photo: cc / technotheory

Dave Troy is an entrepreneur, angel investor, software developer and community builder based in Baltimore, Maryland. He was part of the very first GeeksOnAPlane Asia tour last year that took the group to Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai and is joining the group again this year so we thought we’d ask him a few questions why.

GOAP: You were one of the original “GeeksOnAPlane” who went with Dave McClure to Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai last year. You’ve signed up for this year’s Asia trip again. What are some of the highlights of last year’s GOAP trip that made an impact on you?

DAVE: I really enjoyed getting to see the Asian tech community. I had wanted to travel to Asia for a long time and meet the tech startup communities there, but arranging those meetings would have been difficult. GOAP made it much easier and opened lots of doors. Hearing the real facts behind the Chinese Internet and seeing the Tokyo startup world first-hand was really eye opening.

GOAP: Those that haven’t been on a GOAP trip don’t often understand it’s appeal. How do you describe GOAP to others when they ask you about it?

DAVE: Since I don’t live in Silicon Valley, GOAP is an extraordinarily efficient way to form lasting bonds with Bay-area entrepreneurs through a shared experience that is both intellectually interesting and fun. It’s like a business leadership class combined with a summer camp and a vacation all wrapped into one. I made lots of lasting connections.

GOAP: Why are you taking the time out of your busy schedule to join us again this year?

DAVE: Getting to meet new people in Seoul and Singapore sounds interesting, and the Shanghai World Expo sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m also anxious to meet a whole new batch of friends in both the US and Asia.

GOAP: What are you hoping to do on this trip this time around …who are you hoping to connect with? What sectors are you looking at? etc.

DAVE: I am most looking forward to getting to know the other GOAP participants. I don’t really know what to expect in Seoul and Singapore, but I’m sure we’ll get a crash-course in the entrepreneurial culture in those cities. I’ve been studying entrepreneurial culture and am anxious to see what’s happening.

GOAP: What are you currently working on these days that we should know about and look out for?

DAVE: I’m working on three startups and continuing to do angel investing and community building. We’re about to put one of the startups (called Replyz.com) into private beta, and the other two are moving along nicely. One is in the email space, the other is in the mobile space. I’m looking forward to making connections that can help me advance these businesses!

Interested in connecting with Dave Troy during GeeksOnAPlane Asia? Follow him at @davetroy

Learn more about Dave here:

blog: www.davetroy.com (@davetroy)
community: www.beehivebaltimore.org (@bhivebmore)
investing: www.baltimoreangels.org (@baltimoreangels)
events: @TEDxMidAtlantic, @barcampbmore, @socialdevcamp
projects: www.twittervision.com, www.flickrvision.com
Partner, Roundhouse Technologies

Dave Troy speaking at Barcamp Shanghai 2009 | photo: @web2asia