 | |
| Name | Hunter Walk |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | – |
| Birth Place | San Francisco |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | American entrepreneur |
Hunter Walk is an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist best known for co-founding Homebrew, an early-stage venture fund, and Screendoor LP, a platform designed to support new venture capital (VC) firms with unique perspectives. He has been involved in the growth of several well-known startups, including Chime, Plaid, and Gusto, and has a background in building tech products that generate billions in revenue.
Early life and education
Hunter Walk grew up on the East Coast of the United States before later moving to the West Coast, where he would become a prominent figure in the tech industry. He attended Vassar College, where he earned a degree in History in 1995. Rather than focusing on traditional history topics like wars and key dates, Walk specialized in “social history,” studying trends and societal changes. His thesis explored the impact of a 19th-century women’s magazine, earning him both general and departmental honors.
After his undergraduate studies, Walk went on to attend the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he earned an MBA in 2000. Initially, he was unsure if the program was the right fit but later described it as a great learning experience that helped shape his career in business and venture capital.
Career
Hunter Walk’s career started with a variety of roles, including a stint in media as part of the team behind Late Night with Conan O’Brien. He later transitioned into the tech world, becoming a founding member of the product and marketing team at Linden Lab, the company responsible for the online virtual world Second Life.
In 2003, Walk joined Google, where he managed product and sales efforts for their advertising business. He later moved on to YouTube, where he led consumer product management. Under his leadership, YouTube scaled its services, reaching billions of users across computers, mobile devices, and TVs, becoming one of the most widely used platforms in the world.
In 2013, Walk co-founded Homebrew, a venture fund that provides seed-stage investment to startups aiming to empower individuals and small businesses. Homebrew has supported several successful companies, including fintech and tech startups like Chime, Plaid, and Cruise, among others.
In 2021, Walk expanded his impact on the VC world by co-founding Screendoor LP, an initiative aimed at funding new venture capital firms that bring fresh perspectives based on their unique identities, networks, and experiences. Screendoor has backed a variety of VC firms, including ex/ante, Sunflower, and Voyager.
Personal life
Hunter Walk lives in San Francisco with his wife, daughter, and their dog. Despite his busy professional life, he maintains a close connection with his family. Walk has often described his journey as a mix of both personal and professional fulfillment, balancing his love for entrepreneurship with his roots in the East Coast and his life in the West Coast tech scene.
Awards and achievements
While Hunter Walk is not widely known for receiving formal awards, his accomplishments speak for themselves. He has been a key player in the success of products that generate over $1 billion in annual revenue, and he was instrumental in YouTube’s growth to billions of daily video views. Through Homebrew and Screendoor, Walk has made a significant impact on the tech and venture capital industries by supporting innovative startups and helping diversify the venture capital landscape.
External links
Hunter Walk on LinkedIn
Hunter Walk on Instagram