Danielle joined NEA in 2017. As a Partner based in New York, she is focused on consumer, social, and commerce infrastructure companies. She is an active investor and/or serves on the board of Burrow, Fizz, Goody, Patreon, and Prime, among other companies. She is also a member of NEA’s Asia investing team. Prior to joining NEA, she was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs covering fintech. She graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in economics, business institutions, and Chinese.
What’s a philosophy that guides your approach to relationship-building?
Trust and respect. Whether it’s a marriage, friendship, or a working relationship, all good relationships need these two ingredients. So many things have to go right for a company to be successful. Having relationships grounded in trust and respect among the team, with the board, and with lead investors is crucial.
How do you establish trust in your relationships with founders?
For me, it’s about having a high say-to-do ratio and demonstrating consistency in your follow-through, in your communication, and in how you show up—and it’s about sharing a few meals together. It’s also remembering that trust is not the same as having the same opinions.
Which parts of your personality make you well-suited for your role?
Curiosity and optimism. Both are needed to investigate problems deeply and to see the art of the possible in companies.
In your opinion, what matters most in the process of building a company?
Failing fast. There are few clichés that I believe in more deeply than this one, in life and in company building. Great companies are built by iterating with keen judgment, focus, and low ego.
How did your childhood shape who you are today?
I’ve always been a big reader and was surrounded by books growing up. One shelf in my room was dedicated to Time magazine’s annual Best Inventions issues. There was no digital print then, and they only came out once a year, so I would read them over and over again until some of the pages had to be taped together. I loved dreaming about the future and about new technologies that were being brought into the world. And now I get to do that every day.
What excites you about a sector you’re focused on?
In the last six years I’ve met hundreds of social companies trying to solve human connection problems. These companies are trying to fill a human behavioral need that is not currently being met. Those same questions they’re asking—Why are we lonely? How do we play and find joy? What type of connection is enduringly valuable to people?—are ones that I’m deeply curious about, and are conveniently representative of massive opportunities.
Any hidden talents?
I have a strong bakery radar. Put me in a new city and I’ll be able to find a great bakery very quickly. It’s genetic.
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“So many things have to go right for a company to be successful. Having relationships grounded in trust and respect among the team, with the board, and with lead investors is crucial.”
Company
First Invested
Current status
Description
2018
Block is an all-inclusive renovation platform that combines architect-grade design, construction labor, fixtures, and materials into affordable renovation packages.
2018
Burrow makes luxury furniture for real life. Through innovative design, Burrow delivers clever living room solutions that adapt to your current home and your next.
2015
Enigma is an operational data management and intelligence company. We place data into the context of the real world and make it connected, open, and actionable.
2022
Fizz is a peer-moderated social media platform exclusively available for college campuses to create hyper-local digital communities where students can communicate about campus life. Created by college students, for college students, Fizz communities encourage users to share authentic, honest content, helping students feel less lonely as they navigate the struggles and triumphs of college.
2018
Formlabs designs and manufactures powerful and accessible 3D printing systems. The company, founded in 2011 by a team of engineers and designers from the MIT Media Lab and Center for Bits and Atoms, is establishing the industry benchmark for professional 3D printing for engineers, designers, and manufacturers around the globe.
2021
Goody is the easiest way to send gifts to the people you care about in your life.
2021
Direct-to-consumer, customizable eyewear brand reimagining the consumer experience for glasses wearers, allowing anyone to quickly and easily customize the look of their glasses anytime, anywhere.
2020
Patreon's mission is to fund the creative class and champion the new creative economy—one that gives more power to creators, inspires their fans, and builds healthier communities.
2021
A next-gen platform to unlock scalable SMB lending for community banks.
2024
beehiiv is an email newsletter platform enhancing audience engagement, growth, and monetization.