Our Team

Co-Founder & Partner

Dan Goldsmith is an operator–entrepreneur with deep experience across vertical software, healthcare and life sciences. He is the co-founder and former CEO of Tendo, a healthtech company improving patient access, experience, and outcomes through data-driven technology.

Previously, Dan was CEO of Instructure, where he led the $2 billion take-private of Canvas, the leading education platform used by over 30 million students and educators. Before that, he joined Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV) as one of its first 30 employees, serving in multiple C-level roles over eight years. He helped lead the company through a successful IPO and over $1 billion in revenue, helping establish Veeva as one of the most iconic vertical SaaS companies.

Dan began his career as a software engineer at Accenture before joining IBM, where he became one of the youngest Partners in the firm’s history. He led global life sciences units and advised most of the top twenty Pharmaceutical companies.

As an investor and advisor, Dan has supported dozens of early-stage companies, helping raise hundreds of millions in capital and generate billions in market value. At Proofpoint Capital, he now partners with ambitious founders to turn vision into velocity.

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Co-Founder & Partner

Jonathan Brassington is a founder and builder of technology-enabled businesses. He co-founded LiquidHub and, as CEO, scaled it to more than $240 million in annual revenue before a $530 million sale to Capgemini.

Following the acquisition, he became Executive Vice President and Managing Director at Capgemini, overseeing one of the firm’s largest digital transformation practices with global P&Ls and thousands of consultants. Jonathan has served as a board member and advisor to leading organizations including SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC), Cordial, Penn, and PACT.

His career reflects a consistent ability to win enterprise customers, run complex operations at scale, and create durable value. At Proofpoint, he partners with founders to install the operating cadence, hiring plans, and go-to-market systems that compound.

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Co-Founder & Partner

Matt Wallach is the co-founder and former President of Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV), a Public Benefit Corporation and global leader in cloud-based software for the life sciences industry, with a market capitalization exceeding $30 billion. Under his leadership, Veeva grew from inception to billions in revenue and established itself as the most successful vertical SaaS company in history, creating the playbook for an ‘industry cloud.’

Earlier in his career, Matt led the life sciences vertical at Siebel Systems, where he gained deep operating experience and domain expertise during the company’s rapid growth phase. Beyond his operating success, Matt serves on the boards of Veeva and HealthVerity, as well as the non-profit boards of The First Tee of Greater Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Union Foundation. A high school All-American and Division I soccer player, Matt is also on the ownership team of the Philadelphia Union.

After a six-year retirement from Veeva, Matt is jumping back in to help identify the next generation of founders and actively help them build great, enduring companies.

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Principal

Jon leads the investment team and oversees deal origination, diligence, and execution, and supports the firm's portfolio companies.

Previously, Jon was Vice President of Investments at FFO Capital, a single-family office with a multi-asset class portfolio. There he co-led the venture and private equity strategy, covering primary fund commitments, GP-led secondaries, and direct co-investments across venture, growth equity, and buyout. His investments included vertical software companies like TradingView, Proof, Activate Learning, and Sharecare. Before FFO, Jon was an investor at Osage Venture Partners, an early-stage firm focused on enterprise software, where he led a team of investment professionals and sat on the boards of several portfolio companies, including Vertical AI companies in education, healthcare, and hospitality.

Jon has partnered with dozens of early-stage companies across enterprise software. At Proofpoint, he brings that experience to the next category-defining companies in Vertical AI.

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Head of Finance & Operations

As Head of Finance & Operations and Fund Controller at Proofpoint Capital, Melissa runs the financial and operational functions of the firm and fund, covering fund accounting, financial reporting, LP relations, compliance operations, and technology systems.

Previously, Melissa was an auditor at KPMG in its investment management practice, where she supported a range of private and public funds, including emerging managers through first-time fund formations, initial audits, and regulatory filings. She then joined Vanguard, where she led the fund administration team's effort to bring AI-driven automation into live production. Most recently, she consulted with funds and businesses on operational buildouts, fund administration, technology implementation, and finance function design.

At Proofpoint, Melissa applies that mix of regulatory, fund administration, and operational experience to build the infrastructure behind an enduring firm and the LPs who back it.

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Executive Assistant

Lauren runs the firm's executive operations and keeps its leadership coordinated and on pace.

Previously, Lauren was Executive Assistant to the CEO at Infinity Constellation, where she was the central point of coordination for business unit leaders and tightened meeting cadences through active fundraising. Before that, she spent a decade at Thrive Capital supporting the CFO and Head of Research, running wire management, fund administration, and portfolio valuations.

At Proofpoint, Lauren draws on her background in fund operations and executive support to build the infrastructure the partners need to move on their strategic priorities.

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Investment Analyst

Braden focuses on sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities across early-stage Vertical AI companies. He supports the investment process end-to-end, from thematic sourcing and market research through diligence on new opportunities. Braden enjoys engaging with founders and learning how their companies build and scale, and he works closely with the team to monitor portfolio companies and support value creation after investment.

Before joining Proofpoint, Braden graduated from Dartmouth College, where he played football. He went on to complete graduate studies at UNC Charlotte, where he continued his football career.

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