Jon Callaghan
InvestorFounderInvestment Team at True Ventures · Board director at Ernesta · Board director at Peloton Interactive · Board director at Neosensory
Palo Alto, CA
Writes $500K – $3M checks · typically $20M
About
Jon Callaghan is a co-founder of True Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. He has worked in venture capital since 1991 and has founded three companies over his career. His investment focus centers on early-stage companies in the internet, device, and mobile markets. He serves as Chairman of the NVCA, reflecting his interest in advocating for the entrepreneurial economy in Washington.
Likely email· guessed from name + firm domain, not firm-published
- j•••@trueventures.comreveal80% confident
Invests in
AI & Machine LearningBiotechClimate TechConsumerDeep TechHardwareSector Agnostic
Beyond investing
- Founded
- Co-founded the early-stage venture capital firm True Ventures. Founded three companies over his career. Callaghan co-founded True Ventures in 2005.
- Education
- Studied at Dartmouth College (bachelor's degree, government) Studied at Harvard Business School (MBA)
- Boards
- Serves as Chairman of the NVCA (National Venture Capital Association).
- Communities
- Callaghan served as Chair of the National Venture Capital Association from 2015 to 2016.
- Hobbies
- Is an avid pilot. Enjoys running. Callaghan is a pilot, music lover, and outdoorsman.
- Family
- Describes himself as a dad. Callaghan enjoys adventures with his wife and four sons.
From Jon's own website — common ground for a warm intro.
Board director at Ernesta
Intro paths
In turn, Jon can intro founders to Ernesta's investors below.
Ernesta's investors · 3
Co-founders at Ernesta
Board director at Peloton Interactive
Intro paths
In turn, Jon can intro founders to Peloton Interactive's investors below.
Peloton Interactive's investors · 2
Co-founders at Peloton Interactive
Board director at Neosensory
Intro paths
In turn, Jon can intro founders to Neosensory's investors below.
Neosensory's investors · 5
Co-founders at Neosensory
Experience
- DaydreamInvestor, Board Membercurrent2023 — present
- Ernesta Inc.Investor, Board Membercurrent2022 — presentNew York, United States
- PipedreamInvestor, Board Membercurrent2019 — presentSan Francisco, California, United States
- AiseraInvestor, Board Membercurrent2017 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- Madison ReedInvestor, Board Membercurrent2013 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- Stio®Angel Investorcurrent2011 — presentJackson, Wyoming, United States
- PayNearMeInvestor, Board Membercurrent2009 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- True VenturesFounder, Managing Partnercurrent2006 — present
- Peloton InteractiveBoard Member2015 — 2024
- sweetgreenVenture Capital Investor2018 — 2024
- Fitbit (now part of Google)Investor, Board Member2008 — 2017San Francisco, California, United States
- CloverpopBoard Member, Investor2016
- Screenhero, Inc.Venture Capital Investor2013 — 2014San Francisco, California, United States
- BrightRollInvestor, Board Member2006 — 2014San Francisco, California, United States
- BrightRollInvestor, Board Member2006 — 2007
- GoodreadsInvestor, Board Member2007 — 2013San Francisco, California, United States
- ToyTalk, Inc.Investor2011 — 2013
- Milo.comBoard Member, Investor2009 — 2010
- CollectaInvestor2008 — 2009
- GigaOMBoard Member, Investor2006 — 2009
- ScanRInvestor, Board Member2006 — 2007
- SendMe MobileInvestor, Board Member2006 — 2007
- Globespan CapitalManaging Director2001 — 2005
- Applied IdentityInvestor, Board Member2004 — 2005
- Next MediumInvestor2004 — 2005
- PlaxoBoard Member2003 — 2005
- CMGI@VenturesPartner, Managing Partner1997 — 2001
- Chemdex CorporationFounder and Investor1996 — 2001
- AsimbaInvestor1998 — 2000
- Summit PartnersAssociate1991 — 1995
Education
- Harvard UniversityMBA, General Management1995 — 1997
- Harvard Business SchoolMBA, General Management1995 — 1997
- Dartmouth CollegeAB, Government1987 — 1991
- Tabor Academy
Skills & more
From Jon's professional profile.
Deals · 13
Madison ReedBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Mar 2026 · $5M raise
ErnestaBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Mar 2026 · $20M raise
Sofar OceanBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Feb 2025 · $22.3M raise
Dahlia Labs, Inc.Board seat
via True Ventures · filed Jun 2024 · $18M raise
Mystery Tackle BOXBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Mar 2022 · $44M raise
Better Place InternationalBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Nov 2021 · $20M raise
PayNearMeBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Oct 2019 · $11M raise
MurjBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Jun 2018 · $8.5M raise
CloverpopBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Oct 2016 · $6.2M raise
3D RoboticsBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Jun 2016 · $45M raise
NeosensoryBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Dec 2015 · $4.2M raise
Peloton InteractiveBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Dec 2015 · $75M raise
Keep Holdings IncBoard seat
via True Ventures · filed Mar 2015 · $4.5M raise
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.
Other disclosed investments
Board seats
DaydreamPipedream
Sources: SEC Form D filings · the firm's website.
Colleagues at True Ventures
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Jon Callaghan?
- Jon Callaghan is a co-founder of True Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. He has worked in venture capital since 1991 and has founded three companies over his career. His investment focus centers on early-stage companies in the internet, device, and mobile markets. He serves as Chairman of the NVCA, reflecting his interest in advocating for the entrepreneurial economy in Washington.
- Where does Jon Callaghan work?
- Jon Callaghan is Investment Team at True Ventures and Board director at Ernesta and Board director at Peloton Interactive and Board director at Neosensory.
- What does Jon Callaghan invest in?
- Jon Callaghan invests in AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Climate Tech, Consumer, Deep Tech, Hardware, Sector Agnostic.
- What check size does Jon Callaghan write?
- Jon Callaghan typically writes checks of $500K – $3M.
- What boards does Jon Callaghan sit on?
- Jon Callaghan holds tracked board seats at 3D Robotics, Better Place International, Cloverpop, Dahlia Labs, Inc., Daydream, Ernesta, Ernesta, Keep Holdings Inc, Madison Reed, Murj.
- What companies has Jon Callaghan invested in?
- Investments tracked here include Automattic, Duo Security, Fitbit, HashiCorp, Peloton, Ring exited.
- Where did Jon Callaghan go to school?
- Jon Callaghan studied at Harvard University (MBA, General Management); Harvard Business School (MBA, General Management); Dartmouth College (AB, Government).
Same school
Also attended Harvard University1,483
+ 1,477 more
Also attended Harvard Business School1,977
+ 1,971 more
Also attended Dartmouth College400
+ 394 more
Also attended Tabor Academy5
Shared employers
Also worked at Daydream2
Also worked at PayNearMe6
Also worked at Fitbit (now part of Google)18
+ 12 more






























































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