Zachary Kaplan is an American entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Inventables, a company that connects product developers with innovative materials. Kaplan grew up near Chicago, Illinois, and attended Glenbrook North High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. While still in college, Kaplan co-founded Lever Works, a custom software development company. Lever Works was later acquired by Leo Media. In 2002, Kaplan co-founded Inventables, which has become known as the "hardware store for designers." Under Kaplan's leadership, Inventables has gained significant recognition, including media coverage on National Public Radio and a talk at the TED Conference. The company's products have also been featured on the Discovery Channel's show "Prototype This!". In 2009, Inventables secured $2 million in funding from True Ventures, enabling the launch of an online marketplace for materials. By 2013, the company had raised an additional $3 million from True Ventures and other investors. Kaplan is considered a thought leader in the field of design and innovation and is a sought-after speaker for events and conferences.