Fireside Chat with Dan Levitan, MBA '83, A Visionary VC Investor
HBS Seattle is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive fireside chat with Dan Levitan, who co-founded Maveron with Howard Schultz in 1998. Maveron is now a $1.3 billion venture capital firm known for backing iconic consumer brands like eBay, Allbirds, Zulily, and Trupanion.
Click here to Register
on eventbrite
Dan is more than an investor - he’s a visionary who helped take Starbucks public and has since built Maveron into one of the most respected consumer-focused VC firms in the country. His investment philosophy is grounded in shared ambition: the belief that the best outcomes are reached when founders and investors climb the mountain together. Having been blessed himself with great mentors - including Mike Krzyzewski, Bill Campbell, Howard Schultz, and Joel Peterson - Dan now relishes his role as a mentor to up-and-coming CEOs and the Maveron team.
Beyond the boardroom, Dan brings a spirit of adventure and mentorship - whether it’s summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro or mentoring the next generation of CEOs. He’s also a committed philanthropist and has served in leadership roles at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Brothers for Life.
Join us as we explore:
• What defines a great consumer brand in 2025 and beyond
• The founder traits Dan looks for before writing a check
• Stories from the early days of Maveron, Starbucks, and eBay
• His advice for entrepreneurs building in today’s market
This event is hosted by the HBS Club of Seattle but is also open to alumni + partners + friends of Harvard University and MBA alumni of Wharton, Columbia, and Stanford
Fireside Chat with Dan Levitan, MBA '83, A Visionary VC Investor
Monday, April 28, 2025
5:45pm - 8:00pm PT
Columbia Center
Downtown Seattle
Cost: $25
Hosted by: HBS Club of Seattle
For questions about the event or the HBS Club of Seattle please contact:
We look forward to seeing you at our event!
Click here to Register
on eventbrite
About Dan Levitan, MBA '83
At Maveron, Dan is co-founder, partner, and tireless leader. Since starting the firm with Howard Schultz in 1998 (after helping the Starbucks team accomplish its blockbuster IPO), Dan has been the person behind many of Maveron’s home runs.
Back in the day, Dan climbed mountains. He scaled both Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Rainier, climbing alongside a group of people who encouraged and supported each other to reach their goal. That’s not too bad of an analogy for Dan’s philosophy of working with our portfolio companies.
Dan found an unlikely mentor in Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. It was Krzyzewski who taught Dan the central lesson of Maveron’s consumer-focused success: always ask “Do you love your team?” Dan does - his colleagues, his investors and most of all, his entrepreneurs.
In addition to his work with Maveron companies, Dan currently serves as a member of the Boards of Trustees of Seattle Children’s Healthcare System and Seattle Children’s Hospital. He also serves on the Investment Advisory Committee for Seattle Children’s which oversees over $2.5B in AUM. Dan also is chair of Brothers for Life, a charity that helps wounded Israeli combat soldiers.
Dan has been recognized by Forbes on its Midas List as one of the industry’s top technology investors. Dan has also been named NASDAQ private company director of the year.
Click here to Register
on eventbrite
Your HCS, Harvard Club of Seattle, membership supports our Mission!
Membership in HCS costs less than 1 latte per month.
Current Full-time Student Annual Membership price $0.00.
Most Recent Graduate Annual Membership price $0.00.
Recent Graduate Annual Membership price $35.00.
Individual Annual Membership price $70.00.
https://hcseattle.clubs.harvard.edu/memsub.html
We look forward to seeing you at future events!