Sean Kelly

Founder & Investor. Building companies at the intersection of health, media & founder performance.

Hey there, I’m Sean. I play at the intersection of investing, media and human performance.

I’m a three-time INC 500 founder & entrepreneur with businesses in eCommerce, SaaS, media and B2B services that have collectively generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

Right now, I serve as a General Partner at The Family Fund and am the CEO of Significant Publications, a B2B digital media holding company.

I'm particularly passionate about our brand FounderIV in support of today's founder-athletes. We help today's top entrepreneurs achieve breakout performance in their personal and professional lives.

I co-founded and led multiple other companies, including SnackNation, a health-centric foodservice and brand discovery platform that served 20,000 businesses across the US. 

Under my leadership, SnackNation was honored as one of the country’s Best Workplaces by Inc. Magazine, recognized for Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, and certified as a Great Workplace by Great Place to Work®.

Forbes listed me as one of the top 30 leaders under 30 and one of America’s most promising CEOs under 35. Comparably also ranked me among the country’s top 50 small-to-medium sized business CEOs multiple years in a row. 

Outside of the business world, I’m a two-time national medalist in freestyle snowboarding, hold an advisory role at the growth capital firm, Meaningful Partners, have a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University and am an avid sports fan of all Michigan sports teams (especially the Wolverines).

I currently live in Venice, CA with my wife and college sweetheart, Shannon, and our goldendoodle, Jameson.

Chairman

Sprouts Farmers Market HQ visit was 🔥

A core tenant of ours at The Family Fund is to create partnerships and collaborations with the most influential people and businesses within the consumer ecosystem.

Those folks who can most move the needle for the founders and companies were fortunate enough to support.

And Sprouts is at the top of this list.

Not sure if any other retailers care as much about helping emerging brands succeed…

And being the first to do so.

When brands partner with Sprouts correctly, king and queen-making can occur.

Thanks to Kim Coffin Scott Romano and Brody Burk for the hospitality, and much more so…

For caring so damn much about the work you do. 

Josh Wand and I loved jamming with you.

No alternative text description for this image

Too may legends too little time.

Such is life at Expo West.

Loved seeing each one of you.

I continue to be inspired by the better-for-you consumer ecosystem.

Most importantly the founders that are battling each and every day to solve problems that they deeply care about.

We are in the golden age of CPG.

AI ain’t removing our need for atoms and physical goods.

And with the OpEx reduction automation will allow us to experience…

Better margins…

Higher enterprise valuations…

And entrepreneurship will continue to explode.

Love where we’re at!

Will Nitze 
Stephen Ellsworth 
Michael Brandt 
Josh Wand 
Morgan Buehler Zanotti 
Jack Savage 
Gulrez Arora 
James Boyd 
Taylor Griffin 
Steve Young 
Colleen Kang

Some guys have all the luck.

Just ran into Livio (Italian for “Living Legend”) at Expo West.

He somehow got his hands on a Founderland golden ticket!!

Tried to buy it off of him but he refused.

An early access, VIP ticket to the top B2B consumer health event in Malibu, CA on October 1st!

“Where founders have fun AND deals get done.”

1,000+ of today’s top founders, retailers, strategics and investors…

A B2B festival where value and serendipity reign and transactional behavior is lame.

If any of you know Livio Bisterzo please advise because I am willing to go to incredible lengths to get my hands on of these.

A Founderland.us golden ticket!!!

Shannon Kelly 
Josh Wand  
Seth Gusow

First Founderland Adventure trip in the books.

Yellowstone Club was 🤯

The founder crew we put together was even better.

I don't believe there is a better way create meaningful relationships then getting off of screens, away from the norm and experiencing 3 days of new challenges & outdoor adventure together.

Thanks to our friends and legendary co-hosts:

- Matthew LaCasse Ethan Greaves and Lizzi Ackerman LaCasse from E+PATROL (and our beautiful hosts at YC)

- Kristofer Reddaway, CEPA® from Citizens 

- Gareth Domingo from AppLovin

And to Stephen Ellsworth from poppi for inspiring me to put this ski trip together when we were hanging at Founderland last year.

Pumped (and already planning) the next one... 
 (Have a feeling these adventure trips will be another key way we bring founders together in a differentiated way at The Family Fund & Founder Community)

And thanks to the phenomenal leaders, founders and friends who made this experience OTT:

Josh Wand
Michael Brandt
Jack Savage
Morgan Buehler Zanotti
Adam Goldberg
Tyler Ricks
Josh Deemer
Jeff Mroz
Giancarlo Maniaci
Curtis Christopherson
Wes Van Dyk
Dave Clark

Let’s roll!

CEO at PRAY.COM

Steve is an American Entrepreneur, NCAA Champion, and the youngest advisor to the President of the United States to be appointed to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. 

Currently, Gatena is the Founder and CEO of PRAY.COM, the world’s #1 app for daily prayer and faith-based mental health content. 

Under his leadership, PRAY.COM has achieved unprecedented heights, becoming the highest-grossing religious app in history and recognized as Los Angeles’ best workplace. The company’s remarkable growth and influence has garnered numerous accolades, including Inc Magazine’s “Best in Business,” Fast Company’s “World Changing Ideas,” and recognition by Inc 5000 as the fastest growing faith-based media company in the US.

Gatena’s entrepreneurial journey began early. At age 22, he founded REP Interactive, which rapidly became America’s fastest-growing video marketing agency. REP Interactive earned over 100 industry awards for its work with global corporations and was recognized as one of America’s best workplaces. Building on this success, Gatena launched VideoFort, Hollywood’s largest stock footage supplier, providing critical content for blockbuster films such as “Transformers” and renowned television series including Discovery Channel’s “Planet Earth.”

In 2014, Gatena was honored at the United Nations as an “Entrepreneur of the Year.” Following this, he took the helm at Helinet in 2015, steering the global aerial surveillance and film production leader through challenging times, including the tragic loss of his mentor and business partner, Alan Purwin. This pivotal moment led Gatena to establish PRAY.COM, the digital destination for faith.

Recognized for his leadership, Steve has been awarded Los Angeles Times Executive of the Year, EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, and featured in CSQ Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Visionaries. The Healthcare Technology Report also honored him as one of the top 25 Consumer Health Tech Executives for his groundbreaking collaboration with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, bridging faith and mental health.

At just 34, Gatena was appointed by the 45th President of the United States to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, providing bipartisan guidance on critical economic and cybersecurity issues under both President Trump and President Biden.

Today, Gatena extends his influence through philanthropy, serving as a Board Member for Beyond the Brotherhood, a nonprofit committed to assisting Navy SEALs in their transition to meaningful civilian careers.

Steve Gatena

“Hey friends, I’m about to turn 65 soon and I wanted to share something personal that’s been on my mind.

I’ve been an airline pilot for 36 years. 

I’m no genius or rocket scientist—definitely not a wunderkind with job offers from NASA or JPL. 

Just an average guy who’s pretty good at staying humble.

Here’s the thing: At age 64, I had to learn how to fly one of the most advanced airliners in the world — the Airbus A350. 

Now, I’d spent 25 years flying the Boeing 767, which is a totally different beast. 

I had *never* flown an Airbus before, and let me tell you, it’s like switching from a bicycle to a spaceship.

I was the oldest pilot in my Delta A350 training class. 

Many younger pilots were struggling with the program — and I was warned that at my age, I might not make it through. 

The training manual? Over 7,000 pages. 

There were endless videos, 6 weeks of simulator sessions, and tough exams that tested everything. People said, “It can’t be done, old guy.”

Well, bullshit.

I cruised through the training like it was just another day at the office. 

It wasn’t harder than when I learned the MD-11 back in 1991 at 34 years old even though the A350 program was way more complex. 

My brain didn’t skip a beat in 30 years. 

I passed with flying colors.

If I can do it, anyone can.

Here’s my takeaway: Age is just a number. 

Some people might find learning harder at 30, 40, or 50, but some of us are still sharp as ever into our 60s, 70s, or even 90s. 

Don’t count yourself out because of age. 

Don’t underestimate older people many of us are still going strong, and sometimes even stronger than the young ones.

Be kind. 

Show respect. 

Treat everyone especially older folks with dignity. 

Because one day, in the blink of an eye, you’ll be one of us. And trust me, you’ll want someone to treat you right.”

Credit: Mandi Shre

taplio

The Battle

Sean Kelly

Steve Gatena

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreSean Kelly's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreSteve Gatena's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Sean Kelly

Steve Gatena

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Sean Kelly's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreSteve Gatena's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreSean Kelly's LinkedIn Performance