Marcelo Claure: The Tech Entrepreneur and Global Investor
Marcelo Claure is a distinguished technology entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist known for his ability to scale businesses and lead high-stakes corporate turnarounds. From founding one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States to steering major telecommunications giants, Claure has established himself as a pivotal figure in the global tech and investment landscape.
His career is characterized by a strategic focus on Latin American markets and a knack for identifying growth opportunities in wireless services and venture capital. Today, his influence extends beyond the boardroom into the world of professional sports, where he holds ownership stakes in several prominent football clubs.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบ
Key Facts
- Founded Brightstar in 1997, which became the largest Hispanic-owned business in the U.S. for six years.
- Led Sprint's turnaround as President and CEO, returning the company to net income positivity for the first time in 11 years.
- Former COO of SoftBank Group, overseeing a massive portfolio including Arm Holdings and Boston Dynamics.
- Sports Owner with interests in Club Bolivar, Girona FC, and New York City FC.
- Philanthropist who co-founded the 1Million Project (now Project 10Million) to provide internet access to disadvantaged students.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Born on December 9, 1970, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Raúl Marcelo Claure had a nomadic childhood. Due to his father's role as a geologist for the United Nations diplomatic service, he lived in Morocco and the Dominican Republic before settling in La Paz, Bolivia.
Claure's education began at the Instituto Domingo Savio and the American Cooperative School in La Paz. In 1989, he moved to the United States to pursue higher education, initially attending the University of Lowell before transferring to Bentley College. He graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in economics and finance. His academic contributions and success later earned him honorary doctorates from Bentley University and Babson College, and he is a fellow of Harvard Business School.
The Rise of Brightstar and the Sprint Turnaround
In October 1997, Claure founded Brightstar in Miami. The company operated as a wireless distributor and service provider, primarily targeting the Latin American and Caribbean markets. Through strategic partnerships, including a global distribution agreement with Motorola in 2007, Brightstar expanded its reach to 50 countries. In 2013, SoftBank acquired a majority stake in the company for $1.26 billion.
Following the sale, Claure joined Sprint Corporation, becoming President and CEO on August 11, 2014. At the time, Sprint was facing severe financial distress, losing approximately $3.3 billion annually. Claure implemented aggressive financial cuts and focused on customer acquisition, successfully reversing the trend. Under his leadership, Sprint began gaining millions of customers and achieved its best financial results in company history.
Claure later transitioned to Executive Chairman in 2018, where he focused on the regulatory approvals required for the merger between Sprint and T-Mobile USA. After the merger was completed in April 2020, he joined the T-Mobile Board of Directors.
Leadership at SoftBank and Venture Capital
Claure's success at Sprint led to his appointment as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SoftBank Group and CEO of SoftBank Group International in May 2018. Working alongside CEO Masayoshi Son, Claure oversaw a diverse portfolio of technology companies, including Arm Holdings, Boston Dynamics, and WeWork (where he also served as Executive Chairman until early 2022).
He played a critical role in expanding SoftBank's footprint in Latin America, heading the $5 billion SoftBank Latin America Fund. Additionally, he led the $100 million SB Opportunity Fund, which focused on investing in entrepreneurs of color. In 2021, he also launched the SoftBank Miami Initiative to support startups relocating to Florida.
In 2023, Claure shifted his focus toward his own investment vehicle, the Claure Group, and launched Bicycle Capital, a venture capital fund targeting $500 million for Latin American investments. He also took on leadership roles at the fashion giant Shein, serving as Chair of Latin American operations and later as Group Vice Chairman.
Sports Ownership and Philanthropy
Claure is a passionate investor in global football. In 2008, he established BAISA to operate Club Bolivar, Bolivia's most popular club. He has since expanded his portfolio to include ownership stakes in Girona FC (since 2020) and New York City FC (as of September 2024). He was also a partner in the launch of Inter Miami CF alongside David Beckham.
Beyond business and sports, Claure is committed to closing the digital divide. He supported the One Laptop Per Child initiative, which delivered 2.5 million computers to students globally. He also created the 1Million Project Foundation (now Project 10Million), aiming to provide free computer and internet access to ten million disadvantaged students in the United States.
| Entity | Role | Key Achievement/Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Brightstar | Founder & CEO | Largest Hispanic-owned business in the U.S. |
| Sprint | President & CEO | Led financial turnaround and T-Mobile merger |
| SoftBank Group | COO / CEO International | Managed global tech portfolio and LatAm Fund |
| Shein | Group Vice Chairman | International growth and LatAm strategy |
| Bicycle Capital | Founder | $500M LatAm-focused venture capital fund |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Marcelo Claure's role at Sprint?
Marcelo Claure served as the President and CEO of Sprint from 2014 to 2018, and subsequently as Executive Chairman until 2020. He is credited with leading a financial turnaround that made the company net income positive for the first time in 11 years and overseeing its merger with T-Mobile.
Which football clubs does Marcelo Claure own or manage?
Claure is the owner of Club Bolivar in Bolivia, the chairman and co-owner of Girona FC, and a co-vice chairman and co-owner of New York City FC. He was also involved in the founding of Inter Miami CF.
What is the purpose of Project 10Million?
Project 10Million (originally the 1Million Project Foundation) is a philanthropic effort created by Claure to provide free computer and internet access to ten million disadvantaged students in the United States to help close the "homework gap."
What is Bicycle Capital?
Launched in June 2023, Bicycle Capital is a venture capital fund founded by Marcelo Claure that targets $500 million in investments specifically focused on the Latin American market.
What was Claure's contribution to SoftBank?
As COO of SoftBank Group and CEO of SoftBank Group International, Claure managed the strategy and operations of major portfolio companies like Arm and Boston Dynamics, and established the $5 billion SoftBank Latin America Fund.