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David Schellhase Joins Ballistic Ventures as Entrepreneur in Residence

In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its focus on cybersecurity innovation, Ballistic Ventures has welcomed David Schellhase as its latest Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR). This announcement, made on July 22, 2025, underscores the firm’s commitment to supporting groundbreaking ideas and startups in the cybersecurity space.

Schellhase comes with a wealth of experience, amassed over 25 years of legal and operational leadership. He has an impressive track record assisting high-growth technology companies in navigating pivotal transitions. Notably, he has served as General Counsel for prominent firms such as Salesforce, Groupon, and most recently Slack Technologies. His leadership helped guide these companies through significant milestones, including initial public offerings (IPOs) and acquisitions—most notably, leading Slack to its IPO and its subsequent $28 billion sale to Salesforce.

In addition to his corporate roles, Schellhase has also contributed to academia, co-teaching at Stanford’s School of Management Science and Engineering. His previous stint as Of Counsel at the legal firm Sullivan & Cromwell, coupled with advisory roles at Airtable and Webflow, provides him with a unique perspective that merges legal insight with practical business strategies.

Aiming for Cybersecurity Innovation

David Schellhase's appointment is seen as a pivotal move by Ballistic Ventures to enhance its portfolio, especially as the complexities surrounding privacy, compliance, and regulatory landscapes continue to evolve. According to Jake Seid, Co-founder and General Partner of Ballistic Ventures, Schellhase’s extensive background at the junction of law, technology, and corporate strategy aligns perfectly with the firm’s vision of driving innovation in these critical areas.

"From companies to consumers, addressing the complexities of privacy and compliance can often be burdensome. There are significant opportunities for innovation here, and we’re thrilled to have David on board to help explore and support these trajectories," said Seid.

Schellhase echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about joining a team that uniquely combines deep industry expertise with a hands-on approach—from the inception of an idea to its growth phase. His role will not only involve supporting existing companies within the Ballistic Ventures portfolio but also scouting for new ideas that can emerge from the ever-changing security landscape.

About Ballistic Ventures

Ballistic Ventures is a venture capital firm solely dedicated to early-stage investments in cybersecurity and related technology sectors. The firm prides itself on a rich history of successfully founding and operating numerous cybersecurity companies, including notable firms like Mandiant, AlienVault, and Fortify. With over 40 years of collective experience in venture capital and a robust network of industry connections, Ballistic Ventures aims to provide unwavering support and resources to its entrepreneurs, facilitating an environment conducive to innovation and growth.

To learn more about the Ballistic Ventures team and their initiatives, visit ballisticventures.com.

In closing, David Schellhase’s addition to Ballistic Ventures signals a renewed emphasis on transformative strategies in cybersecurity, enabling the firm to pioneer new solutions for an increasingly complex digital age.