# Dane Witbeck

> Dane Witbeck is the Austin-based CEO and co-founder of Pinwheel, which makes parent-managed phones and other communication devices for children. A Georgia Tech engineering graduate, he previously co-founded Meshify, acquired by HSB / Munich Re in 2016. His next venture grew from researching technology choices for his own four children; he is also an angel investor.

- **Role:** CEO & Co-Founder at Pinwheel Kids' & Teens' Phone
- **Organizations:** Pinwheel, Meshify, Vesper Ventures, Techstars
- **Education:** BS, Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford LEAD program, Business Administration and Management, Stanford Graduate School of Business
- **Known for:** Georgia Tech 40 Under 40, class of 2021., Co-founded Meshify, acquired by HSB / Munich Re in 2016., Led Pinwheel to Inc. 5000 appearances in 2024 and 2026.

## Career timeline

- **2009** — Graduated from Georgia Tech in materials science and engineering.
- **Before Meshify** — Worked at National Oilwell Varco.
- **By 2014** — Co-founded Houston-based connected-device software company Meshify with boyhood friend Lewis Wight.
- **2016** — Meshify acquired by HSB, part of Munich Re.
- **2016-2019** — Angel investor at Vesper Ventures, according to company filing biography.
- **2019** — Founded Pinwheel; company filing lists CEO and co-founder role beginning September 2019.
- **2019** — Began serving as a Techstars mentor in November, according to company filing biography.
- **2020** — First Pinwheel phones sold.
- **2021** — Named to Georgia Tech Alumni Association's 40 Under 40.
- **2024** — Pinwheel ranked No. 212 on the Inc. 5000.
- **2026** — Pinwheel made a second Inc. 5000 appearance and expanded its home telephone offering to Canada.

## Achievements

- Georgia Tech 40 Under 40, class of 2021.
- Co-founded Meshify, acquired by HSB / Munich Re in 2016.
- Led Pinwheel to Inc. 5000 appearances in 2024 and 2026.
- Pinwheel serves families in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
- Reported investing in about 25 startups in June 2026.
- Reported that Pinwheel had been profitable for two years in June 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Pinwheel announced its home telephone launch in Canada on September 3.
- **2026-08** — Pinwheel announced its second Inc. 5000 appearance on August 11; Inc. lists a 2026 rank of 4,112.
- **2026-06** — Discussed Pinwheel Home, renewed fundraising and two years of profitability with Eric Bandholz on Ecommerce Conversations.
- **2026-03** — Appeared on Code Story with Noah Labhart to discuss Pinwheel's founding and product development.

## Links

- Website: https://www.pinwheel.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danewitbeck/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/dane-witbeck
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21