Dawson Racek

Deal Flow & Due Diligence Analyst

2022 - Current

VentureSouth is a top 10, early-stage venture firm that develops and manages angel investment groups and funds throughout the Southeast. Since our inception with the Upstate Carolina Angel Network (UCAN) in 2008, VentureSouth has grown to include nearly 500 investors across 18 angel groups and 6 committed capital funds, making us one of the largest angel investment organizations in the United States. To date, VentureSouth has deployed $80 million in nearly 100 companies. Follow us to learn how we Make Money. Have Fun. Do Good.

Venture Capital Intern

2022 - 2022

At RingCentral Ventures, I focused on sourcing startups within our investment thesis, specifically targeting SaaS, UCaaS, Conversational AI, and cloud-built environments. I was involved in all aspects of due diligence for new investments, including business analysis, industry thesis, competitive landscape, business/pricing models, financial/valuation modeling, and deal structuring, working closely with the C-suite team. I helped manage a portfolio of over 10 early-stage investments, providing professional and accurate portfolio and market reporting to the C-suite team every quarter. My responsibilities included gathering, interpreting, and repackaging market reports from sources such as Pitchbook, Gartner, and Forrester. I presented quarterly macro-analysis and sector-specific analyses on market health to the C-suite management, ensuring informed strategic decision-making.

Innovation & Investor Relations Intern

2021 - 2022

At Jacobs Engineering, I established and led the Corporate Venture Capital program, focusing on four key verticals: Cyberterrorism Protection, Automated Design, Predictive Analytics, and Geospatial Intelligence. I successfully closed over $10M in investments across three startups, including HawkEye360's Series D, Microgrid Labs' Series A, and Electreon. My responsibilities included sourcing 30 startups into the pipeline and leading internal diligence teams comprising multiple lines of business and our corporate development team. I authored and presented various written materials such as weekly venture capital reports, financial diligence reports, industry investment landscape reports, business cases, and market research. My due diligence activities involved market sizing, industry/sector analysis, competitive positioning, technical feasibility assessments, and screening investments aligned with our innovation goals. Additionally, I developed proforma financial models to forecast business performance and potential return scenarios for over 10 startups. I regularly engaged with industry leaders, venture capital firms, and startup management teams to review synergies, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) opportunities, and equity investments. This role required coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including investment bankers, consultants, and corporate strategy teams, to execute investments and support strategic financial planning initiatives. My experience also involved supporting confidential and special projects in close collaboration with the executive management team, enhancing my skills in financial analysis, strategic planning, and valuation modeling.

Director of Finance & Corporate Partnerships

2020 - 2022

Project Manager

2021 - 2022

Led a team of 7 to provide high-quality consulting for a Fortune 200 company. Our team created of 50+ page whitepaper providing market analysis, competitive landscaping, and reported emerging technologies and trends. Consulting presentations would consist of senior-level management, which led to our team's growing soft skills. We as a team would engage with subject matter experts in our client's key focus areas to fully grasp emerging tech within industry.

Analyst

2021 - 2021

Collaborated with a team of 5 to provide excellent pro bono consulting for a public FinTech firm. Our project scope was focused on developing an M&A strategy, seeking revenue synergies, sourcing M&A targets, conducting diligence on M&A targets, and providing optimal market analysis within WealthTech, Neo-banking, Blockchain, and Mobile Banking

Associate

2021 - 2021

Took part in an 8-week long training program to enhance skills in consulting, case studies, teamwork, and professional development. During my time as an Associate, I participated in 2 in-house case competitions, developed a marketing strategy, and conducted market analysis using SWOT, PEST, and Competitor Analysis.

Director of Logistics & Pamplin Peer Advisor

2020 - 2021

Pamplin Peer Advisors serve students in the capacity of: - Strategizing with students academic success strategies, course selections, and majors/minors - Navigate students through career opportunities - Helping students find opportunities to get involved in student organizations - Referring students to support services such as career services, international programs, and tutoring

Financial and Investor Analyst

2020 - 2021

The Brag House is a tech startup that operates as a vertically integrated social network, bringing college students together and promoting school pride through college sports and eSports. In my role, I led meetings on financial models and forecasts, consulting closely with the CEO, CFO, and COO on financial reports and investor relations. I led an eight-person team focused on expanding the company’s market capture and sourced prospective VC investors, successfully securing a Series A investor. Additionally, I led a pivot team during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify a strategic gap within eSports, which allowed us to enter a new market and adapt our business model accordingly.

House Staff Leader

2019 - 2021

I work for the President of Virginia Tech and help run the events which duties vary from preparing the venue to welcoming and leading in high-profile donors/guests in.

Founder

2019 - 2020

I founded RC Microgreens with the goal to serve healthy and organic microgreens in the New River Valley. We started with a $600 grant from Virginia Tech's accelerator program through a pitch competition where we placed 1st place. With this funding, we were able to get our operations stood up, deploy our strategic marketing plan, as well as send our application to the local markets to start selling our products. In March 2020 we started to gain traction with the local community. Due to Covid-19 we, unfortunately, were not able to stay afloat in tight market conditions. Although the business was not successful, as the Founder I was able to learn and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills. Some include Leadership, Communication, Financial Accounting, Critical thinking, Strategic thinking, and one of the most important - Taking Initiative.

Marketing Specialist

2019 - 2020

Tasks involve promoting, designing and targeting on all social media platforms. Targeting and marketing to multiple local niche channels. Helping develop our website and app. Meeting face to face with customers for deliveries and for customer feedback. As well as running multiple promotional campaigns in our community.

Shift Team Lead

2017 - 2020

I work at Zoe’s while balancing my studies at Virginia Tech. I get the opportunity to give out excellent customer service and local marketing. Won the Regional award "ZK Vibe of the Tribe" for my hard work and customer service.