David Barrett

Founder, CEO, and Director, Expensify
Portland, Oregon,United States
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Who Is David Barrett?

Total Experience32 years
CompanyExpensify
CountryUnited States

David Barrett is a highly influential software engineer and entrepreneur, best known as the founder and CEO of Expensify, the popular expense management software company. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in computer engineering, Barrett's career began in the video game industry, where he worked on the 3D graphics engine for the iconic game 'Duke Nukem 3D'. He later founded Red Swoosh, an early peer-to-peer file-sharing company, which he sold to Akamai Technologies in 2007. In 2008, he founded Expensify with the mission to create 'expense reports that don't suck!' Under his leadership, Expensify grew into a globally recognized, publicly-traded company, noted not only for its product but also for its unconventional flat organizational structure and a 'rule-free' corporate culture that empowers employee autonomy.

How Did David Barrett's Career Path Shape Their Journey?

David Barrett's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:

Expensify - Founder, CEO, and Director(2008 to Present)
Lumina - Strategic Advisor(2021 to Present)
Akamai - Engineering Manager(2007 to 2008)
Red Swoosh - Engineering Manager(2005 to 2008)
Akamai Technologies - Engineering Manager, P2P Division(2007 to 2008)
iGlance.com - Owner(2004 to 2005)
NextPage - Project Manager / Technical Writer(2001 to 2004)
netLens - Technical Writer(2001 to 2002)
Motorsims - Lead 3D Programmer(1998 to 2000)

What Are David Barrett's Key Achievements?

Founder and CEO of Expensify

Founded Expensify in 2008 and scaled it from a concept into a publicly-traded company (NASDAQ: EXFY) that serves millions of users worldwide, fundamentally changing how businesses manage expenses.

Successful IPO Leadership

Successfully led Expensify through its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in November 2021, a landmark achievement that valued the company at over $2 billion at the time of its debut.

Pioneering P2P Technology

Developed and founded Red Swoosh, one of the earliest peer-to-peer (P2P) content delivery networks, which was successfully acquired by Akamai Technologies for approximately $19 million in 2007.

Innovator in Corporate Culture

Championed a unique, flat management hierarchy at Expensify, promoting a culture of radical transparency and employee autonomy that challenges traditional corporate structures.

What's David Barrett's Educational Background?

BSE, Computer Engineering

University of Michigan - Year 1994

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
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Corporate Finance

Company Overview

Expensify
Total employees680
HeadquartersPortland
Founded2008

Expensify is a leading software company that develops a comprehensive expense management system for both personal and business use. Its platform streamlines the entire pre-accounting process by allowing users to scan receipts, track expenses, manage corporate cards, create invoices, pay bills, and book travel. The service is designed to simplify financial management for individuals, small businesses, and large corporations, aiming to make expense reports and reimbursements an automated and hassle-free experience.

Expensify Stock Information
Expensify, Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol EXFY. The company went public on November 10, 2021

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