Brad Feld author photo
Image via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Brad Feld

Born: December 01, 1965 – Blytheville, Arkansas, United States

Brad Feld is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author focused on startups, venture capital, and entrepreneurial communities. He co-founded Foundry Group and Techstars and wrote or co-wrote influential books including Venture Deals, Startup Communities, and Do More Faster, helping shape how founders, investors, and startup ecosystems operate.

Biography & Author's Journey

Brad Feld built his career at the intersection of founding, investing, and writing. Born in Arkansas and raised in Dallas, he studied management science at MIT, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. While still in college in 1987, he co-founded Feld Technologies with Dave Jilk, launching the business with almost no capital and learning entrepreneurship in real time. Its 1993 sale to AmeriData gave him operating experience, liquidity, and a path into angel investing. After moving to Boulder in 1995, he settled into the role that would define much of his public life: a long-horizon early-stage investor who would go on to co-found Mobius Venture Capital and later Foundry. ((https://feld.com/archives/tag/dallas/?utm_source=openai))

Show More

Quotes

quote
As 2013 begins, I encourage you to adopt one of my deeply held beliefs, that of “give before you get.”
-Give Before You Get
quote
A mentor says simply, “How can I help?”
-Mentors 2/18: Expect Nothing In Return
quote
Powerful startup communities start at the neighborhood level
-Built In Colorado
quote
I’ve always been obsessed with virtual communities, distributed work, and remote life
-The Startup Community community
quote
The startup community must be inclusive of anyone who wants to participate in it
-Empirical Support for the Boulder Thesis
quote
The way most board meetings are currently conducted is a waste of time for management, significantly inefficient, and generally ineffective
-Monthly Financials, Quarterly Board Meetings, Continuous Communications
quote
Startups have an important advantage over larger companies when they use the philosophy of doing more faster
-Do More Faster in PE Hub
quote
CEO’s – don’t be the guy who says “the board made me do it.”
-Note To CEO's: Decisions Come From You, Not The Board
quote
The natural reaction in many of these cases is to immediately jump in and solve the problem
-Problem Solving Versus Empathy
quote
The solution between me, Seth, Jason, and Ryan is to be brutally honest at all times but deliver feedback kindly
-Brutal Honesty Delivered Kindly

Discover more

Tech, Finance, Investing & Innovation

Tech, Finance, Investing & Innovation

LEARNING PLAN

Tech, Finance, Investing & Innovation

This plan bridges the gap between technical literacy and financial expertise for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors. It is designed for individuals looking to master the mechanics of venture capital while building the innovation skills necessary to lead in the digital age.

2 h 47 m4 Sections
Garry Tan's Books for Visionary Builders
BOOKS

Garry Tan's Books for Visionary Builders

Discover Y Combinator CEO's picks for mastering startups, strategy, and meaningful living.

BeFreed team

Naval Ravikant’s Top Take on Early-Stage Startups and Investments
BOOKS

Naval Ravikant’s Top Take on Early-Stage Startups and Investments

Books recommended by Naval Ravikant to achieve financial freedom through VC-backed startups.

BeFreed team

Tech, Innovation & Investing Insights

Tech, Innovation & Investing Insights

LEARNING PLAN

Tech, Innovation & Investing Insights

This plan bridges the gap between creative innovation and financial execution in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. It is designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders who want to master the mechanics of venture capital and the strategic shifts caused by artificial intelligence.

3 h 2 m4 Sections
Learn entrepreneurship and finance

Learn entrepreneurship and finance

LEARNING PLAN

Learn entrepreneurship and finance

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between creative startup ideation and rigorous financial management. It is designed for aspiring founders and professionals who want to master both the operational art of scaling a business and the technical science of investment and funding.

2 h 15 m4 Sections
Success Blueprint for Entrepreneurs Inspired by Elon Musk
BOOKS

Success Blueprint for Entrepreneurs Inspired by Elon Musk

Explore the books that every ambitious entrepreneur needs on their shelf. Learn to think big, decide smart, and build greatness.

BeFreed team

Entrepreneurship, theory, leadership

Entrepreneurship, theory, leadership

LEARNING PLAN

Entrepreneurship, theory, leadership

This learning path is designed for aspiring founders and emerging leaders who want to bridge the gap between a raw idea and a scalable enterprise. It provides a comprehensive roadmap covering everything from customer validation to advanced venture capital strategies, making it essential for anyone serious about building a high-growth business.

3 h 24 m4 Sections
Growth, Business, Tech & Personal Mastery

Growth, Business, Tech & Personal Mastery

LEARNING PLAN

Growth, Business, Tech & Personal Mastery

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between entrepreneurial execution, technological fluency, and psychological excellence. It is designed for aspiring founders and leaders who want to scale both their ventures and their personal capabilities in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

3 h 30 m4 Sections

Community Voices

"Guy Kawasaki called Brad Feld "no ordinary venture capitalist" and "a builder of communities and a champion of long-term trust."

Guy Kawasaki

"Jeff Clavier said Brad Feld is "one of the most thoughtful and smart investors" he has worked with"

Jeff Clavier

"David Cohen said Brad Feld could attract people to Boulder because "people would come just because Brad asked."

David Cohen

"Steve Blank called Brad Feld's feed "great VC advice from outside the valley."

Steve Blank

"Tom Higley said Brad Feld became a "lightning rod for conversations about startups" with a national reach"

Tom Higley

"TechCrunch said few can hold a candle to Brad Feld's list of accolades in startup, tech, and venture"

TechCrunch

"Mark Suster wrote that Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson started "giving away the game" by publishing how things worked on their blog"

Mark Suster

"Jud Valeski wrote that Brad Feld "put to words" what he'd been trying to codify for a decade"

Jud Valeski

"CNBC wrote that few people know more about pitching a venture capitalist than Brad Feld"

CNBC

FAQs about this page

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Start your learning journey, now