Harrison Metal

Harrison Metal is a venture capital firm founded in 2008 by Michael Dearing, focused on early-stage investments in private technology companies. Operating across six funds, the firm has built a portfolio of technology company investments with capital sourced from a select group of limited partners, including university endowments, charitable trusts, and pension funds. As General Partner, Michael Dearing oversees all investment activity and portfolio management, bringing a distinctive combination of operational, academic, and investment experience to the firm's strategy. In addition to its investment activities, Harrison Metal periodically offers educational programming in business history and management targeted at emerging entrepreneurs and executives. These classes draw on Michael Dearing's extensive background as a general manager, venture investor, and Consulting Associate Professor at Stanford University. The curriculum reflects a practitioner's perspective on product development, organizational design, and business strategy, with particular emphasis on how companies can structure product management processes to maximize creative input, maintain clear priorities, and enforce accountability with minimal organizational overhead. Prior to founding Harrison Metal, Dearing spent six and a half years at eBay, progressing from category manager of furniture and appliances to Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for eBay.com. Earlier career experience includes roles at Industrial Shoe Warehouse, The Walt Disney Company in corporate Strategic Planning, Filene's Basement in downtown Boston store operations, and Bain and Company. He holds an AB in Economics with a focus in economic history from Brown University and an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School. Harrison Metal operates at the intersection of capital deployment and knowledge transfer, distinguishing itself among early-stage venture firms through its commitment to founder education alongside financial investment.