Michael Dearing

Michael is the founder of Harrison Metal, a seed-stage venture capital fund based in Palo Alto, California. Harrison Metal backs early-stage startups in gaming, ecommerce, consumer media & communications, small business services, and developer tools & services. Harrison Metal’s investments focus on software and services for the desktop and mobile markets. Michael is also a Consulting Associate Professor at the d.school at Stanford University where he co-developed and co-taught courses including Creating Infectious Action, Creating Mass Market Experiences, Entrepreneurial Finance, and Launchpad. Prior to founding Harrison Metal, Michael worked at eBay (NASDAQ – EBAY) as Senior Vice President & General Merchandise Manager. In that role, he led category management, product marketing, seller development, eBay Stores, and direct-to-consumer marketing for eBay North America. While at eBay, Michael and his colleagues were also responsible for the launch and growth of innovations such as Buy-it-Now, the listings upgrade business, eBay Stores, and ProStores. Prior to eBay, Michael held operating and strategy roles at Industrial Shoe Warehouse, the Walt Disney Company (NYSE – DIS), Filene’s Basement, and Bain & Company. Michael holds an AB in Economics, with a focus in economic history, from Brown University, and an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School.