Dayna Grayson of Construct Capital to Judge Disrupt 2021 Startup Battlefield
Dayna Grayson: A Leading Voice in Industrial Tech Investment
For over ten years, Dayna Grayson has been a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape. She is recognized as a pioneering VC who strategically constructed a portfolio centered on the evolving industrial sectors of the economy.
Early Career and Investments at NEA
During her eight-year tenure as a partner at NEA, Grayson spearheaded investments in and actively served on the boards of several innovative companies. These included Desktop Metal, Onshape, Framebridge, Tulip, Formlabs, and Guideline.
Subsequently, Grayson transitioned to establish her own venture fund, Construct Capital. This fund is dedicated exclusively to supporting early-stage startups, with a current portfolio encompassing companies like Copia, ChargeLab, Tradeswell, and Hadrian.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 Participation
We are incredibly pleased to announce that Grayson will be joining us at TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 in September. Her participation promises valuable insights into the future of industrial technology.
Proven Track Record of Identifying Transformative Technologies
Grayson’s ability to identify groundbreaking technologies has been consistently demonstrated. Desktop Metal successfully completed its initial public offering in 2020, and she continues to serve on its board, currently chairing the compensation committee.
Furthermore, Onshape, an earlier NEA investment, was acquired by PTC in 2019 for a substantial $525 million. Framebridge was also acquired by Graham Holdings in 2020, showcasing Grayson’s astute investment decisions.
The Founding of Construct Capital
Recognizing an opportunity to refine the venture investment approach, Grayson founded Construct Capital. This fund focuses specifically on the types of deals she previously managed at NEA, concentrating on manufacturing and the digitization of industrial verticals.
Construct Capital is a $140 million fund co-led by Grayson and Rachel Holt, a former executive at Uber.
Grayson as a Startup Battlefield Judge
At Disrupt, Grayson will assume the role of a Startup Battlefield judge. The Battlefield is globally renowned as a highly competitive and exciting startup competition.
More than twenty early-stage startups will present their innovations on stage to a panel of experienced VC judges. These judges will rigorously evaluate the founders on all facets of their businesses, including revenue models, go-to-market strategies, team dynamics, and the underlying technology.
The Rewards of Victory
The winning startup will receive $100,000 in prize money, along with the prestige of being crowned a Battlefield champion. Many well-known tech companies, such as Dropbox and Mint, have launched their journeys through the Battlefield.
Joining a Distinguished Panel of Judges
Grayson will be joined by other respected investors on the Battlefield stage, including Camille Samuels, Deena Shakir, Terri Burns, Shauntel Garvey, and Alexa Von Tobel.
Event Details
TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 will be held virtually from September 21 to 23. Tickets are available now, starting under $100 for a limited time!
