Howard Schultz

Co-Founder and Partner

It’s not that we’re into name-dropping, but…Howard Schultz and Starbucks. Those legendary entrepreneurial names are the focus of the most popular case studies used by most of the nation’s major business schools. So, the fact that Howard Schultz co-founded Maveron in 1998 with Dan Levitan is pretty cool. As the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Starbucks Coffee Company, Howard stands out as a business leader who has set the benchmark high for creating a business atmosphere of respect and dignity for all partners. His vast experience in the consumer sector has been a tremendous asset to Maveron’s portfolio companies. In addition to his work at Starbucks, Howard has served on the Maveron board of directors for eBay (NASDQ: EBAY), drugstore.com (NASDQ: DSCM), and Potbelly Sandwich Works, and he currently serves on the board of directors for Pinkberry.

Howard joined Starbucks as director of operations and marketing in 1982, when the company had only four stores. With the help of local investors, he purchased the company in 1987. In 1992, Starbucks became the first specialty coffee company to become publicly traded, and is now the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world, with more than 16,000 stores in 50 countries. Howard has received numerous awards in recognition of his achievements and commitment to community service and to Starbucks partners. In 2007, he received the Horatio Alger Award, given to those who have overcome adversity to achieve success through the American free enterprise system. Time magazine named him one of the world’s most influential people in 2004. In 2002, he achieved the status of one of the top 25 managers of the year as named by Business Week magazine. Howard created The Starbucks Foundation in 1997 to raise awareness for literacy causes and to give grants to organizations that promote literacy. The foundation was initially funded by his profits from his best-selling book, Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time.

Howard earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University.

Works with: Pinkberry, Potbelly Sandwich Works

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