCharles MoldowGeneral Partner at Foundation CapitalEmily BennettPartner at Owl VenturesRobin BordoliAdvisor at AUTHENTIC VENTURES
+ 9 more
Also worked at Censia4
Also worked at Google2,000
Elad GilSolo general partner investing through Gil CapitalKai-Fu LeeChairman of Sinovation Ventures and CEO of 01.AIBrian SingermanCo-founder of GPx; Partner Emeritus at Founders FundJess LeePartner and Chief Product Officer at Sequoia CapitalTomasz TunguzFounder & General Partner at Theory VenturesHunter WalkCo-founder & Partner at Homebrew
+ 1,994 more
Also worked at Microsoft1,505
Reid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockGarry TanPresident & CEO of Y CombinatorNat FriedmanCo-lead of Meta Superintelligence Labs; co-founder of NFDGKai-Fu LeeChairman of Sinovation Ventures and CEO of 01.AIBill GatesCo-founder of Microsoft; Chair of the Gates FoundationMike KriegerCo-founder of Instagram; Chief Product Officer at Anthropic
+ 1,499 more