Nick Hanauer

Nick Hanauer is the Managing Partner at Second Avenue Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Seattle, Washington. He previously co-founded the digital marketing agency aQuantive, serving in executive roles before Microsoft acquired the business for $6.4 billion in 2007. Hanauer also operated as an early investor and board member at Amazon from 1996 to 2000, and his subsequent venture portfolio features investments in prominent consumer technology companies such as Valve Corporation and Smule. Beyond his corporate ventures, the University of Washington alumnus hosts the Pitchfork Economics podcast, authors books on democratic capitalism, and has delivered economic policy TED talks accumulating over five million views. He actively funds political initiatives, recently contributing over $100,000 to Washington state ballot measures. His current focus combines early-stage software investing with public advocacy for progressive economic policies and inclusive capitalism.