Tom Cole
Venture Partner at CatchLight Capital Partners
Palo Alto, California
Skills
Education
Work Experience
Venture Partner
2025
CatchLight is a venture investor that uses capital as a tool to help U.S. entrepreneurs and their investors adjust to changing geopolitical realities.
2020 - 2025
Co-Founder & CFO
2020 - 2025
E-commerce software and online marketing services.
2018 - 2020
Venture Partner
2018 - 2020
Investing in early-stage software and ecommerce startups while also advising multi-stage cross-border venture fund on all aspects of strategy and operations. The TransLink team has long-standing relationships with over 20 of the most significant Asian technology, Internet, electronic manufacturing services, and telecommunications services corporations in Greater China, Japan, and South Korea. These companies have invested in the TransLink Capital funds and have co-invested in its portfolio companies.
2015 - 2018
Managing Partner
2015 - 2018
Opened and co-lead the Silicon Valley based U.S. investment arm of CSC Group, including oversight of its $400M AngelList capital commitment. CSC Group is one of the largest private equity and venture capital firms in China, with US $10.5B ((RMB 70B) under management. Actively invested in U.S. based early to growth stage software, technology, and Internet startups, particularly in cases where we were able to leverage our relationships and resources in Chinese government and business to help companies successfully access the China market. Hone Capital was formerly known as CSC Venture Capital.
2015 - 2018
Advisor
2015 - 2018
Fortunate to be working with an incredible founding team building a compelling software company. ValiMail automates email authentication via a SaaS solution, enhancing overall email effectiveness, stopping phishing attacks, and in particular protecting brands and their consumers.
2009 - 2015
CEO
2009 - 2015
Beau-coup is the leading online retailer of favors, gifts, and supplies for weddings and other celebrations of life events. Successfully led company through strategic M&A process culminating in summer 2013 merger with a national retailer, Swoozie's. Through its merger, the company has evolved into an omnichannel retailer with two strong brands specializing in gifts, celebration supplies, home decor, and stationery.
1998 - 2008
General Partner
1998 - 2008
Managed ~$1B in capital commitments as member of venture capital partnership. Focused on investments in early-stage software, technology and Internet companies. Engaged in all aspects of fund management, including strategy, fundraising, human resources, marketing, and systems and technology infrastructure.
2007 - 2007
Angel Investor / Startup Advisor
2007 - 2007
Independently invest in and advise private companies such as DocuSign (in 2015, now public), Copper (formerly Prosperworks), ValiMail, Lever, Numerai, States Title, and many others. Typically advise CEO / founder of early-stage startup on venture capital fundraising, strategy, financing, and mergers and acquisitions. (2007-present)
2006 - 2007
Investor
2006 - 2007
Photobucket is the world's leading dedicated photo and video sharing service. (Acquired by MySpace / Fox Interactive Media in 2007.)
2002 - 2005
Board of Directors
2002 - 2005
Sygate was market leader in network access control solutions for large enterprises. (Acquired by Symantec in 2005.)