What is Hyphen Nation?

Hyphen Nation refers to those of us who live between cultures and cross the chasm of living in multiple roles and identities. Asian and American. Investor and Founder. Entrepreneur and Activist. I started this newsletter because after giving countless talks, several podcast interviews, I felt like writing was the most scaleable way to share my advice. I am a founder, a father, a producer, an investor, and an activist. I write with the unique perspective of all seeing the world through all of these lenses simultaneously. I am a passionate advocate for the Asian American community as well as uplifting other underrepresented communities.

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About Dave

Dave Lu is a veteran in the technology industry, having worked for over two decades at big tech companies including Yahoo!, Apple, Cisco and eBay and founding two startups, Fanpop (entertainment social network that reached over 40 million monthly visitors) and Expo (formerly Pared) which raised $29M in venture capital from True Ventures, Uncork Capital, CRV and Calibrate to use AI to solve problems for restaurant operators.

In 2011, Dave created a community called Asian American Founders Circle which has grown to over 400 founders including Tony Xu (DoorDash), Steve Chen (YouTube), Kevin Lin (Twitch) and many others. AAFC inspired the launch of Hyphen Capital, a syndicate focused on investing in Asian American founders that has invested nearly $30 million in over 90 startups (over 50% with a female founder). He most recently started a movement with a letter condemning hate crimes against Asians which he co-wrote that was signed by over 8,000 prominent business leaders and influencers including the CEOs of Google, LinkedIn, DoorDash, President George W. Bush, Andre Iguodala, and JJ Abrams. The letter was published as a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal and has led to the launch of Stand with Asian Americans, a non-profit organization committed to fighting discrimination against Asian Americans. He recently produced the Emmy-winning documentary short ‘38 at the Garden’ about NBA player Jeremy Lin that was acquired by HBO. Dave sits on the advisory board of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and The Asia Pacific Fund.

Dave received his bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Speaking Engagements

I do speaking engagements around my work. Topics I discuss range from:

• Betting on Yourself (starting two companies and a venture fund)

• The Asian American experience

• The Bamboo Ceiling

• Workhorse vs. Racehorse

• Starting a Movement and Taking a Stand (The Wall Street Journal Open Letter)

• Producing an Emmy-winning documentary with 38 at the Garden

• The Immigrant Scarcity Mindset

• Building Communities and Networks

• The Rules of Power and How to Use Them

I’ve spoken to many companies, organizations and schools including Google, Starbucks, Microsoft, Marriott, Visa, Novo Nordisk, Pinterest, Pepsi, McDonald’s, Goldman Sachs, Cooley, BCG, YouTube, Autodesk, Docusign, Ulta Beauty, Blackstone, Grammarly, GoFundMe, Morrison & Foerster, Hellman & Friedman, Thumbtack, The University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University

Here are some testimonials:

Our Microsoft Employee Resource Group (ERG) wanted to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) with a special and unique event this year. We investigated and interviewed a number of external speakers and ended up going with Dave Lu and the event was fantastic! He first grounded the audience with a number of contributions in U.S. history achievements that our community has traditionally not been given credit for, which was great because so many people in the audience were not aware! Dave also spoke to some of the more unfortunate events/policies in U.S. history where our community was specifically targeted and adversely impacted. The “magic” of his presentation; however, was threading together the historical context, current events, community-specific stereotypes, and more common cultural values/mindsets/identity, and how we can leverage learnings across all those intersections in today’s business environments to bust common workplace myths, accelerate career growth, and be the main character in our own journeys – whether that be within a large corporation or blazing your own path! Underpinning the whole conversation was personalized experiences that really resonated with our audience – a true gift to our audience to celebrate AAPIHM!

Peter, Microsoft

Dave Lu's fireside chat on Immigrant Scarcity was very enlightening and powerful. He has an amazing way of explaining complex issues clearly and with empathy. His engaging speaking style and deep insights left me wanting to hear more, making him an invaluable voice in raising awareness and fostering understanding.

Jorge, Marriott

Dave is an open book of powerful stories! Not only has he gone through many career hoops with little to no support system in the AAPI community, but he also dared to start his own entrepreneurial endeavors and spark a movement of AAPI solidarity. By choosing his own path and being the first (if not, one of the first) to stand up against Asian hate and discrimination, he has inspired me and many others at Visa to speak up for our community and build a more purpose-driven life.

Bella, Visa

Dave Lu’s keynote was the highlight of our Starbucks AANHPI Heritage Month celebration. His message urging Asian Americans to stop living like ‘NPCs’—non-playable characters—and step into the spotlight as the main characters of their own stories was powerful, timely, and deeply resonant. Dave spoke with authenticity, clarity, and a boldness that energized our entire audience. He challenged us to rethink what leadership, visibility, and voice mean for the AANHPI community in the world and beyond.

It wasn’t just a talk but a reminder to lean into our identity, share our stories, and be advocates for each other. I walked away feeling seen, inspired, and empowered to lead with intention and courage. Dave truly lives the impact he was wants to make and does it through the lens of humanity. Dave brought more than a message; he brought momentum. We’re incredibly grateful for his impact. Thank you, Dave, for sharing your story and Em(Powering) us do the same!

Jenny, Starbucks

I wanted to personally reach out and express my gratitude for your time yesterday. It was inspiring and thought provoking on many levels. You spoke truth to power, in a way that I’m sure resonated, not just with our AAPI ERG, but with the broader audience. For sure, words are powerful and an effective medium to spread change. With that said, it was all the more impactful to sit with the individual who authored those words, to hear their personal story directly in an intimate setting that humanized the message and made it all the more tangible. Thank you for that memorable experience, as I’m certain participants like myself came away inspired and reflective.

As a side note, I plan on sharing your writings with my 14 year old son, Owen, and engaging him in discussions on the topics you cover: adopting an abundance mindset, the importance of seeking power to empower, and becoming an effective storyteller. While he’s still young, I’m excited to plant these seeds with him early on, with the hope that it inspires him to be much more than just a “NPC”.

Peter, Pathstone

I wanted to express how much of an impact your fireside chat had on our community during AAPI Heritage Month. Your ability to share your journey with such authenticity and relatability truly resonated with everyone who attended, both in person and online.

Many attendees shared how much they appreciated your insights on identity capital, breaking the bamboo ceiling, overcoming the scarcity mindset, and the importance of building networks as an Asian American professional. Your thoughtful storytelling and personable approach made these topics not only engaging but also deeply meaningful.

Your reflections on navigating pivotal career moments, breaking free from underselling yourself, and transitioning from a scarcity mindset to becoming a connector sparked important conversations within our community. It was clear from the feedback we received that your words inspired attendees to reflect on their own journeys and consider how they can take intentional steps to invest in their identity capital and networks.

Thank you again for taking the time to join us and share your thought leadership. Your influence and impact on the Asian American community—and beyond—are so important, and we’re grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from you.

Michael, Blackstone

This fireside chat is a good reminder for me to reflect on the true value of living.

Yi, Starbucks

I’m walking away from today’s conversation deeply inspired—to hold my head high, stay true to my path, and continue advocating for what matters. Today was a powerful reminder of the strength in showing up fully and unapologetically.

Calvin, Ulta Beauty

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