Andrew Rachleff

Teaching Statement

Andy Rachleff co-teaches Innovation and non-founder CEOs with Thomas Layton and Mike Volpi and Aligning Start-ups with Their Markets with Bill Barnett. These courses are designed to prepare students to succeed in information technology based businesses.

Bio

From 1995 until 2004 Andy was a co-founder and General Partner of Benchmark Capital. Upon his retirement from Benchmark, Andy joined the faculty of the Stanford Graduate School of Business to teach a variety of courses on entrepreneurship. In 2008 he co-founded Wealthfront Inc. where he now serves as Chairman and CEO. Prior to his 10 years at Benchmark Capital, Andy spent 10 years with Merrill, Pickard, Anderson & Eyre (MPAE).

In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Stanford, Andy serves as trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and Chairman of its endowment investment committee. He sits on the board of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation with whom he and his wife partnered on an award that provides funding for early career investigators who conduct high risk/high reward research that can significantly impact the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Academic Degrees

• MBA, Stanford University, 1984
• BS, University of Pennsylvania, 1980

Academic Appointments

• At Stanford since 2005

Professional Experience

• Chairman & CEO, Wealthfront Inc., 2016 - present
• Executive Chairman, Wealthfront Inc., 2014 - 2016
• President & CEO, Wealthfront Inc, 2008 - 2013
• General Partner, Benchmark Capital, 1995-2005
• General Partner, Merrill, Pickard, Anderson & Eyre, 1986-1995
• Associate, Harvest Ventures, 1984-1986
• Associate, Lamoreaux, Glynn & Associates, 1983-1984
• Financial Analyst, Blyth Eastman Paine Webber, 1980-1982

Awards and Honors

• MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer for 2007-2008

Teaching

Degree Courses

2018-19

STRAMGT 504: Innovation and Non-founder CEOs

This course examines how companies innovate after the success of their first product, and why non-founder led companies are often less successful at this than founder led companies. We focus on how non-founder CEOs can drive more innovation while...

2017-18

STRAMGT 359: Aligning Start-ups with their Market

Most everyone associated with technology start-ups would agree that the most important initial characteristic of a successful endeavor is a compelling vision. The journey from vision to escape velocity is highly dependent on management''s ability...

STRAMGT 504: Innovation and Non-founder CEOs

This course examines how companies innovate after the success of their first product, and why non-founder led companies are often less successful at this than founder led companies. We focus on how non-founder CEOs can drive more innovation while...

2016-17

STRAMGT 359: Aligning Start-ups with their Market

Most everyone associated with technology start-ups would agree that the most important initial characteristic of a successful endeavor is a compelling vision. The journey from vision to escape velocity is highly dependent on management''s ability...

STRAMGT 504: Innovation and Non-founder CEOs

This course examines how companies innovate after the success of their first product, and why non-founder led companies are often less successful at this than founder led companies. We focus on how non-founder CEOs can drive more innovation while...

Other Teaching

Stanford Executive Program

National Football League Business Management and Entrepreneurship Program

In the Media

Smart Beta And Factor Timing

Seeking Alpha, May 21, 2015

Insights by Stanford Business

writtenAndy Rachleff: Democratizing the Investment Business

June 25, 2013

A former venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and Stanford GSB lecturer explains how to build a great company.