Derrek Li

Derrek Li is an Associate at Dynamo Ventures. Prior to Dynamo, Derrek began his career as a strategy consultant covering the technology sector before jumping into the world of startups.

Most recently, Derrek spent several years at Stripe, embedded within different GTM and product teams at various stages of maturity. Through a phase of hyperscale growth across Stripe, Derrek found that he was most passionate about the nascent, 0 to 1 product teams building toward product market fit and the earliest signs of traction with users.

Outside of startups, you can find Derrek cheering on his favorite teams (Lakers, A’s, and Eagles) or digging deep into the analysis of the storyline and strategy. He’s also picked up golfing and surfing, and finds each sport humbling both mentally and physically.

What's one opportunity area in supply chain or mobility that most excites you?

As someone drawn in by the breadth, depth, and nuance of fintech during my time at Stripe, I’m most excited about the intersection between supply chain and fintech. 

As one example, I’ve seen how embedded finance can be a value multiplier for SaaS platforms and the users they serve. Similarly, commerce enablement and global trade has taken quite a turbulent ride in 2025, opening up opportunities for smart founders.

I just think there’s so much potential for transforming the tedious and mundane into a much better experience.

Detail your most important daily habit/ritual.

Taking my senior dog out for his daily walks. He doesn’t do much besides sleep and eat for 22 hours a day, but he sure does muster up incredible energy (for his age) to go on his walks around the neighborhood.

Not only do I cherish each walk we go on, it also allows me the opportunity to step away from a screen. I’ll usually listen to a podcast, ranging anywhere from startups to investigative journalism to short sci-fi stories, but find that it’s a nice way to time box in some relaxation throughout the day.

If you weren’t a VC, what alternative career would you secretly love to pursue?

I’d love to be involved in the NBA in some way or form. Back in school, I spent more of my time writing for the UCLA student newspaper, covering the basketball and football teams. It was an opportunity of a lifetime sitting in the press room with legendary ESPN reporters I watched and read.

In a parallel world, I would have continued down that path; maybe joining my childhood favorite Lakers’ front office.