Dave Parker

Dave Parker

Founder and Chair at Trajectory Network
Greater Seattle Area

Dave Parker is Managing Partner at DKParker, LLC, Secretary Board of Directors at Think Forward Foundation, Founder and Chair at Trajectory Network, Inc, Board Member and Startup Programs Chair at Washington Technology Industry Association, and President at Trajectory Startup Playbook. He founded Trajectory Network, Inc and Trajectory Startup Playbook, both of which are still running. His professional expertise includes entrepreneurship, venture capital, board leadership, and authoring business books.

What's next

Start Something with Rajeev Singh
Speaking Oct 13 In person

Seattle Entrepreneurs Dave Parker and Kathy Cox Launch $1,900 Trajectory Playbook Education Platform for Startup Founders

Seattle tech veteran Dave Parker and educator Kathy Cox launched Trajectory Playbook, a $1,900 education platform to help startup founders bridge the gap from ideation to product-market fit through a 10-module AI-enhanced curriculum. The program combines Parker's 2021 methodology with community networking and expert feedback to accelerate entrepreneurial success.

Seattle Startup Leaders Oppose Washington's SB 6229, HB 2292 Expanding Capital Gains Tax on Small Business Stock

Seattle startup leaders, including Clearly AI CEO Emily Choi-Greene, oppose Washington State's proposed bills SB 6229 and HB 2292 that would expand the capital gains tax to include profits from qualified small business stock, threatening the viability of startups by taxing founders, early employees, and investors on significant gains. Critics warn this could drive founders and investors to build companies outside Washington, undermining the local tech ecosystem.

Washington Proposal SB 6229 Targets Capital Gains on Startup Stock, Sparking Seattle Tech Backlash Ahead of 2026 Tax Implementation

A new Washington state proposal, SB 6229, aims to tax capital gains from qualified small business stock sales despite existing federal exemptions, prompting concerns from Seattle startup leaders about its potential to discourage local company building. Public hearings are scheduled for January 27, 2026, and the tax would apply to gains on or after that date.

Dave Parker

Dave Parker is a 5 time founder and has been a part of 11 transactions, as a founder, operator, board member, and advisor. Dave is the managing partner of DKParker where he helps founders scale their companies for growth and exit. His 20+ year career has highlighted his ability to innovate new ideas and scale products and companies in the US and Internationally. Dave recently published Trajectory: Startup – Ideation to Product / Market Fit where he continues to help early-stage founders in the process of creating a new startup. For the last 15 years, he has held executive positions…

WTIA selects 22 Washington seed-stage startups for six-month Founder Cohort to accelerate fundraising and growth

The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) selected 22 Washington-headquartered, seed-stage tech startups for its six-month virtual Founder Cohort Program to help founders with fundraising, governance and customer development. The cohort is led by experienced founders and investors including Dave Parker, Susan Preston and Leslie Feinzaig and requires companies to have under $1M revenue and at least one product in development.

Organizations

See all 23
  • Trajectory Network Founder and Chair 2026–present · current
  • Think Forward Foundation Secretary Board of Directors 2021–present · current
  • Washington Technology Industry Association logo
    Washington Technology Industry Association Board Member | Startup Programs Chair 2018–present · current

Education

  • University of Washington BA, Speech Communications · 1982–1986
  • IMD High Performance Boards Program, Board
  • Washougal High School

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