David Cohen
Here is a detailed, SEO-optimized article about David Cohen (American businessman / entrepreneur). Because there are multiple notable individuals named David Cohen, I will focus on two prominent ones who match “American businessman” and clarify which is being referenced if needed.
David Cohen – Life, Career, and Influence
David Cohen is a prominent American entrepreneur, investor, and executive. Learn about his journey—from founding startups to building Techstars and shaping the U.S. startup ecosystem.
Introduction
“David Cohen” is a name shared by multiple figures in business, but one of the most influential in the startup world is David G. Cohen (born 1968), an American entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Techstars, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading startup accelerators. His work has helped launch thousands of companies and fostered innovation ecosystems globally.
Another is David L. Cohen (born 1955), who built a career as a lawyer, executive, and lobbyist—holding senior roles at Comcast and later serving as U.S. Ambassador to Canada. I’ll cover both briefly, then focus primarily on David G. Cohen, the entrepreneur, since that aligns most with “businessman / startup” identity.
David L. Cohen: Executive, Lawyer & Diplomat
Early Life & Education
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Born 1955 in New York City.
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Earned a B.A. from Swarthmore College in 1977.
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Received J.D. from University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1981, summa cum laude.
Career Highlights
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Served as Chief of Staff to Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell from 1992 to 1997.
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Joined Comcast Corporation in July 2002 as Senior Executive Vice President, handling corporate communications, legal affairs, government & regulatory affairs, public affairs, and more.
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From January 1, 2020, he transitioned to Senior Advisor to the CEO of Comcast.
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Acted as Chief Lobbyist and Chief Diversity Officer during his tenure.
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In 2021, nominated and confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Canada (served December 2021 – January 2025).
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Served on boards such as the University of Pennsylvania, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, PNC Financial Services, and nonprofit organizations.
Influence & Legacy
David L. Cohen exemplifies a bridge between corporate leadership, public policy, and diplomacy. His role in Comcast’s regulatory and public affairs, combined with his diplomatic appointment, highlights how business skills translate into governance and public service.
David G. Cohen: Entrepreneur & Startup Builder
Early Life & Beginnings
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Born in 1968 in DeLand, Florida.
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Began his technical path early, working as Director of Development for a software firm, Automated Dispatch Services, Inc., from 1991 to 1994.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
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Pinpoint Technologies (founded ~1993): a public safety / EMS dispatch software company. The company was acquired by Zoll Medical Corporation in 1999.
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earFeeder: a music / audio startup later sold to SonicSwap.
Founding Techstars & Scaling Impact
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In 2006, Cohen co-founded Techstars along with Brad Feld, Jared Polis, David Brown.
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The first accelerator program launched in 2007.
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Under his leadership, Techstars has invested in thousands of startups worldwide, including more than 20 that became unicorns (e.g. ClassPass, Twilio, SendGrid, DataRobot).
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Techstars has expanded globally to dozens of cities and continues to make hundreds of new investments annually.
Thought Leadership & Writing
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Co-authored Do More Faster: Techstars Lessons to Accelerate Your Startup (with Brad Feld), which shares practical insights on scaling startups.
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He writes and speaks frequently on entrepreneurship, mentorship, startup culture, and scaling with integrity.
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Serves or has served as an advisor or board member to nonprofit and ecosystem organizations like Endeavor Colorado and the Silicon Flatirons Center at the University of Colorado.
Philosophy & Ethos
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Emphasizes transparency, speed, humility, and “Give First” as guiding values for startup ecosystems.
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Promotes the idea of “graceful failure”, acknowledging that failure is part of the entrepreneurial journey and can teach resilience.
Comparative Lens: Two David Cohens in Business
| Name | Specialty / Role | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| David L. Cohen | Corporate executive, lawyer, public policy, diplomacy | Senior leadership at Comcast, Chief Lobbyist, U.S. Ambassador to Canada |
| David G. Cohen | Entrepreneur, investor, startup ecosystem builder | Founder & CEO of Techstars, serial startup founder, angel investor |
Depending on which David Cohen you meant, these profiles provide insight into both career paths.
Famous Quotes & Insights
While direct, pithy quotes from David G. Cohen are less numerous than his published writing and speeches, the ethos running through his work is evident:
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“Give First” — a central principle of Techstars and his approach to ecosystem building.
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From his writing and interviews, he often emphasizes that failure is not the opposite of success but part of it, and that founders must iterate, learn, and persist.
For David L. Cohen, quotes are more public-policy and executive in nature, but during his Comcast tenure he often highlighted the importance of diversity, regulatory engagement, and corporate responsibility in the digital and media landscape.
Lessons from David Cohen’s Career(s)
From David G. Cohen:
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Build with purpose and help others.
Techstars’ mentorship model shows that success often comes when you push others forward. -
Failure is part of the path.
Accepting failure as a learning tool helps entrepreneurs rebound stronger. -
Scale thoughtfully.
Having a scalable infrastructure, clear values, and support network are key to sustainable growth. -
Mentorship matters.
Giving guidance—especially early—amplifies impact across generations.
From David L. Cohen:
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Leverage cross-sector skills.
The crossover from law, to corporate affairs, to diplomacy demonstrates versatility. -
Engage with policy and influence.
Executives can shape outcomes not just through products, but through regulatory and institutional engagement. -
Leadership is multi-dimensional.
Ethics, diversity, public purpose, and strategy all interplay in effective executive roles.
Conclusion
If you meant David G. Cohen (Techstars founder and entrepreneur), his biography highlights a path from serial founder to ecosystem architect, shaping thousands of startups and promoting a culture of generosity, speed, and resilience.
If instead you meant David L. Cohen (Comcast executive and diplomat), his career bridges law, corporate leadership, and public service, illustrating how business skills can extend into influence and governance.
If you tell me which David Cohen you intended, I can refine this article to emphasize that one fully, or provide deeper quotes, stories, or a visual gallery.