Eric Koester

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