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Ben Gilbert is a Venture Partner at Pioneer Square Labs and the Co-host of the Acquired podcast, based in Seattle, Washington. Prior to his current venture capital roles, he served as a Product Manager at Microsoft, where he contributed to the inaugural Office for iPad release and directed The Garage corporate innovation program. Through his startup studio work, Gilbert has helped incubate over 25 companies in five years, contributing to notable technology acquisitions such as MightyAI by Uber and MessageYes by Nordstrom. He also expanded Acquired into a technology and business program with over 500,000 listeners, recently hosting a sold-out live arena event featuring Mark Zuckerberg. Holding a computer science degree from The Ohio State University, his career centers on Pacific Northwest early-stage company building and analyzing the historical playbooks of successful global enterprises.
Ben Gilbert stands as a prominent figure in the technology and venture capital landscape, particularly known for his role as a Managing Director at Pioneer Square Labs (PSL). Based in Seattle, PSL operates with a distinctive model, functioning both as a startup studio that conceives and builds new companies from scratch, and as a venture capital fund that invests in early-stage technology ventures. In this capacity, Ben is instrumental in identifying market opportunities, validating business ideas, recruiting founding teams, and providing the crucial initial capital and operational support needed to transform concepts into thriving businesses.
Gilbert's investment focus at PSL is broad, reflecting the studio's diverse approach to innovation. He is deeply interested in disruptive technologies and business models across various sectors, including enterprise software, consumer applications, artificial intelligence, developer tools, and the future of work. His expertise lies in recognizing nascent trends and backing founders who are poised to create significant impact. Through PSL, he has been involved in the successful launch and growth of numerous companies, contributing to the vibrant Seattle tech ecosystem.
Before co-founding Pioneer Square Labs, Ben Gilbert honed his skills and insights at several key organizations. He served as a Principal at Madrona Venture Group, a leading Pacific Northwest venture capital firm, where he gained extensive experience in venture investing and portfolio management. Prior to his venture capital career, Gilbert was a co-founder of Simple, a pioneering digital banking startup that was later acquired by BBVA. His early career also includes a tenure at Microsoft, providing him with a foundational understanding of large-scale technology development and operations.
Beyond his work at PSL, Ben Gilbert is widely recognized as the co-host of the highly acclaimed 'Acquired' podcast. Alongside David Rosenthal, he delves into the history and business strategies of iconic companies and major acquisitions, offering deep analytical insights that resonate with entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts globally. This platform further showcases his profound understanding of business strategy, market dynamics, and the intricacies of company building and value creation. His multifaceted career, combining operational experience, venture investing, and thought leadership, positions him as a valuable resource and influential voice in the startup and investment community.
Ben Gilbert is a Managing Director at Pioneer Square Labs (PSL), a startup studio and venture capital firm. He is also widely known as the co-host of the popular 'Acquired' podcast, where he discusses the history and business strategies of major companies.
As a Managing Director at Pioneer Square Labs, Ben Gilbert invests in early-stage technology companies across various sectors. His focus includes enterprise software, consumer applications, artificial intelligence, developer tools, and the future of work, often through PSL's unique company-building studio model.
Ben Gilbert works as a Managing Director at Pioneer Square Labs (PSL), a startup studio and venture capital firm based in Seattle, Washington. He is a key leader in their efforts to ideate, validate, and launch new technology companies.
