About me
I build companies, invest in founders, and write about all of it.
I'm Dev Chandra — a VC associate at Context Ventures, co-founder of Startup Intros, and a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. I live in San Francisco, where I spend my days meeting founders, hosting events, and writing The Weekly Download for 22,000+ readers.
The Short Version
I started my career as a nuclear engineer in the Navy — designing reactor systems and learning what it means to operate where failure isn't an option. That discipline never left me.
After transitioning to the reserves, I spent three years as a digital nomad, building businesses from Lisbon to Bali. I ran a productivity consultancy, hit $15K MRR, attended Nomad Cruises, and built a global network of entrepreneurs and operators.
In January 2025, sitting on a beach in Bali, I had a moment of clarity: I was done running. I wanted roots. A home base. A community. Something meaningful and lasting. I moved to San Francisco and went all-in on the startup ecosystem.
Today, I sit at the intersection of three worlds: venture capital (evaluating deals and backing founders), startup building (growing Startup Intros from zero to 22K+ subscribers), and the military (still serving as a Navy Reserve officer). That cross-pollination is what makes my perspective different.
What I'm Doing Now
The Weekly Download
Every week, I break down the biggest stories in AI, startups, and venture capital for 22,000+ founders and investors. 70+ editions. 50%+ open rate. 887K+ impressions.
Context Ventures
As a VC associate, I evaluate deals, meet founders, and help portfolio companies grow. I've reviewed hundreds of pitches and have a front-row seat to what's working (and what's not) in early-stage tech.
Events & Community
I've hosted 20+ events in San Francisco — from intimate founder dinners to AI demo nights and investor meetups. Building the connective tissue of the Bay Area startup world.
Navy Reserve
Lieutenant Commander (O-4), Engineering Duty Officer. Still drilling monthly, still deploying. The military taught me leadership, systems thinking, and how to operate under pressure. I carry that into everything I build.
What I Believe
Build Over Talk
I'd rather ship something imperfect than plan something perfect. The winners go from idea to action, immediately.
Depth Over Breadth
I care about going deep — deep relationships, deep understanding, deep conviction. Surface-level doesn't interest me.
Community Over Competition
The best ecosystems are built by people who genuinely want others to win. That's the energy I bring to everything.
Clarity Creates Freedom
Frameworks over fuzziness. Self-awareness is a competitive advantage. Life can be designed, not just endured.
The Journey
2026
NowBuilding What's Next
Writing The Weekly Download for 22,000+ readers. Hosting events across SF. Investing in the next generation of founders through Context Ventures.
2025
SFStartup Intros Takes Off
Grew the newsletter from zero to 22K subscribers. Hosted 20+ events — from intimate founder dinners to 200-person demo nights. Closed pre-seed funding.
2024
SFThe AI Pivot
Transitioned from operations consulting to AI automation. Hit $15K MRR. Moved to San Francisco to go all-in on the startup ecosystem.
2021–2023
NomadThe Process Hacker
Built a productivity coaching practice, evolved it into an operations consultancy, and earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon Tepper — all while traveling the world as a digital nomad.
2016–2020
NavyNuclear Engineer → Navy Reserve
Trained at Bettis Reactor Engineering School. Served on active duty as a Nuclear Engineering Duty Officer. Transitioned to the Navy Reserve while exploring entrepreneurship.
2014
JHUCommissioned as a Naval Officer
Graduated Johns Hopkins with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an Economics minor. Commissioned into the U.S. Navy. The beginning of a decade-long journey.
Education
MBA — Tepper School of Business
M.S. Nuclear Engineering
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Economics minor
Credential of Readiness (CORe)
Graduate Certificate — Naval Nuclear Propulsion
Project on Nuclear Issues (2018–2020)
Let's Connect
I'm always down to meet interesting people. Whether you're a founder looking for feedback, an investor exploring the ecosystem, or just someone who likes good conversation — reach out.