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Marco De Leon
Co-Founder of Rip Van
Marco De Leon is a prominent entrepreneur and the Co-Founder of Rip Van Wafels, a snack food brand known for its innovative approach to creating healthier snacks. He co-founded the company in 2012 alongside his college friend Rip Pruisken while they were students at Brown University.
Educational Background
Marco De Leon attended St. Christopher's School and later graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2012. During his time at Brown, he also spent a semester studying abroad in Brazil at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro.12
Career Path
Before establishing Rip Van, Marco gained experience in various roles:
- 2009: National Sales Manager for The Brown Daily Herald, Inc.
- 2009: Finance and Treasury Summer Analyst at NewMarket Corporation.
- 2010: Finance Intern at Conspiração Filmes.
- 2011: Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Morgan Stanley.1
In 2010, he and Rip Pruisken began developing their product, initially called Van Wafels, from their dorm room. They utilized Kickstarter to launch the business and faced numerous challenges, including living out of a car while traveling to promote their snacks.45 Their efforts paid off as Rip Van Wafels gained traction and is now sold in over 12,000 Starbucks locations across the United States.23
Achievements
Marco De Leon was recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2016 for his contributions to the food industry. Under his leadership, Rip Van has focused on creating low-sugar snacks that appeal to health-conscious consumers, transforming traditional treats into better-for-you options.36
Personal Interests
Outside of his professional endeavors, Marco enjoys reading about philosophy and traveling. His entrepreneurial spirit is inspired by his father's legacy and his desire to improve people's lives through innovative food products.46
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