Marc Tarpenning

Venture Partner

2019 - Current

Spero Ventures in an early stage venture capital firm that invests in founders building a future that belongs to everyone. We aim to deliver value to shareholders and society. We invest in the things that make life worth living: well-being (of people and planet), work and purpose and human connections.

Member of the Advisory Board

2018

Since 2005, SCET has created the foundation of Berkeley’s entrepreneurship ecosystem including SkyDeck, the Fung Institute, the Engineering Leadership Professional Program, Global Venture Lab, and an extensive ecosystem of Silicon Valley and Global partners. The Center is also known for developing the Berkeley Method, an internationally recognized approach to teaching technology entrepreneurship to undergraduates, innovation to Ph.D. students, and technology firm leadership to professionals and executives.

Advisor

2015

Advisor to new companies coming out of UC Berkeley

Member of the Advisory Board

2016 - 2023

Acquired by Rockwell Automation

Advisory Board Member, Science Learning Institute

2012 - 2023

Member Board of Trustees

2014 - 2023

Member Board Of Directors

2015 - 2022

Innovate Public Schools is a nonprofit organization working to make sure that all students — especially low-income students and students of color — receive a world-class public education that prepares them for success in college, careers and beyond. We’re building a movement of families, educators, and business and elected leaders who together will make this vision a reality.

Trustee

2009 - 2018

Elected school board member, and Vice President since 2011. Helped lead a $17M campus project funded by public bonds and private donations that removed the last "modular" buildings, replaced our main auditorium and performance space, and built a new maker and design space. In program, we successfully added a Mandarin language option in the middle school, introduced design thinking, oversaw the whole school adoption of SEL, and renewed our emphasis on differentiated learning.

Member, Supervisorial District Three

2013 - 2018

It was a pleasure to have served the County on the CCSDO for 5 years and great to have been present to welcome the winning members of the committee for District 3 on election night.

Mentor

2011 - 2013

Advising early stage and expanding cleantech companies on business model and strategy