Dave Mawhinney Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award and Inducted into 2025 Dealmakers Hall of Fame

Dave Mawhinney (MSIA ‘90), Founding Executive Director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, was recognized with two prestigious honors this spring for his decades of transformative impact on Pittsburgh’s business and startup ecosystem.

At the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association's (PVCA) 30th Annual Awards Dinner on May 1, Mawhinney received the Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition reserved for those whose careers have left a lasting legacy in the venture and entrepreneurial landscape of the region.

Additionally, Mawhinney was inducted into the 2025 Dealmakers Hall of Fame by Pittsburgh Smart Business, which celebrates visionary leaders whose work has reshaped industries and propelled the region’s business community forward.

A recognized champion of innovation and one of the region’s most respected entrepreneurial leaders, Mawhinney serves as Executive Director of the Donald H. Jones Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Tepper School. He has mentored generations of student entrepreneurs and played a pivotal role in shaping one of the nation’s most vibrant and successful university startup ecosystems.

“Working alongside students, founders, and investors committed to turning bold ideas into lasting companies has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my career,” Mawhinney said. “Pittsburgh’s innovation community is stronger than ever, and I’m proud to be part of its journey. The future is incredibly promising, and I’m excited to see what’s next.”

During his time at CMU, Mawhinney co-founded three groundbreaking early-stage investment initiatives: the Open Field Entrepreneurs Fund, VentureBridge, and the 99Tartans Syndicate. Collectively, these funds have made more than 200 investments in CMU-founded startups, which have raised more than $500 million in follow-on funding and achieved nearly $2 billion in valuation.

A serial entrepreneur himself, Mawhinney co-founded mSpoke, which became LinkedIn’s first-ever acquisition in 2010. He also co-founded Peak Strategy, later acquired by Morgan Stanley’s MSCI/Barra division; Premier Health Exchange, Hawk Medical, and Industry.Net, the latter of which merged with AT&T Business Network to form Nets, Inc. His experience spans startup creation, investment, and mentorship, all with an unwavering commitment to elevating others.

As Mawhinney continues to invest his time and expertise into the next generation of innovators, his impact continues to echo across Pittsburgh, CMU, and the global entrepreneurial landscape.