A 1997 venture in Miami, Brightstar, eventually became the largest Hispanic-owned business in the United States, cementing the reputation of its founder, Marcelo Claure. Born in Guatemala City in 1970, he leveraged a background in economics and finance to navigate the complex international telecommunications landscape, transitioning from a wireless entrepreneur into a high-level executive within global investment firms.
Early Development and Career Start
Raised largely in La Paz, Bolivia, after periods living in Morocco and the Dominican Republic, Claure graduated from the American Cooperative School in 1989. He pursued higher education in the United States, attending the University of Massachusetts Lowell before transferring to Bentley College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1993. His professional life began back in Bolivia with the Bolivian Football Federation, followed by a pivot to the American telecommunications market in 1995 through the purchase and expansion of USA Wireless.
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After founding Brightstar in 1997, Claure secured critical distribution agreements with Motorola that fueled the company’s growth across 50 countries. SoftBank acquired a majority stake in the firm for $1.26 billion in 2013. In 2014, Claure was appointed President and CEO of Sprint Corporation. He implemented financial restructuring that reversed years of losses, facilitating the company’s eventual merger with T-Mobile USA, completed in 2020.
SoftBank and Contemporary Ventures
Serving as COO of SoftBank Group and CEO of SoftBank Group International between 2020 and 2022, Claure managed diverse holdings, including Arm Holdings and WeWork. He also directed the $5 billion SoftBank Latin America Fund. Since leaving SoftBank, he has remained active as the founder of Claure Group and head of Bicycle Capital. In 2023, he assumed the role of Group Vice Chairman for the fashion firm Shein.
Sports Ownership and Philanthropy
Claure maintains a significant presence in professional sports as the owner of Club Bolivar. He is also a co-owner and chairman of Girona FC and serves as a co-vice chairman of the New York City Football Club. His philanthropic efforts have largely centered on educational access, notably through the One Laptop Per Child initiative and the 1Million Project Foundation, established during his tenure at Sprint.
Fast facts
- Born: 9 December 1970, Guatemala City
- Alma Mater: Bentley University, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Brightstar founded: 1997
- Sprint CEO tenure: 2014–2018
- Estimated net worth: US$2 billion (August 2022)
- Current role: Group Vice Chairman, Shein
- Primary sports investment: Club Bolivar
- Citizenship: Bolivia
Questions readers ask
What is Marcelo Claure's primary business connection to fashion?
In 2023, he was appointed chair of the Latin American operations of Shein and subsequently became the company's Group Vice Chairman in October 2023.
Did Marcelo Claure hold a leadership position at Sprint?
Yes, he served as President and CEO from 2014 to 2018 and as executive chairman from 2018 to 2020.
Achievements
- Educated at Bentley University and University of Massachusetts Lowell
