Bob Davoli

Founder & General Partner

Gutbrain Ventures is an independent venture firm that invests primarily in enterprise software companies and has been making investments for thirty years.  There are five variables available to assess the worthiness of any investment: people, technology, market, business model and competition.  If it takes more than five minutes to size a market, it’s probably not a large enough market; all the different business models are well-known, and the competition can be readily assessed.  Hence, it all comes down to the people and technology.  We look for passionate and driven Founders with innovative and disruptive ideas.  We dream along with the entrepreneurs! 

Bob Davoli was the Co-Founder and CEO of SQL Solutions and CEO of Epoch Systems. SQL Solutions was bootstrapped without any venture capital and sold to Sybase in 1990 before they went public. The stock deal resulted in over $100M of value for the SQL Solutions shareholders. Epoch Systems was sold to EMC in 1993 resulting in a 7.8X gain for Sigma Partners and a 14X gain for Gutbrain Ventures.

Robert Davoli has appeared on the Forbes Midas List five times.

2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, & 2005

Bob Davoli, singer/songwriter

www.bobdavoli.com

Bob Davoli writes, plays and sings his own original music. Bob's style is jazz-infused folk music.

Bob released his debut album, Wistfully Yours, in January 2021. He also released a 37-track Deluxe Edition of Wistfully Yours on March 5, 2021. Most recently, Bob released Wistfully Yours: Solo Edition, which is just Bob singing lead, harmony, and his guitar. The link to listen to all Wistfully Yours albums and to make a purchase is here: www.bobdavoli.com.

All proceeds from the albums will be donated to the Chicago Food Not Bombs, Humboldt Park Chapter. The mission of Food Not Bombs is to recover and share free vegan or vegetarian food with the public, without restriction to protest war, poverty, and the destruction of the environment. You can read more at their website:
https://www.facebook.com/fnbhumboldtpark/

“So, the spirit of John Prine and Bob Dylan are whisked away to another dimension, and it returns as the songs of Bob Davoli. Over the last decade, I’ve listened to Mr. Davoli’s music mature into a fine edged knife of clear, soul touching expression. His commitment to becoming a current musical force has been a delight to watch. Bob is, by any standard, the real thing. Showcased by exceptional recording and production, his first collection soars. Nice to know that someone is committed to getting it right. “ 

Livingston Taylor
Acclaimed singer/songwriter

"[Don’t You Let the Darkness Drag You Down] flows with the gentle breeze of wisdom. It’s all grace, with no snarls.”

Melissa Clarke
Americana Highways
November 30, 2020

“Songs like the deeply personal ‘Transistor Radio and Me,’ which was selected as a finalist in the 21st Annual Great American Song Contest, showcases Davoli’s talent as a writer… Davoli’s descriptive lyrics and vulnerable storytelling leave an impression with listeners.”

Annie Reuter
Forbes
January 15, 2021

“There is no doubt that a lot of thought went into each word of this song [‘Transistor Radio and Me’], and all the others on Wistfully Yours.”

Madeleine O’Connell
American Songwriter Magazine
January 19, 2021

“Davoli has spent the last seven decades preparing for this album debut…an empathic and fully evolved artist…songs like ‘Transistor Radio and Me’ and ‘What I Remember Most’ run the emotional spectrum, from personal trauma to enduring love. Prepare to open your heart and feel.”
(8 out of 10)

Eric Harabadian
Music Connection
February 24, 2021