Dave Cates is a Managing Director at Insight Partners who joined in 2017 and leads much of the firm's hands-on work helping portfolio companies scale operations rather than focusing primarily on sourcing new deals. He maintains an unusually accessible approach for a large-fund MD, with open direct contact and a public focus on connecting startups with policy conversations beyond typical product and finance discussions.

• Focuses heavily on the reduction of transaction costs as a major driver of human progress and economic opportunity. Suggests that the greatest value for startups lies in solving problems where high friction prevents activity from happening at all, citing specific examples of high-cost areas like supply chain logistics, job searching, and online learning.
• Skepticism regarding the current state of AI writing tools and their impact on information quality. Questions whether the shift from search engines to answer engines is beneficial and critiques how SEO-driven content has made it difficult to find authoritative, trustworthy advice on important topics like medical issues.
• Nuanced interest in Web3 and NFTs that prioritizes utility over speculation. Singled out Loot as a project that actually made sense because it functions as a functioning key to unlock value rather than just a static digital deed.
• Appreciates humor regarding startup ecosystem dynamics and modern consumer behavior. Frequently jokes about inside VC terms like small total addressable markets and defines lifestyle creep through relatable lenses, such as upgrading to electric bike rentals or changing home-buying search filters.