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David Barnett

Founder & CEO at PopSockets

David Barnett is the founder and CEO of PopSockets LLC, a company that produces innovative smartphone accessories. He transitioned from being a philosophy professor to a successful entrepreneur.1

Professional Background:

  • Education:
    • Philosophy major at Emory University
    • Physics major at University of Colorado Boulder
    • PhD in philosophy from New York University2
  • Academic Career: Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Colorado Boulder from 2005 to 20153
  • Research Specialization: Philosophy of language and philosophy of mind

PopSockets Origin: In 2010, Barnett invented PopSockets when he was looking for a way to prevent his earbud cords from tangling. He initially glued buttons to the back of his phone and developed around 60 different prototypes before creating the final product.2 He launched the business in 2014 out of his garage in Boulder, Colorado.2

Business Success:

  • Founded PopSockets LLC in 2012
  • Launched first sales in January 2014
  • Achieved remarkable growth: 71,424 percent revenue increase from mid-2015 to mid-20181
  • Sold over 100 million PopSockets grips
  • 2018 Revenue: Over US$200 million with a profit of over US$90 million1

Current Status:

  • CEO & Founder of PopSockets LLC
  • Located in Boulder, Colorado
  • LinkedIn profile: davidbarnettpopsockets3

Related Questions

What inspired David Barnett to transition from academia to entrepreneurship?
How did David Barnett's background in philosophy influence his approach to business?
What were the initial challenges David Barnett faced when starting PopSockets LLC?
How did PopSockets LLC achieve such rapid growth without venture capital?
What role did customer feedback play in the development of PopSockets products?
David Barnett
David Barnett, photo 1
David Barnett, photo 2
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Location

Boulder, Colorado, United States