# Wade Eyerly

> Wade Eyerly is an American entrepreneur and investor based in Lehi, Utah. He co-founded Surf Air and served as its original CEO, later co-founded Beacon and Degree Insurance, and is now listed as managing partner of Buko Ventures and founder and CEO of Eyerly Electrics. His career spans public service, subscription aviation, graduate-income insurance and emerging-markets investing.

- **Role:** Managing Partner at Buko Ventures; Founder and CEO at Eyerly Electrics
- **Organizations:** Buko Ventures, Eyerly Electrics, Double River Impact, Degree Insurance, Surf Air, Beacon, Wheels Up, Defense Intelligence Agency, U.S. Department of Defense
- **From:** Kansas City, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA, International Economic Policy and Cross Cultural Relations, University of Central Missouri, MPP, Public Policy - International Economic Development, Brigham Young University, Certificate, Global Management, Brigham Young University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Surf Air and helped launch its subscription flight service in June 2013., Co-founded Degree Insurance and developed an insurance model covering graduate earnings shortfalls., Led investments in Peddlr, Shoppable, Humble Sustainability and Prosperna at Double River Impact.

## Career timeline

- **1998-2000** — Served a church mission in Moscow, Russia.
- **2002** — Completed undergraduate studies at the University of Central Missouri.
- **2003-2005** — Worked in vice-presidential press advance for Bush-Cheney.
- **2007** — Completed graduate study at BYU and began work at the Defense Intelligence Agency.
- **2009** — Deployed to Iraq while serving with an intelligence agency.
- **2012** — Co-founded Surf Air and served as its original CEO; the venture participated in MuckerLab.
- **2013** — Surf Air began passenger service on June 12 between Burbank and San Carlos.
- **2014** — Left Surf Air leadership; Jeff Potter became CEO.
- **2015** — Beacon announced its Northeast subscription travel service.
- **2016** — Beacon closed; Eyerly joined Wheels Up as managing director of new ventures.
- **2017** — Founded Degree Insurance, according to his Wellfound profile.
- **2021** — Augustana College announced a Degree Insurance pilot for 20 incoming transfer students.
- **2022** — Presented the graduate-earnings insurance concept during a Department of Education rulemaking session.
- **2024** — Buko announced Eyerly would lead its next phase, following his investment work at Double River Impact.
- **2026** — Spoke at Utah Valley University’s Halladay lecture series on February 10.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Surf Air and helped launch its subscription flight service in June 2013.
- Co-founded Degree Insurance and developed an insurance model covering graduate earnings shortfalls.
- Led investments in Peddlr, Shoppable, Humble Sustainability and Prosperna at Double River Impact.
- Selected to lead Buko Ventures’ next phase in its June 2024 announcement.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — Delivered a Halladay entrepreneurship lecture at Utah Valley University on February 10, discussing identity, career signals and fulfillment.
- **2025-06** — Signed Buko Ventures Fund I’s June 9 Form D as manager of its general partner.
- **2024-06** — Buko Ventures announced Eyerly would lead its next phase and a planned expansion beyond the Philippines.

## Links

- Website: https://wadeeyerly.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadeeyerly
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/wadeeyerly

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/wade-eyerly
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23