Dave is the founder of North Bank Innovations, an entrepreneurial support organization starting a nonprofit incubator based in Vancouver, Washington, that supports early-stage founders through programming, mentorship, and community activation. North Bank also produces Vantechy and Startup Conversation in the Coouve, some of the largest and most consistent innovation meetups in the region, serving a vibrant and growing network of founders, investors, and tech talent.
In parallel, Dave serves as Director of Business Development at Formos, a global custom software development firm. He works with startups, enterprise clients, and corporate innovation teams to define product strategy, shape digital roadmaps, and develop web and mobile applications that unlock new market opportunities.
Dave has also served as an advisor to dozens of early-stage startups, helping them go to market, develop new products, and raise tens of millions of dollars in funding. He also serves as COO of the Applied AI Association Portland and SW WA region. Dave's work continues to shape the Pacific Northwest’s innovation ecosystem—supporting bold ideas, creative founders, and the connective infrastructure that brings new ventures to life.
Born in the heart of Silicon Valley, Dave Barcos co-founded his first venture—a digital design startup—at just 23. Drawn by creative opportunity and meaningful relationships, he moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1990, where he launched his freelance career in art and creative direction. Over the next decade, Dave partnered with top agencies and global brands, contributing to high-impact campaigns for Nike, Intel, ESPN, Whole Foods, Adidas, and more. He worked with some of the most respected creative shops in the region, including Wieden & Kennedy, Sandstrom Partners, Cole & Weber, and Elvis & Bonaparte, cementing his role as a key creative force during a transformative era for brand storytelling.
In 1998, he co-founded his third startup—an ambitious CRM and hybrid marketing platform that merged early web technologies with behavioral targeting and direct response. It marked a pivotal shift from creative services to scalable tech ventures. Over the next 20 years, Dave co-founded a total of four other startups across SaaS, consumer products, design, and community innovation. With each new venture, he refined his skills in product development, market validation, and team leadership—building a reputation for helping early-stage companies find clarity and momentum.
