How David Rusenko built and sold Weebly to Square for $365M before founding Leap Forward Ventures to accelerate the decarbonization of our world
In this episode of Money Moves, Neil sits down with David Rusenko, the founder of Weebly and seasoned venture investor, to discuss his journey from launching a company in his college dorm to successfully navigating a $365 million acquisition by Square (now a part of Block, Inc.). David shares invaluable lessons on raising capital, finding product-market fit, and building capital-efficient businesses.
They explore the dynamics of Weebly’s early days, its strategic growth amidst fierce competition, and the cultural nuances of integrating into a larger public company post-acquisition.
David also offers insights into his transition to investing, the principles guiding his firm Leap Forward Ventures, and his approach to identifying exceptional founders and opportunities in the climate tech space.
Topics Discussed in the Episode:
Strategies for raising capital and ensuring efficient use of funds.
Weebly’s journey to product-market fit and capital-efficient scaling.
Lessons learned from integrating with Square post-acquisition.
The evolution of David’s investment thesis and his focus on climate tech.
Insights on identifying and supporting exceptional founders.
Connect with David Rusenko:
David Rusenko - Leap Forward Ventures | LinkedIn
Connect with host Neil Devani: