Rick Desai

Rick Desai is a Partner at Listen, a brand-focused venture capital firm in Chicago. At Listen, Rick leads investment strategy, sourcing, and diligence and works closely with portfolio companies on marketing and technology initiatives. Rick is also a co-founder of Dashfire, a startup studio that built and invested in over 40+ companies since 2009 including 20 in Chicago. Rick was awarded a Clinton Fellowship in 2008 and spent one year leading social enterprise strategies in urban Indian slums. He previously was an investor at Madison Dearborn Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm and was in Lehman Brothers Investment Banking Group.  

Rick is an active supporter and investor in the Chicago tech eco-system. Rick is a graduate of Georgetown University and co-founder of Venturing Hoyas.

Education B.S., 2004, Business Administration, Georgetown University, Cum Laude

Academic Positions Adjunct Lecturer of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Kellogg Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 2016-present

Other Professional Experience Partner; Head of Investments, Listen Ventures II, 2015-present

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Dashfire, 2009-present

Fellow at NGO SAATH, William J. Clinton Fellowship, 2008-2009

Private Equity Associate, Madison Dearborn Partners, 2006-2008

Leveraged Finance Analyst, Lehman Brothers Investment Bank, 2004-2006

Education Academic Positions Other Professional Experience