Bob Goodman is a partner in the New York office where he has been a leading investor in enterprise software, mobile, and B2B marketplace companies for over 20 years. In that time he has helped over 15 companies reach successful M&A and IPO exits, including BladeLogic (IPO in 2007), Broadsoft (IPO in 2010), Intucell (acquired by Cisco) and Flarion Technologies (acquired by Qualcomm).
Bob currently sits on many boards, including ACV Auctions, Sisense, and many other startups. Bob is there for the highs and lows of building great companies. He is passionate about partnering with early-stage founders and being one of the first investors they call.
Before becoming an investor, he founded two successful telecommunications companies. While building his second company, Celcore, Bob raised his Series A from Bessemer in 1994. After Celcore was acquired by Alcatel through the acquisition of DSC in 1997, Bob decided to join the firm as the first partner in New York City. Prior to Celcore Bob founded Boatphone, a group of cellular operating companies in the Caribbean. Having served as CEO of both companies, Bob offers a dynamic combination of entrepreneurial, operating, and investment expertise to his portfolio companies. He holds a B.A. from Brown University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.
Bob’s approach to life and business was profoundly shaped by the lessons he learned from his parents. From his dad, he inherited a deep-rooted belief in the importance of treating everyone fairly and nurturing his relationships. His mom’s influence is evident in Bob’s direct and transparent communication style. Bob values substance over fluff and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, even when it’s tough.
While in business school, Bob co-founded a company that secured a cellular license in the British Virgin Islands and later expanded to build the cellular system in the Eastern Caribbean. His entrepreneurial drive led him to launch other successful ventures, including CruisePhone, which provided cellular and satellite connectivity for cruise ships, and CellCore, a wireless infrastructure company. These experiences not only taught Bob resilience but also gave him a firsthand understanding of the hurdles entrepreneurs face in their own journey. His advice to founders is rooted in resilience: stay the course, keep a positive attitude, and remember that setbacks are opportunities for growth.
Bob with ACV Auctions CEO George Chamoun
Dealer-to-dealer used car sales are a messy, large market, dominated by a couple of legacy players. But in 2017, ACV Auctions had started to disrupt that market with an online marketplace in Buffalo and Albany in New York and Bob recognized this, investing in the company’s Series A. He was also impressed by CEO George Chamoun’s leadership. George’s blend of people-centric management and strategic decision-making, coupled with his willingness to innovate and learn from trial and error, convinced Bob to lead ACV’s Series B and C too. ACV grew quickly and transformed from a regional player into a national one, and then into a public company in 2021.
Bob is most energized and happy in Martha’s Vineyard, where he spends his time being outside around the island. As an avid gardener, Bob grows a variety of vegetables from kohlrabi to arugula, and is working with his son to convert conventional farms to regenerative farming. This has not only served as a personal retreat and a way to connect with the land but also informs his perspective on sustainable business practices and innovation in agriculture.
“VCs don’t run companies. Management teams run companies. We’re looking to partner with teams that can build world-class businesses.”
ACV Auctions provides a mobile app and web platform that allows car dealers to quickly buy and sell wholesale vehicles through live auctions.
ACV went public in March 2021 (NASDAQ: ACVA).
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