VC vet and “Shark Tank” advisor Freschman passes away at 52

ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit show “Shark Tank” has suffered a major blow behind the scenes.

David J. Freschman, a venture capitalist who was a consultant for the TV show “Shark Tank,” passed away on March 17, an Innovation Capital Advisors spokeswoman confirmed. Freschman was 52.

The cause of Freschman’s death was pancreatic cancer, an online obituary said. Bloomberg News reported Freschman’s passing on Thursday.

“Shark Tank,” a reality TV show, features aspiring entrepreneurs who pitch their often peculiar products or wares to a panel of potential investors that include outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran and FUBU clothing line co-founder Daymond John. In his role as advisor, Freschman often assisted Corcoran and John in reviewing business plans presented by contestants, Bloomberg said.

At Innovation Capital Advisors, Freschman was a managing principal and oversaw two of the firm’s most notable units, Innovation Ventures and Delaware Innovation Fund, the Bloomberg story said.

He was also the founder and chair of Early Stage East, a venture conference that targets East Coast startups, the New York City-based ARC Angel Fund and FashInvest. The latter company composed an online memorial tribute in honor of Freschman.

In addition to his wife, Freschman is survived by his parents and two children.

Photo courtesy of Reuters.