Eric Chen

Eric Chen is a seasoned venture capitalist and angel investor with a strong focus on early-stage technology companies, particularly in the pre-seed and seed stages. As a Founding Partner at OVO Fund, he champions "scrappy, persistent, visionary, and high-integrity entrepreneurs" looking to build transformative tech businesses, aiming for "big unicorn outcomes." His investment portfolio spans over 150 companies, including prominent names like Palantir, Payjoy, and Sourcegraph, across sectors such as SMB Software, Security, AI, and Marketplaces. nfx+3

With a rich entrepreneurial background, Eric co-founded Tiny Prints, an e-commerce venture, alongside his wife and two Stanford classmates in 2004. He played a crucial role in its early development, leading to its eventual acquisition by Shutterfly for $340 million. This hands-on experience as a founder informs his investment approach, allowing him to understand the challenges and opportunities of building a company from the ground up. podbean+2

Eric's career journey reflects a blend of investment banking, venture capital, and operational roles. He began as an Analyst at Salomon Brothers, participating in IPOs for Asian technology companies, and gained operational experience as Director of Asia Business Development at E2open. His venture capital career includes roles as Partner and Venture Partner at WI Harper, where he led investments across the US and China, and as Founder of Uj Ventures. nfx+3

Beyond his investment activities, Eric is deeply involved in nurturing future entrepreneurs as a Lecturer in Management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He teaches in the renowned "Startup Garage" program, guiding students through the design, testing, and launch phases of new ventures, leveraging his extensive experience to mentor the next generation of innovators. stanford+1

Eric is an alumnus of Stanford University, holding both a BS in Industrial Engineering (1991-1995) and an MBA in Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business (1998-2000). This strong academic foundation in engineering and business complements his practical experience, providing a comprehensive understanding of both technological innovation and market dynamics. stanford+2