A Johns Hopkins University graduate with an engineering degree majoring in mathematical sciences, Dave McClure has worked with companies such as Founder’s Fund where he was tasked to manage its seed investment fund, and Facebook where he ran the fbFund REV incubator program in 2009 on Facebook, Accel Partners, and Founder’s Fund’s behalf. Aside from his work with seed investment companies, he also co-founded Startup2Startup, a regular gathering of Silicon Valley investors and startup founders and entrepreneurs.
Before McClure got into the seed investment side of business, he worked as a software developer and was able to get some valuable experience running the marketing department for companies such as search engine SimplyHired and online payment company PayPal. As an entrepreneur, he helped co-found a number of businesses and organizations which gave him the much needed knowledge and experience he needs to mentor new entrepreneurs on their business journey. Today, he is the founding partner of 500 Startups; a seed investment and startup incubator company that has helped launch some of today’s most brilliant startups including TaskRabbit, SlideShare, and Wildfire Interactive. McClure’s passion is teaching startup companies his strategies for product and marketing and speaks to startup entrepreneurs regularly about various technology and entrepreneurship topics that prove valuable in the early stages of company development and growth.
While his company means serious business, McClure still finds time for his hobbies. He plays Ultimate Frisbee during his spare time and he loves to watch a lot of cartoons and animation. He is also an avid hat collector and his collection of funny looking hats continues to grow.