Fundraising Fox

Jon Callaghan

InvestorFounder

Investment 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

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.

Co-founders at Ernesta

HK
Hisao KushiExecutive Officer
JF
John FoleyExecutive Officer, Director
YF
Yony F.Founder

Board director at Peloton Interactive

Intro paths

In turn, Jon can intro founders to Peloton Interactive's investors below.

Co-founders at Peloton Interactive

GS
Graham StantonExecutive Officer
JF
John FoleyDirector
HK
Hisao KushiExecutive Officer

Board director at Neosensory

Intro paths

In turn, Jon can intro founders to Neosensory's investors below.

Co-founders at Neosensory

DE
David EaglemanExecutive Officer, Director
SN
Scott NovichExecutive Officer, Director

Experience

  1. DaydreamInvestor, Board Membercurrent2023 — present
  2. Ernesta Inc.Investor, Board Membercurrent2022 — presentNew York, United States
  3. PipedreamInvestor, Board Membercurrent2019 — presentSan Francisco, California, United States
  4. AiseraInvestor, Board Membercurrent2017 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  5. Madison ReedInvestor, Board Membercurrent2013 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  6. Stio®Angel Investorcurrent2011 — presentJackson, Wyoming, United States
  7. PayNearMeInvestor, Board Membercurrent2009 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  8. True VenturesFounder, Managing Partnercurrent2006 — present
  9. Peloton InteractiveBoard Member2015 — 2024
  10. sweetgreenVenture Capital Investor2018 — 2024
  11. Fitbit (now part of Google)Investor, Board Member2008 — 2017San Francisco, California, United States
  12. CloverpopBoard Member, Investor2016
  13. Screenhero, Inc.Venture Capital Investor2013 — 2014San Francisco, California, United States
  14. BrightRollInvestor, Board Member2006 — 2014San Francisco, California, United States
  15. BrightRollInvestor, Board Member2006 — 2007
  16. GoodreadsInvestor, Board Member2007 — 2013San Francisco, California, United States
  17. ToyTalk, Inc.Investor2011 — 2013
  18. Milo.comBoard Member, Investor2009 — 2010
  19. CollectaInvestor2008 — 2009
  20. GigaOMBoard Member, Investor2006 — 2009
  21. ScanRInvestor, Board Member2006 — 2007
  22. SendMe MobileInvestor, Board Member2006 — 2007
  23. Globespan CapitalManaging Director2001 — 2005
  24. Applied IdentityInvestor, Board Member2004 — 2005
  25. Next MediumInvestor2004 — 2005
  26. PlaxoBoard Member2003 — 2005
  27. CMGI@VenturesPartner, Managing Partner1997 — 2001
  28. Chemdex CorporationFounder and Investor1996 — 2001
  29. AsimbaInvestor1998 — 2000
  30. Summit PartnersAssociate1991 — 1995

Education

  1. Harvard UniversityMBA, General Management1995 — 1997
  2. Harvard Business SchoolMBA, General Management1995 — 1997
  3. Dartmouth CollegeAB, Government1987 — 1991
  4. Tabor Academy

Skills & more

Venture Capital49Start-ups66

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

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

Shared employers