John Danner

John Danner is an accomplished entrepreneur and investor, currently serving as the Managing Partner at Dunce Capital, a venture capital fund focused on early-stage investments in the education technology sector and the future of work. He co-founded Dunce Capital to support innovative startups in these fields, drawing on his extensive experience in education and technology.

Career Background

Danner's career began in the tech industry, where he co-founded NetGravity in 1995, the first Internet advertising server company, which was later sold to DoubleClick for $750 million. He then transitioned into education, co-founding Rocketship Education in 2006, where he served as CEO until 2013. Rocketship is known for its blended learning model and has been recognized for its success in serving low-income students.

In addition to his work with Rocketship, Danner founded Zeal Learning, an online math tutoring service, which he sold in 2018. His educational background includes a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a Master's in Education Policy from Vanderbilt University. He has also taught in public schools, further deepening his commitment to educational reform.

Achievements and Recognition

Danner is recognized for his contributions to education and social entrepreneurship, having received several honors, including being named a Crown Fellow by the Aspen Institute and an Ashoka Fellow. His work has been acknowledged by various organizations, including Time magazine, which listed him among the "12 Education Activists for 2012" .123