$500 / month
Start free, decide later
Daniel is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at SKUNKLOCK Inc and Lvlup Ventures. He is a five-time founder and investor who mentors through Founder Institute, 500 Global, and Alchemist Accelerator. He helps founders clarify business strategy, plan go-to-market work, and take action on critical decisions.
Based on 10 verified mentee reviews
I spend a lot of time thinking about what the world will look like in 10 years and what role I can play in creating that future and how I can help others do the same. My background is deep-tech and quantitative finance, but I've built a career as a pragmatic entrepreneur and investor with a knack for exposing lies perpetuated in monopolistic industries and building companies to right the wrongs. I spend most of my vocational time founding, funding, and advising mission-driven companies that are tackling big existential problems.
My first successful entrepreneurial endeavor was exposing the harsh truth that power tools can cut through any lock in just seconds: a reality purposefully concealed. I co-invented the SKUNKLOCK, the only bike lock that fights back with noxious chemicals to tackle this 10B+ global theft epidemic and pull the lid off a corrupted industry. SKUNKLOCK has since saved countless bikes and sparked the birth of the 1B+ deterrent lock industry.
My work ethic and ethos are heavily influenced by my immigrant parents, who escaped communist Poland to find a better life. Entrepreneurs, especially immigrant entrepreneurs, are instrumental in creating a positive impact. I also enjoy empowering aspiring entrepreneurs by lecturing/mentoring at the Founder Institute, 500 Global, and the Alchemist Accelerator and helping deserving founders raise capital through American Pillar Partners and LvlUp Ventures (my seed stage venture fund).
I live by a few simple mantras: only criticize what you're willing to fix yourself; don't follow your passion, bring it with you; do things just because they're hard, there's less competition; and if you encounter analysis paralysis, get more data.
Looking forward to meeting you.
---- Need help choosing the right plan for you? ----
Lite Plan: Best if you want phone-only mentorship for accountability and general advice, with no prior research, no screen sharing, no document review, and no hands-to-keyboard work. Best for ongoing support after founders have already achieved some stability, and just require sanity checks and occasional support.
Standard Plan: Best if you want hands-on support where we screen share, collaborate in Google Docs, edit copy, review decks, build strategy, and work together on a call to produce real deliverables. Best for founders serious about making progress quickly and often get stuck on deliverables.
Pro Plan: Best for serious founders or professionals who need high-touch support with in-person mentorship in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, plus access to exclusive investor events, founder opportunities, conferences, and private investor dinners exceeding $1500 in value (at least 2 in-person events included per month). Best for those in Seed+ and fundraising.
5 out of 5 stars
I was extremely surprised to find such a great person who truly cares and wants to pay things forward and help like-minded entrepreneurs forward in their journey. Highly recommend
Session: Introductory Call
5 out of 5 stars
Daniel is one of those mentors you don’t come across often—someone who not only has the experience and insight to guide you but also genuinely cares about the people he helps. He has this rare ability to take complex ideas, cut through all the fluff, and break them down in a way that just makes sense. Every conversation with him leaves you with clarity and direction, which is invaluable when you’re trying to move fast and make real progress. One of the things I appreciate most about Daniel is that he doesn’t just give surface-level advice or tell you what you want to hear. If you're in the early stages of figuring things out, he will challenge your thinking in the best way possible. He helps you see the blind spots, refine your ideas, and focus on what actually matters—saving you an incredible amount of time and frustration in the process. His feedback is always on point, and you can tell it comes from deep experience and sharp intuition. But what really sets him apart is his commitment to the people he mentors. No matter how packed his schedule is, he always makes time. He’s incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and invested in seeing you succeed. You never feel like you’re just another person asking for advice—he truly listens, cares, and wants to help. Having a mentor like Daniel can make all the difference. I can’t recommend him enough—if you ever get the opportunity to work with him, take it.
Lite Plan • 3 months
5 out of 5 stars
Lite Plan • 6 months
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You tell Daniel your goals. They see exactly what you want to work on before session one.
You meet within days. Daniel reviews your application and books your first session, usually within a day or two.
You leave with a plan. Concrete next steps and a weekly rhythm from your very first week.
Daniel Idzkowski
Co-Founder/Managing Partner/Mentor at SKUNKLOCK Inc/Lvlup Ventures/Sidepocket Financial/American Pillar Partners/500 Global/Founder Institute
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Book a free intro call with Daniel
Connect with Daniel in a quick call (usually 15-20 minutes)
One-off sessions with Daniel
One-off sessions are a great option if you're looking for specific advice on a certain topic.
An introductory call is a simple way to get to know a mentor before committing to ongoing mentorship. This session gives you the chance to …
Your resume often decides whether you get the interview or get overlooked. This MentorCruise session is designed to help you strengthen your resume so it …
Sometimes the fastest way to grow is to get thoughtful feedback on the work you are already doing. This MentorCruise session is designed to help …
Session Overview Objective: Equip founders with a comprehensive understanding of their investment opportunity, assess risks systematically, evaluate investibility, reflect on strategic goals, receive actionable fundraising …
What's included in the trial?
Every trial is a little different–here's what Daniel says about their trial:
We'll meet for a quick call (usually under 20 minutes):
- Break the ice and introduce ourselves
- Discuss your goals and how I can support you
- Figure out which plan is right for you at this time
Plan Summaries:
Lite Plan - I am your support system, constructive feedback, but no screen-sharing or collaboration.
Standard Plan - Hands-on support; I am your collaborator with screen share and hands to the keyboard problem solving.
Pro Plan - (Must be in SF and pre-approved)
