Find your path to Dan
33 people in our graph share verified history with Dan — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Nathan OwenunlockedDan: together at Payload (2022–2025)
Dan: together at Davenport University
×10Dan: together at Grand Valley State University
About
Dan Ribbens founded Payload CMS and serves as its COO. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Grand Valley State University and has worked as a senior developer, team lead, and architect across multiple software teams, with prior experience as a freelance consultant.
Likely email· guessed from name + firm domain, not firm-published
- d•••@payloadcms.comreveal75% confident
Founder at PayloadYC S22
Intro paths
YC
Dan went through Y Combinator (Summer 2022) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
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In turn, Dan can intro founders to Payload's investors below.
Payload's investors · 13
Baillie GiffordEdinburgh · since 2024BlackRockWilmington · since 2024Caruso VenturesBoulder · $500K – $2.5M checks · since 2024Coatue ManagementNew York · $1M – $20M checks · since 2024Gradient VenturesSan Francisco · $100K – $10M checksGrand VenturesGrand Rapids · $250K – $2M checksIn-Q-TelTysons · $100K – $2.5M checks · since 2024Industrious VenturesDenverSV AngelSan FranciscoT. Rowe PriceBaltimore · since 2024Tiger Global ManagementNew York · $1M – $100M checks · since 2024Winklevoss CapitalNew York · $100K – $5M checksY CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2022
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Co-founders at Payload
Experience
- FigmaSoftware Engineercurrent2026 — present
- FigmaSoftware Engineering Managercurrent2025 — present
- Payload CMSCo-Foundercurrent2022 — presentGrand Rapids, Michigan, United States
- American Print and BinderyWeb Developer, Information Architectcurrent2018 — presentGreater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area
- Open Systems Technologies, Inc.Team Lead2016 — 2019
- FreelanceWeb Developer2014 — 2018
- Fairly Painless AdvertisingWeb Developer2013 — 2014Holland, Michigan
- Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc.Information Technology2007 — 2013
- Kent Intermediate School DistrictInformation Technology Intern2007
Skills & more
Engineering ManagementSoftware Development5Web Applications5Web Development4Agile Methodologies1Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)Continuous IntegrationNetwork Administration7Front-end Development1DNS ManagementAutomated Software TestingTypeScript
+12 more
Serverless ComputingBack-End Web DevelopmentDesign ThinkingJavaScriptMySQLPHPAngularGitHTMLCSSLaravelNode.jsFrom Dan's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Dan Ribbens?
- Dan Ribbens founded Payload CMS and serves as its COO. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Grand Valley State University and has worked as a senior developer, team lead, and architect across multiple software teams, with prior experience as a freelance consultant.
- Where does Dan Ribbens work?
- Dan Ribbens is Founder of Payload.
- What companies did Dan Ribbens found?
- Dan Ribbens founded Payload.
- Where did Dan Ribbens go to school?
- Dan Ribbens studied at Grand Valley State University (Master of Science, Computer Information Systems); Davenport University (Bachelor of Applied Science, Computer Information Systems); Kent Career Technical Center (Information Technology - two year program).
Founder mafias
Y Combinator mafia10,230
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Sam AltmanPresidentFounded Tools for Humanity +3Garry TanPresident & CEOFounded Y Combinator +1Jessica LivingstonCo-founderFounded Y CombinatorAlexis OhanianPartnerFounded RedditFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded Nudge +1Matt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded Paradigm +1
+ 10,223 more
Grand Valley State University mafia9
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Elliot DeNolfBachelor of Science - BSFounded PayloadSathya ElumalaiProfessional Science MastersFounded AidarCindy WarnerBachelor of Business Administration - BBAFounded 360ofmeLawrence DuthlerMSTFounded CertifidKathy RowlenB.S.Founded IndevrDaniel EstradaB.S.Founded 86 Repairs
+ 2 more
Davenport University mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended Grand Valley State University30
Sov BallardExecutive Administrator at QED InvestorsMatthew MannGeneral Partner at Fin CapitalKelly WiardaHead of Marketing at Grand VenturesVanessa RasanenExecutive Assistant at SUPPLY CHANGE CAPITALEmily SarataDirector of Engagement at Michigan Capital NetworkGreeshma MuddamAccountant at Michigan Capital Network
+ 24 more
Also attended Davenport University3
Shared employers
Also worked at Figma46
Danny RimerPartner at Index VenturesSarah GuoFounder & General Partner of ConvictionMamoon HamidPartner at Kleiner PerkinsDylan FieldCo-founder, CEO & Chair of FigmaGrey BakerGeneral Partner at Y CombinatorAjay VasheeInvestor at IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)
+ 40 more