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Eric Koester

American professor and entrepreneur

Eric Koester is an accomplished entrepreneur, educator, and investor with extensive experience in the technology and startup sectors. Here are some key details about his background and career:

Professional Experience

Eric Koester co-founded Zaarly, Inc. in 2011 and served as its Chief Operating Officer from 2011 to 2012.1 Zaarly was an online platform that connected buyers and sellers for local services and goods.1 However, Koester departed from Zaarly in 2013 as the company shifted its business model.5

After leaving Zaarly, Koester co-founded Main Street Genome in 2013, which was later acquired in 2015.2 He also served as a Managing Director at NextGen Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm.12

Current Roles

Currently, Eric Koester is:

  • A professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Georgetown University, where he has been teaching since 201324
  • Founder of Manuscripts, a private education provider that offers author and creator support programs23
  • A partner at NextGen Venture Partners3

Education and Achievements

Koester holds a BS in Finance & Marketing from Marquette University and a Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School.2 Some of his notable achievements include:

  • Named to the Forbes Next Top 1000 entrepreneurs in 20212
  • Recognized as one of the 40 under 40 for Washington DC in 20122
  • Awarded the USASBE 2020 Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year2
  • Honored with Georgetown's entrepreneurship professor of the year award twice2

Author and Educator

As an educator, Koester has developed innovative programs like the Book Creators community, which has helped over 1,500 first-time writers publish their books.2 His entrepreneurship course at Georgetown was named 2018's Most Innovative by USASBE.2

Eric Koester is also an author, having co-written "Super Mentors: The Ordinary Person's Guide to Asking Extraordinary People for Help" with Adam Saven.3

Highlights

Sep 14 · linkedin

What takes a lot of time but is totally worth it?

Aug 21 · linkedin

Today, I want to take a moment to thank my wife, Allison, for giving me the best gift I could ever ask for: time.

For the past year, I’ve been immersed in writing the next chapters of the Pennymores saga—books 2 and 3 are now in the editing phase, and I couldn’t be more excited to share them with you all soon! (If anyone wants to be an early reader, stay tuned for details!)

But this project doesn’t happen unless I have the unwavering support of Allison and our kids. Writing isn’t my full-time job, but it’s a hobby that adds so much joy to my life. It scratches my creative itch and fuels my passion for learning as a lifelong learner. The fact that more than 20,000 copies of the first Pennymores book have been sold still amazes me every day.

Yet, none of this would be possible without the support at home. Allison has given me the space to spend 4-5 hours a week on this project, even when life is busy and full of demands. She understands how much this creative outlet means to me and how it contributes to my growth and happiness.

So today, I want to give a huge shoutout to Allison and to all the partners out there who support our personal projects. You are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, making it possible for us to chase our passions and pursue our dreams.

Thank you, Allison, for believing in me, for giving me the gift of time, and for always being my biggest supporter. This journey is as much yours as it is mine, and I’m endlessly grateful for you.

Let’s give it up for the partners who make our personal projects possible!

PS - For those of you who haven’t read Pennymores, Pip is the nickname for the Pennymores mom (so at home we call Allison Pip?)

Related Questions

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How did Eric Koester transition from Zaarly to NextGen Venture Partners?
What are some notable achievements of Eric Koester in his career?
How did Eric Koester's time at Georgetown University influence his entrepreneurial ventures?
What is the Main Street Genome project about?
Eric Koester
Eric Koester, photo 1
Eric Koester, photo 2
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Location

Washington, District of Columbia, United States