Jim McKelvey
Jim McKelvey is the co-founder of Square, a company focused on innovative solutions. With a background in technology and entrepreneurship, Jim has built a successful business that serves millions of customers.
Jim McKelvey's Bio
James Morgan McKelvey Jr. is an American entrepreneur and co-founder of Block, Inc. (formerly Square) with Jack Dorsey. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he studied economics and computer science at Washington University before launching a series of ventures that blend technology, art, and civic impact.
His career defies easy categorization: he authored a programming handbook as a teenager, built a CD-cabinet manufacturer, spent years as a glassblowing instructor, and co-founded Mira Conference Inc. where a young Jack Dorsey first worked for him. In 2009, after a $2,000 glass sculpture sale fell through because the buyer could not pay by credit card, McKelvey and Dorsey designed the original Square card reader and launched a payments company that would go public on the NYSE.
Beyond Square, McKelvey founded Third Degree Glass Factory, LaunchCode, and Invisibly, and donated $15 million to Washington University's engineering school. He has served as an independent director of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis since 2017 and is the author of The Innovation Stack.
Career Timeline
1965 — Born in St. Louis, Missouri
James Morgan McKelvey Jr. was born in St. Louis, Missouri, where he would later build his first companies and glass studio.
1983 — Entered Washington University in St. Louis
Began undergraduate studies at Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in economics and computer science.
1986 — Published The Debugger's Handbook: UCSD and Apple Pascal
Authored and published a technical programming handbook during his early software career.
1987 — Graduated Washington University — BS Economics and Computer Science
Earned dual bachelor's degrees in economics and computer science from Washington University in St. Louis.
1989 — Founded Mira Conference Inc. (Jack Dorsey was summer intern)
Started Mira Conference Inc. in St. Louis, where a teenage Jack Dorsey worked as a summer intern.
2002 — Co-founded Third Degree Glass Factory with Doug Auer
Opened Third Degree Glass Factory, a St. Louis glass art studio and gallery that remains his most personal creative outlet.
2009 — Co-founded Square with Jack Dorsey
Launched Square, Inc. with Jack Dorsey after a $2,000 glass sculpture sale fell through because the buyer could not pay by credit card.
2013 — Co-founded LaunchCode
Created LaunchCode, a nonprofit that pairs tech companies with paid apprenticeships for people without traditional credentials.
2016 — Founded Invisibly; donated $15M to WashU engineering school
Founded Invisibly, a company exploring how consumers could profit from their own data, and gave $15 million to Washington University's engineering school.
2017 — Appointed Director, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Became an independent director of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
2020 — Published The Innovation Stack
Released his book The Innovation Stack, drawing on the Square story to explain the decision-making principles behind defensible businesses.
2022 — Named Chair, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Appointed chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis board of directors.
