What is Hyphen Nation?
Hyphen Nation refers to those of us who live between cultures and cross the chasm of living in multiple roles and identities. Asian and American. Investor and Founder. Entrepreneur and Activist. I started this newsletter because after giving countless talks, several podcast interviews, I felt like writing was the most scaleable way to share my advice. I am a founder, a father, a producer, an investor, and an activist. I write with the unique perspective of all seeing the world through all of these lenses simultaneously. I am a passionate advocate for the Asian American community as well as uplifting other underrepresented communities.
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About Dave
Dave Lu is a veteran in the technology industry, having worked for over two decades at big tech companies including Yahoo!, Apple, Cisco and eBay and founding two startups, Fanpop (entertainment social network that reached over 40 million monthly visitors) and Expo (formerly Pared) which raised $29M in venture capital from True Ventures, Uncork Capital, CRV and Calibrate to use AI to solve problems for restaurant operators.
In 2011, Dave created a community called Asian American Founders Circle which has grown to over 400 founders including Tony Xu (DoorDash), Steve Chen (YouTube), Kevin Lin (Twitch) and many others. AAFC inspired the launch of Hyphen Capital, a syndicate focused on investing in Asian American founders that has invested nearly $30 million in over 90 startups (over 50% with a female founder). He most recently started a movement with a letter condemning hate crimes against Asians which he co-wrote that was signed by over 8,000 prominent business leaders and influencers including the CEOs of Google, LinkedIn, DoorDash, President George W. Bush, Andre Iguodala, and JJ Abrams. The letter was published as a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal and has led to the launch of Stand with Asian Americans, a non-profit organization committed to fighting discrimination against Asian Americans. He recently produced the Emmy-winning documentary short ‘38 at the Garden’ about NBA player Jeremy Lin that was acquired by HBO. Dave sits on the advisory board of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and The Asia Pacific Fund.
Dave received his bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
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