David Carmell of DealRockit & Startup Rockit: Connecting Capital, People, and Ideas
David Carmell is the founder of DealRockit and Startup Rockit—platforms built to level the playing field for entrepreneurs by connecting them with capital, talent, and opportunity. A lawyer-turned-operator-turned-entrepreneur, David understands every side of the table and is obsessed with making access simple, fast, and fair.
On Clicks & Bricks, David shares how “big-guy/little-guy collaboration” can unlock growth, why private markets are the fastest path to financial control for many, and how smart matchmaking plus fingertip control can turn great ideas into real businesses.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
From law to builder: After law school and a stint with a large public company, David self-financed deals and ran his own ventures—giving him a 360° view of customers, vendors, investors, and operators.
Access is the missing piece: Capital isn’t just money—it’s people, time, and experience. Most “little guys” don’t know where to begin; the platforms streamline starting and connecting.
DealRockit’s origin: A pair of viral articles drew overwhelming demand; early enterprise validation (think major financial institutions) pushed David to build a robust, scalable platform—not just an MVP.
How it works: Firms invite customers, prospects, and partners; individuals form “deal teams,” match only with like-minded peers, and use built-in listings that function like a pitch deck—no success fees, just simple membership.
Startup Rockit’s mission: Born during COVID, it serves startups, side hustles, Next Actors (60+), and Next Gens with an education series and a marketplace to connect, collaborate, and raise.
Memorable Quote:
“Our goal is to take people, businesses, and powerful ideas and make sure they become great together.”