Marcelo Claure

Marcelo Claure
World Economic Forum from Cologny, Switzerland · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Marcelo Claure
Birth date	1967
Birth place	Cochabamba, Bolivia
Occupation	Entrepreneur, investor, executive
Years active	1990s–present
Known for	Wireless, telecom, technology investments, sports ownership

Marcelo Claure is a Bolivian-American entrepreneur and investor known for leadership in telecommunications, technology investing, and sports ownership. He has served as an executive at major corporations and founded investment firms, participating in corporate turnarounds, mergers, and global capital allocation. Claure's career spans Latin America, North America, and Asia, intersecting with prominent firms and sporting franchises.

Early life and education

Born in Cochabamba, Bolivia, Claure emigrated to the United States and pursued higher education at the University of New Haven where he studied engineering and telecommunications. He later attended executive programs and engaged with institutions such as Harvard Business School and industry forums including the World Economic Forum. Early mentors and peers included executives from Sprint Corporation, Belgacom, and Latin American telecom operators.

Business career

Claure began his career in Latin America working with regional operators and technology companies, collaborating with firms like Telefónica, América Móvil, Entel (Chile), Telmex, Viva and other carriers. He founded and led Brightstar, a global wireless device lifecycle company, growing it into a supplier and distributor for Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics, Nokia, LG Electronics and other manufacturers, while partnering with retailers such as Best Buy, Walmart, Carrefour, Teleperformance and carriers including Verizon Communications and AT&T Inc.. Brightstar expanded through acquisitions and joint ventures involving firms like Sprint Corporation partners, investment from private equity such as New Mountain Capital and discussions with strategic investors including SoftBank Group affiliates.

Claure’s dealmaking connected him with global investment banks and advisers, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase and Credit Suisse, while negotiating supply-chain and distribution agreements with logistics firms like DHL and FedEx. His leadership at Brightstar involved scaling operations across regions including Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia and engagements with regulators such as the Federal Communications Commission and competition authorities in multiple jurisdictions.

SoftBank and Sprint leadership

Claure joined a leadership role at SoftBank-affiliated ventures and became chief executive of Sprint Corporation during a period of strategic transformation involving a proposed merger with T-Mobile US and eventual combination with SoftBank Group interests. He worked alongside senior executives and investors including Masayoshi Son, representatives from SoftBank Vision Fund, and board members from Nokia and Ericsson while managing restructuring, cost reduction, and network investment programs with vendors such as Samsung Electronics and Cisco Systems. Claure’s tenure overlapped with regulatory processes at the Federal Communications Commission and merger negotiations with T-Mobile US, connectivity initiatives with companies like Telefonica and capital allocation involving firms like Sprint Nextel Corporation stakeholders and private equity participants.

At SoftBank, Claure also held operating and advisory roles with portfolio entities tied to the SoftBank Vision Fund, engaging with startups and scale-ups such as Uber Technologies, WeWork, Arm Holdings, ByteDance-related investments, and other technology companies. He coordinated corporate governance changes, capital injections, and restructuring efforts across international subsidiaries and affiliates with counsel from law firms active in cross-border M&A.

Sports ownership and investments

Claure expanded into sports ownership and investment, acquiring stakes and operating roles in professional franchises including Major League Soccer and other teams, aligning with sports executives and leagues like Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball front-office figures, and international clubs across Europe and South America. He has been associated with ownership groups and investors that include private equity firms, celebrity investors, and international sports conglomerates, coordinating stadium, marketing, and community engagement initiatives in partnership with municipal authorities and corporate sponsors such as Adidas, Nike, PepsiCo, and media partners like ESPN and Fox Sports.

Claure’s sports investments intersected with digital media, esports, and fan engagement platforms, collaborating with companies including Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Riot Games, streaming services like YouTube and Twitch, and ticketing platforms such as Ticketmaster. He leveraged branding and sponsorship deals with global brands and negotiated athlete and coaching hires through networks including international agents and sports management firms.

Philanthropy and public initiatives

Claure has participated in philanthropic and public initiatives, supporting causes linked to Latin America, education, entrepreneurship, and disaster relief, working with organizations and institutions such as United Nations agencies, Inter-American Development Bank, The Aspen Institute, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and regional NGOs. He has contributed to scholarship programs, entrepreneurship accelerators, and public-private partnerships with universities and industry groups including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Harvard University initiatives, and Latin American development programs. Claure’s philanthropic efforts included collaborations with health organizations, emergency response charities, and international relief campaigns involving partners like Red Cross societies and multilateral development banks.

Personal life and honors

Claure is a dual citizen who maintains residences and business ties across United States, Bolivia, and international business centers such as Tokyo and Miami. He has been recognized by business publications and industry groups, receiving mentions and awards from outlets and institutions including Forbes, Bloomberg, Fortune (magazine), The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and corporate boards and chambers of commerce. Claure participates in speaking engagements at forums like the World Economic Forum, industry conferences alongside executives from Apple Inc., Google LLC, and Microsoft Corporation, and sits on advisory boards of technology and philanthropic organizations.

Category:Bolivian businesspeople Category:American business executives