DAVID A. CICCARELLI
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Lake.com
david@lake.com | 🔗 LinkedIn: /davidciccarelli
🌐 www.lake.com
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
David Ciccarelli is a serial entrepreneur, product innovator, and thought leader who has founded and scaled multiple technology ventures across digital marketplaces and travel tech. As the CEO of Lake.com, he is building the premier global platform for lakeside travel, driven by a vision to connect nature-loving travelers with unforgettable waterfront destinations. With a proven record of market disruption, product-led growth, and capital efficiency, David blends creative insight with operational execution to build category-defining companies.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Entrepreneurship & Venture Building | Digital Platforms & Marketplaces
Product Strategy | Brand & Growth Marketing | Investor Relations
Team Leadership | Innovation & IP Development | Travel & Hospitality Tech
CAREER EXPERIENCE
Lake.com – Global Vacation Rental Platform
Founder & Chief Executive Officer | 2023–Present
Leading the development of a high-impact digital platform for lakeside vacation rentals across 1,000+ global destinations. Built a pre-launch waitlist of over 10,000 property listings. Owns the product vision, manages daily operations, and drives growth strategy across product, technology, and partnerships.
Highlights:
- Conceived and launched Lake.com with proprietary content on global lake travel
- Designed and executed GTM strategy targeting eco-tourism and niche travel verticals
- Built early product and engineering team; implemented scalable tech stack
- Actively managing investor outreach, brand partnerships, and public storytelling
TravelMint – Airport Lounge Discovery Platform
Founder & Editor in Chief | 2025–Present
Created TravelMint, a global web platform (mobile app in development) to help travelers discover and access 3,600+ airport lounges in 1,800+ airports. Developed in response to a market gap after the shutdown of a leading lounge app.
Key Contributions:
- Architected platform infrastructure and data automation across global lounge networks
- Designed a Lounge Review System with smart filters for amenities, food, and eligibility
- Led UI/UX design, content development, and go-to-market launch
- Built database of lounges, restaurants, spas, and airport experiences
Differentiators:
- Real-time lounge availability and access intelligence
- Crowdsourced traveler reviews and smart search features
- Planned integrations with airline partners and loyalty programs
Voices.com – Online Talent Marketplace
Founder & Chief Executive Officer | 2005–2023
Founded and scaled the world’s leading voice-over marketplace, connecting global brands with creative talent. Built a thriving online platform that served Fortune 500 clients including Microsoft, ESPN, Cisco, and Ford.
Key Milestones:
- Secured patents for online transaction management systems (US & CA)
- Grew business to a PROFIT 500 company with 798% 5-year growth
- Certified as a Great Place to Work®; recognized among Canada’s Top 100 SMEs
- Raised more than USD$27million in capital from Morgan Stanley and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
- Managed end-to-end business operations including product, sales, finance, and talent
Thought Leadership:
- Contributor to Forbes, The Globe & Mail, MIT Sloan, Entrepreneur
- Frequent guest on industry podcasts; speaker at conferences including Salesforce, Ivey, and Propel
AWARDS & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
- US Patent: Online Transaction Platform for Voice Talent – US 20110125653 A1
- CA Patent: Voice Marketplace System – CA 2689008
- PROFIT 500 | Fastest-Growing Companies (Top 100, 2015–2018)
- Canada’s Top 100 SMEs | 2017–2018
- Great Place to Work® Canada | 2016–2018
BOARD & ADVISORY ROLES
- Board Member, Lake.com | 2023–Present
- Board Member, Voices.com | 2017–2023
- Director, TechAlliance | 2013–Present
- Executive Committee, Institute of Corporate Directors | 2017
- Board Member, IMMPLOY | 2016
- Board Member, UnLondon | 2014–2015
EDUCATION
Harvard Business School
Owner/President Management Program (OPM) | 2019–2021
Ivey Business School, Western University
QuantumShift™ Executive Leadership Program | 2017
Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology
Honours Diploma, Audio Engineering | 1999–2000
SELECT PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA
- Going Global: How to Prepare to Take Over the World, Entrepreneur
- How to Attract an Investment in Your Startup, MIT Sloan
- Preventing Discrimination in Online Business, Globe & Mail
- Featured in The Wall Street Journal, DailyMail, Travel + Leisure, Forbes