Dave McClure — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Founder of Practical Venture Capital, a VC secondary firm specializing in LP/GP fund interests and direct secondary in later-stage companies.
Founded 500 Startups (now 500 Global) in 2010, a seed accelerator and investment fund with over $2B AUM, investing in 3,500 companies and 5,000 founders across 80 countries.
Invested in hundreds of startups globally, including 40+ unicorns and 10+ IPOs, and over 50 VC funds.
Recognized on the Forbes Midas List of top 100 global VCs in 2016 and 2017.
Made seed-stage investments in 42 companies at Founders Fund (2008-2010), yielding 5 unicorns and 4 IPOs, with a portfolio returning over $180M.
Graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1988 with a BS in Engineering and Applied Mathematics.

Biography

Dave McClure is an entrepreneur and angel investor based in the San Francisco Bay Area, known for founding the venture capital firms 500 Startups (now 500 Global) and Practical Venture Capital. An engineer by background, he has been active in Silicon Valley for 30 years as an entrepreneur and investor. He was recognized on the Forbes Midas List of top 100 global VCs in 2016 and 2017.

In 2010, McClure founded 500 Startups, a seed accelerator and investment fund that grew to over $2B AUM.