Wade Foster

Wade Foster is the co-founder and CEO of Zapier, a leading workflow automation platform. Alongside co-founders Bryan Helmig and Mike Knoop, Foster developed the initial prototype of Zapier during a startup weekend competition, where the team built and presented the first version of the product. Based in Central Missouri, the team pursued a unique approach by focusing on nights-and-weekends development while maintaining their day jobs, rather than seeking immediate venture funding. Foster and his team navigated early challenges and rejections, including from Y Combinator, before eventually joining the accelerator program.

Foster holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and an MBA from the University of Missouri. Before founding Zapier, he worked as a product manager on a web application serving 20,000 students and as an email marketing manager at Veterans United, experiences that influenced Zapier's direction. Under Foster's leadership, Zapier participated in Y Combinator and expanded into a major player in the automation software industry. Zapier connects with thousands of apps, has maintained profitability, and operates with a fully remote workforce.

Foster and Zapier have received recognition in the technology and cloud computing sectors. Zapier has appeared on the Forbes Cloud 100 list of top private cloud companies, and Foster has been included on Forbes 30 Under 30 and received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award. Zapier's automation tools have supported businesses in adapting to remote work and digital transformation. Foster's leadership emphasizes customer support, with all employees participating in customer service, and he advocates for balanced work-life practices.

Foster is recognized as a thought leader on the future of work, automation, and artificial intelligence. He is a frequent podcast guest and hosts "Agents of Scale," a podcast focused on integrating AI into business operations. Zapier requires new hires to be proficient in AI, with a significant portion of the team using AI daily. Foster shares insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and operational efficiency, highlighting the importance of taking action over excessive planning. His experience building a remote-first, multi-billion-dollar company with minimal outside funding positions him as a credible resource for entrepreneurs and business leaders in the technology and automation industries.