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About
Josh Kopelman (born Joshua Kopelman on January 1, 1972) is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and philanthropist renowned for his contributions to the tech industry. He began his entrepreneurial journey early, founding Infonautics in 1992 while still a student, a company that developed search engine technology. In 1999, Kopelman co-founded Half.com, an innovative online marketplace for buying and selling media such as books, music, and movies, which quickly gained traction and was acquired by eBay in 2000 for $350 million. This success solidified his reputation in the burgeoning e-commerce sector. Following Half.com, he launched TurnTide in 2003, an anti-spam software company aimed at combating email threats. In 2004, Kopelman co-founded First Round Capital, a prominent seed-stage venture capital firm based in Philadelphia (with San Francisco operations), where he serves as Managing Director. The firm has invested early in high-profile startups including Uber, Warby Parker, Square, and CloudLock, contributing to Kopelman's ranking among the world's top 20 venture capitalists according to various rankings. Beyond finance, Kopelman has been actively involved in media and philanthropy. He served as Chairman of the Board of The Philadelphia Inquirer from 2015 to 2024, when he transitioned to Chair Emeritus, influencing local journalism during a period of ownership changes and digital transformation. Kopelman holds a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, earned in 1993. He is married to Claire Kopelman and maintains strong ties to the Philadelphia business community through professional partnerships and investments. His philanthropic efforts include support for education and entrepreneurship initiatives, often tied to his Pennsylvania roots. Kopelman's career reflects a focus on early-stage innovation, with a portfolio that has significantly influenced the tech ecosystem.