
About Ajay Chopra
A successful entrepreneur-turned-investor, Ajay co-founded Pinnacle Systems, which he grew from his living room into a global, multibillion-dollar company that won an Emmy award and traded on NASDAQ. He joined Trinity in 2006 and invests in consumer and business applications and services.
I have walked in entrepreneurs’ shoes, so I empathize with the roller coaster of emotions and experiences they face while pouring their souls into their companies. I think of myself as a VC with an entrepreneur’s heart.
What is your investment focus and why?
I’m diversified in my interests, spending time in consumer and business applications and services that enable people to focus on the innovations that matter by removing drudgery and improving lives. Each year I also spend time diving into a new sector so I can make informed bets, either then or in the future. My current deep dives involve autonomy, mobility and digital health.
What value should a VC add to a portfolio company?
Some entrepreneurs think that “VC value-add” is an oxymoron. While I disagree, I do believe that VCs should adhere to the principle of “First, do no harm." I'll never profess to know my portfolio companies’ businesses better than the CEOs, nor will I get on a high horse and pontificate. However, having been a founder and CEO myself, I know it's a lonely job and can relate to the daily struggles and triumphs of building a startup. It's my goal to be the trusted confidant and board member that CEOs want to call first, whether to celebrate victories, discuss a nagging thought at an odd hour, or help close a key hire -- whatever it takes to help them win.
What do you do when not working?
When the weather is right and time allows, you’ll find me on the ski slopes with my family, boating in the San Francisco Bay, or tandem biking with my wife -- our ultimate quality time activity. We can't get too far from each other on that tandem!
Ajay’s Perspective
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Why the current tech slide is different from the dot-com bubble
CNBC Squawk Boxfeaturing
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Tales & Trends of Startup Resilience
PitchBook and Will Reedfeaturing
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Why we invested in Arize AI: Repeat Trinity entrepreneur and a massive ML market
Mediumby
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Silicon Valley Wants to Help You Live to 100
Mediumby
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Fasting Platform Zero Hits Major Milestones: New Funding, Key Hires, 35 Million Fasts
PR Newswirefeaturing
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With so much late-stage money available, why are tech companies going public now?
TechCrunchby
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Broadcast: Uber IPO, Driver Strikes and the Path to Profitability
Cheddarfeaturing
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Amid Market Volatility, Uber Prices Its IPO at $45 Per Share
Cheddarfeaturing
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Broadcast: Ajay Chopra on what’s to come for the IPO market
Yahoo! Financefeaturing
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Broadcast: Profitability is an issue for big tech IPOs, sector expert says
CNBC Squawk Boxfeaturing
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Trinity Ventures’ Ajay Chopra talks NYC startups, what needs to change in Silicon Valley
New York Business Journalfeaturing
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Private equity buyouts have become viable exit options — even for early-stage startups
TechCrunchby
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Mapping Our Way to An Autonomous Future: Our Investment in Mapper
Mediumby
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A mission renewed: A Trinity entrepreneur returns to improve health one fast at a time
Mediumby
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Next Stop on Autonomy’s Wild Ride
TechCrunchby
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Gobble Creates a Winning Recipe for Meal Kits
Mediumby
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Entrepreneurs, don’t fear the seed funding slowdown
VentureBeatby
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The Long Last Mile of Autonomy
Fortuneby
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After China, India Looms As Uber’s Next Battleground
TechCrunchby
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How I conquered self-doubt as a first-time start-up founder
Fast Companyby
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Become a Dinner Hero in 10 Minutes
Mediumby
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The Cycle of Investment And Predictions For The Next Twelve Months
Forbesfeaturing
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“The Best Breakup Ever”
Mediumby
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ZIRX – It’s Not About Parking
Mediumby