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Tod Francis

Founder Shasta Ventures

Menlo Park, California

Overview 

Tod Francis is the Founder and Managing Director of Shasta Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California. He has successfully invested in a diverse range of companies, including Canva, Tonal, Zwift, and Maurten, and serves on the boards of several organizations, such as SOS Outreach and Protect Our Winters. With a background in venture capital and a keen eye for successful start-ups, Tod Francis has made strategic investments in companies like Canva and Zwift, contributing to their growth and success in the market. As the Founder of Shasta Ventures, he continues to lead the firm in identifying and supporting innovative businesses in various sectors, including Cloud Infrastructure and E-commerce.

Work Experience 

  • Founder, Managing Director

    2003 - Current

    Shasta Ventures invests in early stage technology enabled companies. My focus is consumer services companies.

Shasta Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing capital in enterprises.

  • Seed Investor

    2014

  • Investor

    2017

    Led Shasta Series A investment in Tonal, a connected strength fitness company

Tonal is a smart home gym that uses artificial intelligence and coaching to provide strength training.

Raised $580,000,000.00 from Cobalt Capital, Kindred Ventures, Dragoneer Investment Group, Transformational Healthcare, Team Builder Ventures and L Catterton.

  • Investor

    2016

    Zwift is an immersive indoor training platform initially focused on cycling

Zwift operates an online fitness platform used to transform monotonous solo indoor cycling into dynamic and social adventures.

Raised $619,500,000.00 from Permira, True., Ilkka Paananen, Amazon Alexa Fund, Highland Europe, Zone 5 Ventures, Novator, Causeway Media Partners, Illusian Founder Office and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

  • Investor and Board Member

    2017

  • Board Member

    2019

    SOS provides mentorship and curriculum to help under privileged kids gain confidence and improve their life path. Programs are conducted on the mountain to provide a richer connection between mentors and the kids.

SOS Outreach is a nonprofit organization that provides outdoor exploration, adult mentorship, leadership, and community services.

  • Board Member

    2022

Protect Our Winters is mobilizing the outdoor sports community against climate change.

  • Board Member

    2014

    ClassDojo is one of the world's fastest growing education technology companies: currently used by teachers in 1 in 3 schools in the US, and growing fast in another 150 countries. They're scaling from tens of millions to 100 million+ users - and they're hiring (careers@classdojo.com) The product is a feedback platform used by 50 million+ teachers, parents & students to help students develop the character skills and behaviors they need for success in life - things like grit, leadership, creativity and curiosity. It is an important mission and we're proud to be investors alongside Paul Graham, Jeff Clavier, Ron Conway, Matt Ocko, Mitch Kapor, General Catalyst and others.

ClassDojo is a school communication platform that teachers, students, and families use to build close-knit communities.

Raised $191,100,000.00 from Five Sigma.

  • Board Member

    2014 - 2023

    Stance is building a new action sports brand by creating high performance socks with innovative design.

Stance is a designer and manufacturer of socks for men, women, and kids.

Raised $116,000,000.00 from Menlo Ventures, August Capital, Kleiner Perkins, Mercato Partners, Shervin Pishevar, ACME Capital and Shasta Ventures.

  • Board Member

    2011 - 2023

    LiquidSpace is the leading marketplace for temporary office space. Shasta Ventures led the Series A round.

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