David Dufresne

Founding Partner

2021 - Current

Pref is my consulting and angel investing entity. I have made angel investments in early-stage startups and funds (YPC Technologies, Maxa AI, Native Voice, Side Door, Thematic, Arcadia Games, Appetronix, Vessel, GoFor, Front Row Ventures and a few more). I am also a mentor/advisor with various accelerators; Techstars AI, Founder Fuel, Creative Destruction Lab, Next AI, etc.). I have collaborated and consulted with Québec Tech, Innovobot, Accelia Capital, Telegraph Hill Capital and others.

Director

2022

Partner

2023 - 2025

Working on the launch of CMD Capital, a new leading venture capital firm for AI-strong seed-stage startups. We plan to focus on Canadian startups that are using AI in non-trivial ways, to solve mission-critical problems across B2B and Enterprise sectors.

Venture Partner

2021 - 2022

Partner

2017 - 2021

Panache Ventures is the most active and best performing Canadian seed stage venture capital fund. Panache is led by a team of experienced operators, with a strong angel investor track record, years of institutional VC experience and a strong network in Canada, in Silicon Valley and worldwide. The fund has a founders-first philosophy, a commitment to diversity and strategically co-invests with smart angel investors and seed-stage funds. If you are going to invest in the best early stage tech startups, better invest with Panache! -- Panache Ventures est le fonds de capital de risque d’amorçage le plus actif et le plus performant au Canada. Panache est mené par une équipe d’opérateurs d’expérience, anges investisseurs à succès et avec des années d’expérience en capital de risque. L’équipe a un réseau vaste au Canada, dans la Silicon Valley et ailleurs dans le monde. Le fonds a une approche qui favorise les entrepreneurs, privilégie la diversité et co-investit stratégiquement avec les meilleurs anges investisseurs et autres fonds d’amorçage. Si vous voulez investir dans les meilleures jeunes entreprises techno, faites-le avec Panache !

Partner - 500 Canada

2016 - 2017

With the creation of 500 Canada, startups across the country are able to leverage the 500 Startups brand and extensive network of mentors, founders, and partners that come from over 1,500 portfolio companies around the world.

Head of Strategy and Growth

2015 - 2016

Bandcamp is a thriving, global music community where fans discover new artists, intimately connect with them, and directly compensate them for their work. I spent a year consulting with Bandcamp full time, working on the product roadmap, business strategy, PR, corporate growth, and I led one of the company's main product initiative.

CEO

2010 - 2015

Bandzoogle is the most powerful website builder and marketing platform for independent music artists. I was Bandzoogle's CEO for 4.5 years, working with the founder/CTO and handling all business aspects. During my tenure Bandzoogle almost tripled in size, acquired 3 companies, formed many strategic partnerships, grew its profitability and established its market leadership.

Venture Associate

2008 - 2010

Worked as an associate for JLA Ventures and the BlackBerry Partners Fund (now Relay Ventures). Led early stage investments in the mobile and smartphone industry, web, and software.

Investment Manager

2001 - 2008

Professional VC investor for the largest financial institution in Quebec (http://www.desjardins.com/en/a_propos/profil/difference/chiffres.jsp). Started as an analyst and became a manager in 2005. Specialized in information technologies (software, internet,multimedia, video games). Currently observer on the boards of Artificial Mind & Movement, Cogiscan, New IT Healthcare and TechnologyEvaluation.com.

Research Assistant

1996 - 2001