Acclaimed entrepreneur, innovator to speak at Penn State Smeal

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Slava Rubin, a renowned entrepreneur, innovator and investor, will share his viewpoints on entrepreneurship and innovation as part of "Executive Insights," the Penn State Smeal College of Business signature speaker series.

Rubin will take part in a moderated discussion titled “Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset” with Corey Phelps, John and Karen Arnold Dean of Smeal, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 25 in the Struthers Auditorium, Room 110 in the Business Building at University Park.

Executive Insights will be streamed live for those who can’t attend in person. The event is free and open to the public, but online registration is required.

“We’re excited to welcome Slava to Smeal for Executive Insights," Phelps said. "His expertise and experiences represent topics that our students and alumni are keenly interested in. I know our conversation will be both informational and inspirational.” 

Rubin earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and entrepreneurial management from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

In the past 20 years, he has built three companies, a venture fund and a diverse angel investment portfolio.

Rubin is perhaps best known as the founder and 10-year chief executive officer (CEO) from inception of Indiegogo in 2006, one of the world’s leading crowdfunding platforms, empowering people from all over the world to make their ideas a reality. As CEO, he grew Indiegogo from an idea to distribution of billions of dollars around the world.

While at Indiegogo, Rubin launched one of the nation’s first equity crowdfunding businesses. His angel portfolio includes multiple unicorns — private startups valued at $1 billion or more — including Carta, Hedera, GOAT and Turo.

Rubin is the founder of three additional companies. He is founder and managing partner at humbition, an early-stage operators venture fund built by founders for founders. He also is the founder of Nillion, which is building humanity’s first blind computer. And he is the founder of Vincent, which aims to change how people access alternative investments, such as pre-IPO venture to digital assets, collectibles to art, or real estate to private credit.

He created and hosts the “Smart Humans” podcast, which explores the world of alternative investments with industry luminaries like Max Levchin, Raj Gokul, Gary Vanyerchuck, Joe Lonsdale, Stewart Kohl, Jason Calacanis and Mary Catherine Lader as guests.

He also is the founder of “Music Against Myeloma,” a charity that raises funds and awareness for cancer research in partnership with the International Myeloma Foundation.

Prior to Indiegogo, Rubin was a strategy consultant, working with clients such as MasterCard, Goldman Sachs and FedEx.

Rubin’s insights and innovations have been recognized on many fronts. He represented the crowdfunding industry at the White House during the signing of the JOBS Act under the Obama Administration. He also was invited by the White House to advise on bringing equity crowdfunding to the American public.

He has received numerous awards, including the Fortune 40 Under 40 list, Observer 20 Heroes Under 40, and the Wharton Young Leadership Award.

He has been sought out by major media outlets, including CNBC, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Rubin will join a distinguished list of previous Executive Insights guests, among them: Oracle President and CEO Ray Lane, Amazon Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Brian Olsavsky, DuPont CFO Lori Koch, Archer Daniels Midland CEO Patricia Woertz, and MedExpress co-founder and CEO Frank Alderman, among many others.