TheBridge profile: Bobby Franklin

Name: Bobby Franklin

Current city: Washington, D.C.

Current job: President & CEO of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA)

Past job: Executive Vice President of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA)

Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Cups & Company in the U.S. Senate Russell Building

Q. Job advice in three words? Underpromise and overdeliver.

Q: What policy issues are of peak interest to the startup ecosystem? Issues of importance to both Silicon Valley and DC are the future of the U.S. cryptocurrency industry, how VCs and entrepreneurs are navigating changing immigration policy, how tax reform impacts VC and entrepreneurship and what’s next, and the Trump Administration approach to tech policy.

Q. How are you (or your company, org, nonprofit) currently bridging the gap between politics and tech? On May 16, NVCA is hosting VCs-to-DC, the premier annual event that brings together the entrepreneurial ecosystem and decision makers in Washington, D.C. At VCs-to-DC, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and policymakers will take part in conversations on policy issues to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Come hear keynotes and fireside chats with leaders including Steve Case, Chairman and CEO of Revolution, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).

Q. What is a good way for the startup ecosystem to engage with lawmakers and regulators? Make a difference in Washington! We find that bringing VCs, entrepreneurs and others to Washington for direct meetings with influential lawmakers helps build relationships and shape the startup and VC industry for years to come. We will be meeting with lawmakers during VCs-to-DC this week.

Q. Who are some of the VCs you have in Washington for these meetings with policymakers? A large number of VC leaders—including managing partners from a16z, Battery Ventures, Versant Ventures, Lightspeed, Third Rock, Benchmark, Uncork Capital, 5AM Ventures, and Trinity Ventures—will be at VCs-to-DC.

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