Daniel Paredes
INVESTOR
Daniel joined Sierra Ventures in 2023 as an investor, bringing a breadth of VC experiences and corporate strategy insight to the firm. He focuses on sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities across the East Coast and Pacific Northwest and is particularly interested in enterprise software, cybersecurity, AI/ML and deep tech. His journey in the tech industry began at Microsoft, where he worked across each of the company's core businesses in finance and strategy roles. Daniel holds a BA in Finance from the University of Washington and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Outside of work, Daniel has a passion for music and is also an avid sneaker collector.
Team Thoughts
A book that has influenced me is "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz, which was given to me by my mom. Overall, the book is rooted in ancient Toltec wisdom and offers a unique perspective on personal growth. I think the four agreements can be applied to all aspects of life, including the complexities of entrepreneurship.
Storytelling is one of the most critical skills for early-stage founders; a well-crafted story helps articulate your vision and clarifies how you plan to achieve your long-term goals.
In an industry that is always evolving - my biggest life hack is maintaining a relentless curiosity and embracing a growth mindset.
I learned about VC in undergrad, which planted a seed in my head. Everyone has a different path into VC but I leveraged my MBA to break into the industry after completing several internships.