Josh Kopelman

Founder and Partner

2004 - Current

First Round Capital is an early stage venture capital firm. We are seed-stage investors, often providing a company’s first outside capital, and aren’t afraid of investing in pre-revenue companies. We understand the challenges of launching a new enterprise, having founded/funded over 300 companies in the last few years.

Chairman Emeritus

2024

Chairman of the Board

2016 - 2024

The Philadelphia Inquirer is the largest newspaper in America operated as a public-benefit corporation. Given the importance of local news organizations to our democracy, the Inquirer is working to develop viable, replicable models for sustainable local news enterprises across the country.

Director

2015 - 2016

Founding Partner

2020

First Close Partners backs venture funds owned by underrepresented managers (“URMs”) -- especially to help them get to a “first close.” We invest in venture capital firms owned and operated by URMs who are people of color, women, LGBTQIA+, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and members of other groups that have been historically underrepresented, especially (but not solely) in the venture capital industry. The venture capital funds into which we have invested are predominantly located in the US, Europe and Africa.

Co-founder and Trustee

2001

The Kopelman Foundation provides financial support to qualified not-for-profit organizations

Member, Board of Directors

2015 - 2023

Snider Hockey is a nationally acclaimed non-profit that uses the sport of hockey to educate and empower under-resourced youth of Philadelphia to prosper in the game of life.

Director, Board of Directors

2011 - 2011

Member, Board of Directors

2006 - 2009

Main Line Health is suburban Philadelphia's most comprehensive healthcare resource, operating four of the region's most-respected hospitals.

Director, Board Of Directors

2003 - 2008

Founding Chairman, Board of Directors

2004 - 2004

TurnTide pioneered the world's first anti-spam route -- which worked by disrupting the economic model of spammer. The company was acquired by Symantec in July of 2004.

President, Half.com -- an eBay Company

2000 - 2003

Ran the Half.com business unit for eBay.