Most classroom conversations don’t result in the founding of an organization. Then again, discussions in the Stanford Executive Program classrooms aren’t “most” classroom conversations. In 2020, SEP ’19 classmates Dan Matthies and Babu Sidavasan co-founded Reaction, a venture capital firm that addresses urgent global challenges, based on discussions with their peers. The program participants wanted to make an impact and had the numbers and networking skills to back them up. They made a plan to put their combined experience, expertise, and alumni connections into action. Now including members from the 2014–2022 SEP classes, 225 Stanford alumni across nearly 50 countries are driving transformative change around the world by supporting and investing in innovative entrepreneurs.
Dan, a managing partner at Reaction, already had experience building and operating global tech businesses. A Stanford Changemaker and Top 100 Innovator, Dan set an ambitious goal for the organization: “Improve the lives of one billion people within this decade by scaling innovations that change the world.” They decided to focus on health technology to address the global problems of heart disease, mental health, and chronic disease, and on deep tech climate solutions to advance sustainability and combat climate change. “Through relentless effort and creative approaches, Dan fostered a space where diverse minds connect to scale solutions that improve lives and protect the planet,” says Markus Sieger, SEP ’19.
According to Dan, Reaction stands out in the VC space because its global community of investors, influential industry leaders, and strategic advisors takes a hands-on, active role in helping innovators create viable solutions to the world’s problems. Markus also credits Dan’s leadership, saying, “It exemplifies the fusion of vision, determination, and ingenuity needed to drive meaningful change. Dan’s work continues to inspire others to think boldly, act decisively, and create a brighter future for generations to come.” The GSB, already well represented through the organization’s network, has left another mark as well — as a nod to its Stanford roots, the group named one of their funds “W250 Venture” after the campus room where the idea for Reaction was first discussed.
