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David Litwak

David Litwak

Serial entrepreneur building communities in hospitality and travel technology

New York, United States
Joined July 2025

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Maxwell Leadership

Summary

David Litwak is a prolific serial entrepreneur, deeply involved in the travel technology and hospitality sectors. He founded and leads Maxwell Social, a hospitality company focused on building local social clubs, and previously co-founded and served as CEO of Mozio Group, a travel software company specializing in urban mobility solutions. He is also the founder of Tumbleweed Ventures, a venture capital firm, and Ground Control, an investment syndicate and community for the travel industry. atlanticcouncil+4
He is an active angel investor with a focus on Seed Round investments in social travel, travel & tourism, technology, media, telecom, and mobile sectors. His investment portfolio includes companies such as Airalo, The Landline Company, LoungeBuddy (acquired by American Express), Regalii, Bonsai, and HappyCo. He typically invests between $500K to $1.5M, with a sweet spot around $1M. easyvc+2
Litwak has a background in Electrical Engineering Computer Science from UC Berkeley, where he also pursued a minor in Public Policy. His technical foundation is complemented by early experiences in software engineering, project management at Skype and Criteo, and robotics internships at Northrop Grumman, where he also started a FIRST Robotics team in high school. wellfound+3
He is a notable voice in the travel and innovation space, hosting the podcast "How I Got Here: Stories in Travel & Transportation Innovation." His written work, including articles on Medium and posts on his Cafe Society blog, reflects his insights on entrepreneurship, community building, and cultural observations. medium+2
David has a global perspective, having traveled to 65 countries and holding dual US and Estonian citizenship. His commitment to global engagement is further demonstrated through his Millennium Fellowship at the Atlantic Council and his role as a Member of the Ambassador's Council at the International Crisis Group. wellfound+2
He has a diverse range of interests and experiences, from performing trumpet at Carnegie Hall to ice climbing in Patagonia. These experiences highlight his adventurous spirit and a pursuit of excellence outside of his professional endeavors. wellfound

Work

Education

Writing

Expats, Jews & Founders

July 15, 2024

An observation about the early adopters at Maxwell Social, noting how expats, Jewish individuals, and founders naturally gravitate towards communities due to shared experiences and mindsets.

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Find Your Career Algorithm

December 30, 2015

A reflection on career advice, inspired by a conversation with a friend considering joining Mozio.

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The Misalignment of Mid-tier VCs

December 9, 2014

Discussion on the venture capital landscape, particularly regarding the challenges and successes of raising seed rounds and the quality of investors.

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“Tours and Activities” is like Craigslist: It Will Be Carved Up.

December 9, 2014

An analysis of the 'Tours and Activities' sector in travel, predicting its fragmentation due to its similarity to classifieds platforms.

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What Ted Cruz & Entrepreneurs Have in Common: Lack of Self-Awareness

May 9, 2014

A commentary on politicians and entrepreneurs, drawing parallels in their self-perception and public image.

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Google Is The New Bell Labs

December 13, 2013

An essay discussing Google's acquisitions in robotics and its evolving role as an innovation hub, akin to Bell Labs.

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The Unseen Cost of Using the Best Technology: Angular.js

September 23, 2013

An article exploring the often-overlooked downsides and hidden costs associated with adopting cutting-edge technologies in entrepreneurship.

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Gentrification Is Not Our Fault

September 23, 2013

A blog post responding to criticisms of tech entrepreneurs' role in gentrification in San Francisco, arguing against the narrative of blame.

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SF Protips

September 23, 2013

A guide offering insights and advice for people moving to or living in San Francisco.

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Where’s The Real Ridesharing

September 23, 2013

A critical look at the ridesharing industry, questioning whether current models truly represent genuine ridesharing.

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How We Came Up With The Name “Mozio”

September 23, 2013

Explains the creative process behind naming Mozio, detailing how a script was used to generate the domain name.

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Hobbies

Performed in Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall before the age of 18, and toured internationally with orchestras as a trumpet soloist. wellfound

Traveled to 65 different countries and ice climbed crevasses in Patagonia. wellfound+1

Notes

SCSpencer Chandleesaid
DLDavid Litwak
is one of the most impressive tech founders they know who’s raised a pre-seed round.

Dec 30, 2025

AYAndrew Yeungsaid they’ve seen
DLDavid Litwak
navigate the challenges of building a tech startup and securing pre-seed funding particularly well.

Dec 16, 2025

JGJake Greenspansaid
DLDavid Litwak
built something remarkable as a tech founder that made a strong impression on them at the pre-seed stage.

Sep 28, 2025