500 Startups co-founder Dave McClure posts apology for making advances to multiple women

Dave McClure, who on Friday stepped away from the day-to-day operations at 500 Startups over inappropriate behavior, issued an apology for being a creep.

McClure acknowledged that he “made advances towards multiple women in work-related situations,” but he only addressed one situation that recently came to light after a New York Times article reported that in 2014 he said inappropriate things to Sarah Kunst, an entrepreneur who was interested in working at 500 Startups.

The Times reported that McClure sent Kunst a message on Facebook that read in part, “I was getting confused figuring out whether to hire you or hit on you.”

In a blog post titled “I’m a Creep. I’m Sorry,” McClure wrote: “My apologies to Sarah [Kunst] for my inappropriate behavior in a setting I thought was social, but in hindsight was clearly not. It was my fault and I take full responsibility. She was correct in calling me out.”

He later added: “Again, what I did was wrong. It wasn’t and isn’t acceptable. I’m working on behaving differently in the future.”

He also said management at 500 Startups was unaware of his behavior.

McClure co-founded 500 Startups with Christine Tsai, who has taken on the role of chief executive, which involves directing the management team and day-to-day operations at the firm and accelerator, according to a separate post.

McClure said his role has been limited to focus on fiduciary obligations “to our investors as a general partner of our funds,” although it’s unclear to what extent he will interact with entrepreneurs and staffers. He also said he has begun regular counseling to address his behavior.

The news of McClure stepping down comes as revelations of sexual misconduct swirl through the venture community. In late June, six women spoke to the The Information about stories of sexual harassment involving Justin Caldbeck, co-founder of Binary Capital.

Meanwhile, the Times article that called out McClure also spoke with entrepreneur Susan Wu who said Chris Sacca of Lowercase Capital inappropriately touched her. Prior to the Times article, Sacca, who is retiring from venture capital, issued an apology.