Mario Ruiz
Alongside his investment work, Mario is a vocal supporter and proponent of diversity, equity & inclusion within venture capital and entrepreneurship. While at PayPal, he conceptualized and led PayPal's fund investments into 19 underrepresented fund managers and co-founded Dorm Room Fund's Blueprint Track to support aspiring BIPOC founders and investors. Mario is the former co-chair of the Junior Leadership Board for the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), which helps further the mission of the SEO Scholars educational program while also developing professionals into future non-profit board leaders. He is an alumnus of SEO's Career and Alternative Investments Fellowship Programs.
Mario received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Baruch College and his Master of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management. The Bronx, NY native currently resides in Connecticut with his wife.
Mario started his first company in middle school, an online sneaker reselling business (before StockX and GOAT), and sold over 1K pairs of sneakers in 7 years, paying for his entire college education from the profits. He learned a lot about the antiquated commerce process through this experience including payments, fulfillment/logistics, and customer support. His entrepreneurial mindset makes him an ideal investor, helping founders navigate challenges and develop their businesses.
Previously, Mario was a venture investor at PayPal Ventures and Dorm Room Fund, and a growth equity investor at Napier Park Global Capital. Mario started his career as an investment banking Analyst and Associate at Barclays in New York. Mario is currently part of Class 27 of the Kauffman Fellows program.
Alongside his investment work, Mario is a vocal supporter and proponent of diversity, equity & inclusion within venture capital and entrepreneurship. While at PayPal, he conceptualized and led PayPal’s fund investments into 19 underrepresented fund managers and co-founded Dorm Room Fund’s Blueprint Track to support aspiring BIPOC founders and investors.
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Mario received his BBA from Baruch College and his MBA from the Yale School of Management. When he’s not working, he’s searching for the best coffee shops to read books (but doesn’t drink coffee) and lurking on Discord channels.