Summary
David Bender is a senior associate at Fathom Fund, bringing 15 years of deep-tech experience to technical and financial due diligence, deal sourcing, and portfolio management. He co-founded an advanced materials startup and has led research teams at USC, bridging academia, military, and industry on projects ranging from the F-18 SLM program to hydrogen industrial hubs. His academic path spans MIT for undergrad and USC for a PhD in Chemical Engineering, with work on novel materials, fast-cure composites, and robust manufacturing processes. Prior to Fathom, he held roles at BCG, TOTAL, Shell, Baker Hughes, and TETRA Technologies, and has presented at SAMPE, CAMX, and Aerodef manufacturing conferences. He combines strategic and technical assessment with hands-on leadership, program management, and stakeholder engagement to translate complex tech into practical ventures. Based in Spring, Texas, he leverages a global network across academia, industry, and government to drive deep-tech investments.
16 years of coding experience
6 years of employment as a software developer
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Chemical Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Chemical Engineering at University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Chemical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
London School of Economics and Political Science
English, French