Entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist
Chandler Malone
Early Entrepreneurial Ventures
In 2014, Chandler Malone was a sophomore at Washington University when he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey. Alongside a friend, he started hosting events to make extra money. Little did they know that their venture would grow exponentially, eventually booking top artists like The Chainsmokers. Despite their lack of experience, the business thrived, earning over $250,000 in its first year.
Social-Based Ticketing Platform
Chandler’s next venture was a social-based ticketing platform. At just 21 years old, he built the company to over 80,000 users and hosted over 500 events. However, despite its success, the business faced sustainability challenges, never making more than a few thousand dollars monthly. Chandler eventually sold the company for a quarter of its initial valuation, providing him with the necessary funds and breathing room for his next move.
Transition to Venture Capital
After selling his tech company, Chandler shifted his focus to venture capital (VC). He worked at SixThirty Global FinTech Fund and later joined Atento Capital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His goal was to learn how to become a better entrepreneur by studying successful startups and understanding the factors contributing to their achievements. Chandler’s exposure to thousands of opportunities allowed him to pattern-match and gain valuable insights1.
Founding Bootup
Chandler’s experiences led him to create Bootup, an education company addressing the tech talent shortage. Despite the tech sector's rapid growth, college enrollment has declined for over a decade. Bootup’s mission was to bridge this gap by helping individuals, regardless of their academic or professional background, secure their first jobs in tech. The company has assisted over 1,700 individuals, resulting in more than $120 million in annualized salaries12.
Investor and Advocate
Chandler’s journey from founder to VC to entrepreneur again showcases his resilience and adaptability. He raised $500,000 for Bootup and left his VC job to work at the company full-time. His fundraising efforts attracted investments from notable firms such as Lightship Capital, Kapor Capital, Base Ventures, and Concrete Rose Capital1.
Recently…
Chandler is no longer spearheading Bootup, and is now leading Path, an “AI-powered skills trainer and mentor”.