Jim McKelvey

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Jim McKelvey is best known as the co-founder of Square, now known as Block, the company behind the small plastic device that enables merchants to accept credit card payments via smartphones—a tool now ubiquitous across food trucks and small businesses across the U.S. and expanding internationally to places like Australia. Co-founded with Jack Dorsey (also known for co-founding Twitter), the company has grown to employ over 2,500 people and reached a market value of more than $30 billion. Since Square’s early days and its subsequent surge to a valuation exceeding $100 billion, Jim has remained committed to fostering innovation.

He went on to found LaunchCode, a nonprofit organization that provides free programming education and has helped thousands secure full-time jobs in tech in under six months. Now in its second decade, LaunchCode continues to expand opportunities for those outside traditional education and career pathways. Jim is also the author of The Innovation Stack, a compelling exploration of how world-changing companies build competition-proof strategies through layered innovation. His other works include two textbooks on computer programming and The Art of Fire, the definitive guide to glassblowing—a craft in which he is recognized as a master artist. His glasswork is featured in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Smithsonian, and he operates Third Degree Glass Factory in St. Louis, one of the largest glassblowing centers in the U.S.

Beyond entrepreneurship and the arts, Jim served for six years on the board of the St. Louis Federal Reserve, where he helped recruit a new President. He also serves on the board of Emerson Electric, contributing to a major corporate transformation. His current ventures include developing the world’s first plastic-free disposable diaper, streamlining FDA drug approval, and building tools that empower people to manage their digital identities.

While many know him for his tech success, Jim remains deeply passionate about solving hard, often overlooked problems—whether in public health, education, or the environment. He frequently speaks to audiences across industries, customizing his talks to spark curiosity, inspire innovation, and offer real-world strategies for change.

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