Early Life
David Zalik's journey began in Israel, where he was born. At the age of four, his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Alabama, where his father became a mathematics professor. Zalik showed an early aptitude for academics, bypassing high school to attend Auburn University at the age of 14. He studied mathematics following in his father's footsteps.
Rise to Success
Zalik's entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. While at Auburn University, he started his first company, MicroTech Information Systems, assembling and selling computers. In 1996, he sold the company for a few million dollars. Zalik later founded Outweb, a consultancy for businesses trying to build websites, but was late to the market. After investing in real estate, he co-founded GreenSky in 2006, which has become his most significant success.
Key Business Strategies
GreenSky's innovative model connects consumers with financing options for home improvement and healthcare, acting as a middleman between banks and consumers. The company’s success lies in its efficient mobile app and its strategy of partnering with contractors and merchants, streamlining the loan process. GreenSky facilitates billions of dollars in loans and earns revenue from both contractors and banks.
Philanthropy
Beyond his business achievements, Zalik is actively involved in philanthropy. Through the Zalik Foundation, he supports various causes, with a particular focus on children's healthcare and educational initiatives. He and his wife, Helen, donated land and buildings worth over $34 million to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to address the mental health crisis.
