This summer we will be featuring our current Dingman Center staff in a special blog series. Read along and get to know a little more about each member of our team!
Seth Shuldiner, Venture Investment Manager
Although Seth Shuldiner is the newest member of the Dingman Center, having arrived in January 2017, he’s quickly proven himself invaluable to the team. Seth’s role is threefold: he manages and sources deals for the Dingman Center Angels network, works with the UM System on their new Momentum Fund and shares his experiences with students as part of a new experiential learning course on Venture Capital at the Smith School of Business. Having previously worked as an analyst at the Maryland Venture Fund, Seth brings valuable experience in venture capital investing as well as startup company operations and strategy. If you haven’t met him yet, it’s probably because he’s out and about in the DMV startup ecosystem meeting new and promising entrepreneurs.
What excites you most about your job?
The most exciting aspect of my job is without a doubt the people with whom I get to work. It’s a privilege to be able to partner with extremely bright and ambitious entrepreneurs building the latest technologies and businesses. It’s always a learning experience that I find enjoyable and challenging.
What are your favorite hobbies?
In my free time I enjoy almost anything that involves the water—boating, scuba and beach. Fitness is also important to me and running is my exercise of choice.
If you could visit one place on earth, where would it be and why?
I have always been intrigued by the Galapagos Islands and hope to visit one day because its the place that most closely resembles prehistoric times when dinosaurs and large reptiles walked the earth. I’d want to see a marine iguana or giant tortoise, which can live to be 170 years old.
What’s the most interesting thing you have in your office?
My office pretty bare. I learned early in my career from respected mentors that sitting behind a desk is no way to succeed in the venture business. I strive to meet as many people as I can as often as possible, which requires lots of phone calls and meetings out of the office.
If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would it be?
I want to have dinner with Warren Buffet, because I could probably sell my opportunity to have dinner with Warren Buffet for millions of dollars.
What would your super power be?
If I could have a super power it would be to see the future. I’ve always been someone with anxiety about knowing what the future holds for my life, my career and relationships. It would also make me a terrible venture investor to be able to know where all of my companies would be in 5 years from now.