Early Life
James Morgan McKelvey Jr. was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Ladue Horton Watkins High School and later graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with degrees in economics and computer science. During his time at Washington University, he worked as a contractor for IBM and also pursued his passion for glassblowing, which would later inspire one of his ventures.
Rise to Success
McKelvey's breakthrough came in 2009 when he co-founded Square (now Block, Inc.) with Jack Dorsey. The idea stemmed from his frustration with the inability to process credit card payments at his glassblowing studio. Square's innovative mobile payment system quickly gained traction, democratizing financial services for small businesses. He served as Square's chairman until 2010 and remains on Block's board.
Key Business Strategies
Square's success can be attributed to several key strategies. The company focused on user-friendly technology, providing simple and affordable tools for businesses. They expanded their services beyond payment processing, including Cash App, Square Capital, and online payment solutions. This diversification and international expansion broadened their customer base and drove revenue growth.
Philanthropy
McKelvey is deeply involved in philanthropy. He founded LaunchCode, a non-profit organization that offers tech education and job placement. He has also made significant donations to Washington University in St. Louis, including a $15 million gift to name the James McKelvey School of Engineering in honor of his father.
