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Dave Schappell is an executive coach and strategic consultant based in Lexington, Massachusetts, and Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. He previously founded the education marketplace TeachStreet in 2007, serving as Chief Executive Officer until the company was acquired by Amazon in 2012. Following the acquisition, Schappell spent several years at Amazon Web Services as Director of Business Development and General Manager of Startup Marketing, building global partnerships with venture capital firms. His earlier career includes serving as Vice President of Marketing at JibJab Media, and he holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Penn State University alongside an MBA from the Wharton School. In 2021, he launched the Invent Like An Owner podcast to interview early Amazon employees. Currently, his primary focus is providing leadership coaching and strategic advisory services to founder CEOs navigating hypergrowth stages within the technology sector.
Dave Schappell stands out as a highly respected angel investor and a serial entrepreneur with a profound impact on the technology landscape, particularly within the Seattle startup ecosystem. Known for his keen eye for innovation and his hands-on approach, Schappell primarily focuses on early-stage investments, providing crucial capital and strategic guidance to promising new ventures. His investment portfolio spans a diverse range of sectors, including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), e-commerce platforms, online marketplaces, B2B software solutions, and consumer technology.
Schappell's illustrious career began at the very forefront of the internet revolution. He was an integral part of the launch team for Amazon.com, contributing significantly to the foundational success of one of the world's largest online retailers. His entrepreneurial spirit further manifested at Amazon, where he co-founded Amazon Webstore, an early precursor to modern e-commerce solutions for businesses. This foundational experience provided him with invaluable insights into scaling technology companies and understanding consumer behavior online.
Beyond Amazon, Dave Schappell continued to shape the tech industry through his own ventures. He is widely recognized as a co-founder of TechCrunch 50, an influential startup competition that evolved into TechCrunch Disrupt, a premier platform for showcasing emerging technologies and connecting founders with investors. He also founded and served as CEO of TeachStreet, an online marketplace for local classes, which was later acquired by Amazon, marking another successful exit in his entrepreneurial journey.
As an active angel investor, Schappell leverages his extensive operational and entrepreneurial background to identify and nurture high-potential startups. His notable investments reflect his broad interests and successful track record. These include companies like Rover.com, a leading pet care marketplace; Remitly, a rapidly growing digital remittance service; Outreach, a prominent sales engagement platform; Skilljar, an innovative customer education platform; and Zipwhip, a business texting service acquired by Twilio. Other successful ventures in his portfolio include Dolly and TolaData, further solidifying his reputation as a savvy early-stage backer.
Dave Schappell's influence extends beyond capital provision. He is a dedicated mentor and advisor, frequently sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with founders navigating the challenges of building and scaling a business. His commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs makes him a pivotal figure in the startup community, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Through his strategic investments and mentorship, Schappell continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of technology.
Dave Schappell is a renowned angel investor and serial entrepreneur. He is known for co-founding TechCrunch 50 (now TechCrunch Disrupt) and TeachStreet (acquired by Amazon), and for his early contributions to Amazon.com's launch team and co-founding Amazon Webstore.
Dave Schappell primarily invests in early-stage technology startups. His investment focus areas include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), e-commerce platforms, online marketplaces, B2B software solutions, and consumer technology. Notable investments include Rover.com, Remitly, Outreach, and Skilljar.
Dave Schappell operates as an independent angel investor and advisor, leveraging his extensive entrepreneurial and operational background to support early-stage startups. While he doesn't work for a specific firm in a traditional sense, he is an active and influential figure in the startup ecosystem, particularly in Seattle.