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David Rogier

Founder & CEO

MasterClass

San Francisco, CA, USA

David Rogier

Frank RoccoGrande

Deutsche Finance International

Greenberg Traurig LLP

David’s Biography

David Rogier is CEO and founder of MasterClass. Founded in 2015, MasterClass is a streaming platform which allows anyone to learn from the world’s experts and leaders across a variety of subjects.

Growing up, he loved learning but struggled in school. Inspired by these experiences, he made it his mission to provide lifelong learning opportunities by reinventing the traditional model. Today, MasterClass provides immediate access to 100+ of the world’s top practitioners and has grown into one of the fastest and largest online learning platforms in the world.

For his achievements, he was recognized on Fortune’s “40 under 40” list as one of the most influential leaders in entertainment and media as well as one of Variety’s Hollywood New Leaders.

David Rogier holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. David Rogier is CEO and founder of MasterClass. Founded in 2015, MasterClass is a streaming platform which allows anyone to learn from the world’s experts and leaders across a variety of subjects.

Growing up, he loved learning but struggled in school. Inspired by these experiences, he made it his mission to provide lifelong learning opportunities by reinventing the traditional model. Today, MasterClass provides immediate access to 100+ of the world’s top practitioners and has grown into one of the fastest and largest online learning platforms in the world.

For his achievements, he was recognized on Fortune’s “40 under 40” list as one of the most influential leaders in entertainment and media as well as one of Variety’s Hollywood New Leaders.

David Rogier holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

David’s Newsfeed

MasterClass Announces Kris Jenner to Teach the Power of Personal Branding

Founder and CEO of MasterClass, David Rogier, comments on why he thinks celebrity and businesswoman Kris Jenner is the perfect candidate to teach a Masterclass in personal branding.

Variety

How MasterClass CEO Brought Star Power to Online Learning

This article looks at the success of MasterClass and how Rogier led the platform by using well known writers, actors, athletes and more to bring legitimacy and joy to the online learning system.

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David’s Background

MasterClass

Founder & CEO

2013 - Present

San Francisco, CA, USA

MasterClass is the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best across a wide range of subjects.

David’s Gallery

Media

What MasterClass Has Taught Its Founder About Entrepreneurship

Interview

Sep 2021

In this interview with Alexa von Tobel, he discusses how his childhood difficulties with learning and a stutter led him to founding MasterClass later in life.

The power of lifelong learning

Interview

Mar 2021

During the 2021 Intellectual Forum and ThinkLab, Rogier gives his take on the power of lifelong learning.

ETL Speaker Series: David Rogier, MasterClass

Interview

Feb 2021

Rogier joins Stanford's Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders series to discuss the road to founding MasterClass, notably the advice he was given that led him to pursue this endeavor. He also discusses how to succeed in a position during the early stages of a career and the importance for founders and entrepreneurs to create principles and values early on in a venture.

Advice on Getting the Most From Advisers

Interview

Feb 2021

Rogier offers tips on how to get the most out of advisors. He speaks on his own challenges and how he came to find advisors with strong points of view and experience in the process.

How to Build Trust Without a Track Record

Interview

Feb 2021

Rogier explains how he landed MasterClass’s first instructors through hundreds of cold calls and emails, and offers advice on avoiding early-stage discouragement.

40 Under 40 - 2020

Featured

2020

He has been recognized as one of Fortune's 2020 40 Under 40 for his achievements as the founder of MasterClass.

Overwrite: How We Learn

Interview

Oct 2020

Rogier joins the Webby Awards' Overwrite virtual event as a featured speaker, where he speaks on the effects of the pandemic on MasterClass’s customer base, the availability of learning and how MasterClass brings world-class instructors to anyone, anywhere.

#thisisnotadvice w/ @drogier, @MasterClass CEO on management (and who to never take advice from)

Interview

Sep 2020

Rogier speaks on his experience as a founder and as a lifelong learner, and how he has learned to take advice from other executives and listen to other points of view, even from those that might differ from his own.

Fundraising Lessons from David Rogier of MasterClass

Featured

Sep 2020

Rogier reflects on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that was given to him when he received his first investment to start his own business and how he drew inspiration from his grandmother to find a way to change lives through learning.

MasterClass CEO David Rogier on Mastering Mastery

Interview

Sep 2020

Rogier joins Cal Fussman to discuss the importance of learning, asking questions and how his childhood curiosity shaped his love of learning.

How MASTERCLASS CEO Hustled His Way to a $100 MILLION SERIES E VC ROUND

Interview

Sep 2020

Rogier describes how the idea for MasterClass was inspiried by his grandmother’s pursuit to become a doctor and how he cold called to secure the platform’s first instructors. David also speaks about how he was able to raise a round of funding from investors, offering tips for pitches during a pandemic.

The Best in the World – MasterClass: David Rogier

Interview

Aug 2020

Rogier speaks on his experience launching MasterClass and how to push through challenges.

How MasterClass Focused on Talent to Stand Out in Online Education Space

Featured

Aug 2020

Rogier speaks with the Wall Street Journal on how he convinced top talent to sign on to the platform and the shift between learning and entertainment.

A Passion for Learning: David Rogier

Interview

Jul 2020

Rogier answers questions about his inspiration for MasterClass and shares insights on how the pandemic will have an impact on the future of learning.

The Dream Academy: How MasterClass Became a Surprise Hit Over Lockdown

Featured

Jun 2020

Rogier discusses MasterClass’s unique format and commitment to learning by providing access to the world’s best. When discussing their instructor's prestiges, David says: “I think that when someone is really good at what they do and they talk about it, it’s not like they’re trying to teach you, they’re just sharing what they know.”

When You Stop Learning, You’re Dead

Interview

Feb 2020

Rogier explains how his childhood experiences shaped his life, which later translated into a desire to change lives through learning.

What 12 minutes with a famous CEO can teach you

Featured

Jan 2020

Rogier discusses his desire to make learning accessible by bringing world-class instructors to teach classes on MasterClass. "We can make the world more fair if everyone has access to these people," he says in regards to the world-class instructor roster.

MasterClass CEO David Rogier On The Extreme Power Of Curiosity

Quoted

Dec 2017

In this featured article by Forbes, he discusses his life-long curiosity that stemmed from a young age and his inspiration for MasterClass.

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Interviews

Podchaser

Click the link to find more interviews and podcasts featuring David.

MasterClass: how to get over a stutter and attract A-listers like Anna Wintour and Martin Scorsese, with Founder & CEO David Rogier

Apr 2022

In this conversation, David Rogier describes how he was able to start MasterClass, his inspiration for the business and how he was able to overcome difficult challenges to achieve his dreams.

Awards & Recognition

40 Under 40 Class of 2021

Featured

Apr 2021

He was recognized by the San Francisco Business Times’ 40 Under 40 for MasterClass’ accomplishments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hollywood’s New Leaders 2020

Featured

Sep 2020

He was featured on Variety’s list of Hollywood’s New Leaders in 2020 for MasterClass’ success during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Speaking Engagements

Where Values Meet Value: Doing Well by Doing Good

Featured Speaker

May 2022

David Rogier was a featured speaker at the Milken Institute 2022 Global Conference, where he participated in a panel titled "Where Values Meet Value: Doing Well by Doing Good."

Creative Constraints as a Tool for Discovery and Innovation

Interview

Mar 2020

At the 2020 Startup Grind Global Conference, he gave a presentation titled, “How to Leverage your Creative Restraints as a Tool for Discovery and Innovation.” During the talk, David spoke of his triumph over the struggle to find motivation, and how he found his desire to change lives.

Shaping the future of online learning @LAUNCH Festival Sydney 2019

Interview

Jul 2019

He was a featured speaker at the 2019 LAUNCH Festival in Sydney, where he discussed a broad range of topics, from MasterClass’ mission to spread education and learning and his appreciation for education that stems from his grandmother’s influence, among others.

StrictlyVC – MasterClass Founder and CEO David Rogier

Interview

Oct 2018

In this interview for StrictlyVC, he addresses MasterClass’ mission to bring world-class instructors to people who are interested in learning through its streaming services. He speaks about popular classes and how MasterClass stands out from other types of online schools.

"The Great Unknown: Optimal Pricing"

Featured

Apr 2018

In this interview for Marketplace Conference titled “The Great Unknown: Optimal Pricing,” he discusses marketing MasterClass as education over entertainment, determining prices for services and his experience of launching his company.

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Investments

Pair Eyewear

Investor

Apr 2021 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Pair Eyewear works to create affordable and stylistic eyeglasses that will encourage children to enjoy wearing glasses to showcase their personalities.

Blacktag Inc.

Investor

Nov 2020 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Blacktag is an innovative digital platform that showcases work by Black artists, musicians and content creators to promote Black voices and diversity.

Ready, Set, Food!

Investor

Jul 2019 - Present

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Ready, Set, Food! was founded in 2017 by parents who created products that would introduce allergens to babies through safe and allergist-developed formulas. Through these services, Ready, Set, Food! hopes to help children avoid severe food allergies for later in life.

Gen.G Esports

Investor

Apr 2019 - Present

Santa Monica, CA, USA

Gen.G Esports, founded in 2017, is an esports organizations that brings competitors from the United States and Asia together, promoting international connections, gender and racial diversity and academic programs.

HitRecord

Investor

Jan 2019 - Present

Glendale, CA, USA

HitRecords was founded in 2004 as an online platform for collaborative projects including short films and books. The platform encourages community growth and working together to provide feedback and inspiration.

Hone

Investor

Jan 2019 - Present

Encinitas, CA, USA

As the modern workplace evolves to meet new challenges, Hone offers a wide variety of management training courses to shape practical leadership skills and create the necessary tools to be an effective team leader.

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David’s Education

Stanford Graduate School of Business

MBA

2009 - 2011

Washington University in St. Louis

BA | Political Science

2001 - 2005