Danae Ringelmann
Danae Ringelmann co-founded Indiegogo in 2008 and serves as its Chief Development Officer. Her San Francisco-based platform democratized crowdfunding, raising over $850 million for creators, with 42% of successful campaigns led by women.
Danae Ringelmann's Bio
Danae Ringelmann is the co-founder and Chief Development Officer of Indiegogo, the pioneering crowdfunding platform she launched in 2008 to democratize fundraising for creators and entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, Indiegogo has grown into the world's largest funding platform, helping raise over $850 million for projects with 42% of successful campaigns led by women.
Ringelmann began her career in finance, spending six years as a financial analyst at J.P. Morgan after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Witnessing how hard it was for small businesses and artists to secure capital-she comes from a family of small-business owners-she became determined to build a solution. She earned her MBA from Berkeley Haas, where she refined the vision for Indiegogo.
Despite facing 90 investor rejections in the early days, Ringelmann and her co-founders persisted, building a platform that would empower millions to bring their ideas to life. The company's success cemented her reputation as a leading voice in fintech and entrepreneurship.
Today, Ringelmann serves as an active board member at Indiegogo while expanding her impact as an advisor and public speaker supporting entrepreneurs. She has been named to Fortune Magazine's 40 under 40 and now splits her time between tech and regenerative agriculture as co-owner of Huso Lodge & Farm in Oslo, Norway.
Career Timeline
2000 — Graduated UNC Chapel Hill
Earned Bachelor of Science in Business degree
2000 — Joined J.P. Morgan
Began career as financial analyst in media & entertainment group
2006 — Entered Berkeley Haas MBA
Started MBA program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
2006 — Met co-founders Eric Schell & Slava Rubin at Indiegogo
Formed founding team at Berkeley; developed crowdfunding concept
2008 — Co-founded Indiegogo
Launched platform in January with 10 film campaigns at Sundance
2009 — Survived financial crisis & near-shutdown at Indiegogo
Endured 90+ investor rejections; team committed $30K each; nearly shut down before traction
2011 — Raised $1.5M first round at Indiegogo
Secured first external funding after 3+ years bootstrapping
2012 — Closed $15M Series A at Indiegogo
Led Series A funding; scaled company with senior talent hires
2018 — Stepped down from day-to-day operations at Indiegogo
Transitioned to board role; moved to Norway with family
