Managing Partner
Upfront Ventures

Suster has been a managing partner at the venture capital firm Upfront Ventures since 2007. He has led investments in companies such as Invoca, Density Nanit and Maker Studios. Prior to Upfront, he was the founder and chief executive of two enterprise software companies Citadon and Koral, the ladder of which was acquired by Salesforce. He worked as a vice president at Salesforce for a year following the acquisition. Suster began his career as a programmer and worked at Anderson Consulting for nine years. He holds an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego.

What’s the best advice you ever got? Focus more of your time and emotional energy on a smaller number of people who truly matter. What’s your favorite movie, all time and in any category? “Secrets and Lies.” It’s a movie that focuses on trying to understand what other people are going through. It reminds us that we all have small embarrassments which, when we let go of them, show us that people accept us for who we truly are. What’s at the top of your bucket list? Traveling to Vietnam! I’ve always had a fascination with spending time there. What was your first car? My first car was a 1981 Datsun Maxima. Like to have it back? No thank you! What’s the best thing about living in Los Angeles? The proximity to world-class hiking, music, food, culture, lifestyle and the beach.

YEARS ON LA500: 9