David Schonthal

David has spent over 15 years in startup and venture capital and currently serves as Operating Partner at 7Wire Ventures. He is also a Senior Director at IDEO Chicago, where he focuses on corporate entrepreneurship and venture design, including IDEO’s Startup-in-Residence Program, and a Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management where he teaches courses in new venture creation, design thinking and creativity. Prior to 7Wire Ventures, David was an Operating Partner at Pritzker Group Venture Capital (PGVC) where he invested in consumer, enterprise and healthcare technology startups, a Partner at Fusion Ventures and the Director of Strategy and Venture Development for Tavistock Life Sciences, both based in San Diego, California. David earned his MBA from The Kellogg School of Management and his BA in International Relations from Boston University. He is a regular contributor to Forbes, Inc., Fortune and Entrepreneur Magazines, writing articles on corporate entrepreneurship, innovation and business design.