Mario Ruiz

Mario Ruiz is a prominent venture capitalist and entrepreneur, currently serving as the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Infinity Ventures, an early-stage venture fund focused on fintech and commerce enablement. He co-founded Infinity Ventures in May 2021, aiming to invest in innovative companies that enhance financial technology infrastructure and commerce capabilities.123

Background and Education

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Mario has a strong educational background. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Baruch College and later obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Yale School of Management.24 His early entrepreneurial spirit was evident when he started a sneaker reselling business in middle school, which helped fund his college education.46

Professional Experience

Before founding Infinity Ventures, Mario held several significant positions:

• Principal at PayPal Ventures (2019-2021): Here, he led investments in fintech innovations and was instrumental in establishing PayPal's Economic Opportunity Fund, which focused on investing in underrepresented venture capital fund managers.14
• Managing Partner at Dorm Room Fund (2017-2019): A student-run venture capital firm where he co-founded a mentorship program for aspiring underrepresented founders.14
• Growth Equity Investor at Napier Park Global Capital (2013-2017): Focused on growth investments in financial technology.13
• Investment Banking Analyst & Associate at Barclays (2010-2013): He began his career in investment banking, specializing in mergers and acquisitions within the financial institutions group.13

Advocacy and Impact

Mario is also a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the venture capital landscape. He has actively worked to support underrepresented communities through various initiatives, including conceptualizing PayPal's investments into diverse fund managers and co-founding programs aimed at mentoring BIPOC founders.45 He is currently a member of the Kauffman Fellows Program, which focuses on leadership development for venture capitalists.24

In summary, Mario Ruiz combines his extensive experience in finance with a commitment to fostering diversity in entrepreneurship, making him a significant figure in the venture capital industry today.