Tech entrepreneur André Swanston ’99 returned to campus as the commencement speaker at the Class of 2024’s graduation ceremony.
In 2013, Mr. Swanston co-founded the digital marketplace Tru Optik, which he sold in 2020 to TransUnion for a reported nine figures, making it one of the most lucrative exit deals made by a Black CEO in the U.S.
He recently founded the Swanston Organization, which provides seed capital to startups with a particular focus on supporting minority entrepreneurs and women. Mr. Swanston was a keynote speaker at this year’s Yale Black Venture Summit, which gathered Black entrepreneurs and investors to network and build community.
While growing up in the Bronx, New York, Mr. Swanston participated in the Prep for Prep program, which led him to attend Hotchkiss. During his time at the school, Swanston was involved in BaHSA, played trombone in the jazz band, took contemporary dance, played with JV and Varsity Football, and served as a co-captain of Boys Varsity Basketball and Track and Field. Mr. Swanston said, “Attending and graduating from Hotchkiss is such a big milestone in life. In my speech, I wanted to put in context why this means so much and motivate people to go after their dreams and aspirations.”
In an interview with The Record, Mr. Swanston said, “Rush patiently. Anything that is of value, anything that is important, anything that is difficult, takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Give yourself patience, grace, and time to accomplish your dreams, aspirations, and goals. It’s not going to happen overnight, but that does not mean you should put everything off till tomorrow or next year or five years from now. Just start trying.”
