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Tim Brown

Co-Founder at Allbirds

Tim Brown is a prominent figure in the business and sports sectors, known for his role as co-founder of Allbirds and his recent appointment as a Venture Partner at Icehouse Ventures.

Background and Career

Allbirds Co-Founder:
Tim Brown co-founded Allbirds in 2015, a company dedicated to creating sustainable footwear using natural materials. The brand emphasizes comfort, good design, and environmental responsibility, aiming to transform the shoe industry by focusing on thoughtful production rather than flashy marketing.14

Venture Partner at Icehouse Ventures:
In October 2024, Tim joined Icehouse Ventures, a New Zealand-based venture capital firm. His role is to enhance the firm's ability to attract and invest in promising startups, particularly those from New Zealand looking to expand into international markets. He is based in San Francisco and actively engages with portfolio companies, contributing to investment decisions and due diligence processes.123

Athletic Background:
Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Tim was a professional football player. He represented New Zealand's national team, the All Whites, including participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He also played for clubs such as Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets.43

Education

Tim holds a Bachelor's degree in Design from the University of Cincinnati, where he graduated cum laude. He has also pursued advanced studies at prestigious institutions like Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and the London School of Economics.4

Personal Impact

Tim Brown's dual background in sports and sustainable business uniquely positions him to influence both the entrepreneurial landscape and environmental practices within the footwear industry. His commitment to helping Kiwi founders succeed globally reflects his dedication to fostering innovation and sustainability.23

Highlights

Nov 3 · linkedin

They told us you couldn't make a shoe from wool. They told us no real business launches on Kickstarter. They told us this idea from New Zealand couldn't make it to the world stage. They told us not to use (my) mum in brand videos. They told us our approach to design wasn't "trendy". They told us not to open-source our secrets. They told us not to make the planet a priority in our business. You told us to keep going, that our products matter. Thank you. We are. And they do...

Introducing: the Wool Runner 2 – going back to where it all began, and bringing our original icon into the future with 15 major upgrades and innovations alongside a 14% reduction in the carbon footprint to make these even more comfortablier :) than the originals....

Jun 28 · linkedin

I'm so proud of this shoe...but it is not enough.

We just stepped off stage after revealing the Allbirds M0.0NSHOT, our landmark net zero shoe with a 0.0 kg CO2e carbon footprint, for the very first time at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen. In between my feelings of pride, excitement, and optimism, the simple fact remains that one company is not enough. One shoe is not enough. We need others to join us.

That’s exactly why we have released our entire Allbirds M0.0NSHOT toolkit. The materials, manufacturing, packaging, transportation, calculations, partners – it’s all there on our website, free of cost, ready to be used.

Please take this toolkit. Use it. Share it. Reinterpret it. Or reach out to partner with us on another M0.0NSHOT – I would love to hear from you. Because while we’re proud of what the shoe represents, the real marker of success will be the progress we make together.

allbirds.com/moonshot

Related Questions

What are Tim Brown's main responsibilities at Icehouse Ventures?
How did Tim Brown's experience at Allbirds prepare him for his role at Icehouse Ventures?
What are some of the startups that Icehouse Ventures has invested in recently?
How does Tim Brown's background in sports influence his approach to venture capital?
What are Tim Brown's future plans for Icehouse Ventures?
Tim Brown
Tim Brown, photo 1
Tim Brown, photo 2
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Location

San Francisco Bay Area