COMPANY INFO
OpenAI Startup Fund, founded in 2021 and based in San Francisco, California, is a corporate venture capital firm investing $175 million in early-stage AI startups across transformative industries such as healthcare, law, education, energy, infrastructure, and sciences. Managed by a dedicated team including Ian Hathaway and Brad Lightcap, the fund aims to empower startups that push the boundaries of artificial intelligence to have a profound, positive impact on the world. Their website is https://www.openai.fund.
OPENAI STARTUP FUND MANAGEMENT, LLC is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, focusing on transformative AI startups across sectors like healthcare, law, education, and infrastructure. Founded in 2021, the OpenAI Startup Fund empowers visionary technology companies poised to redefine industries with innovative artificial intelligence.
The OPENAI STARTUP FUND MANAGEMENT, LLC executives team features a diverse blend of AI visionaries, experienced technologists, and accomplished business leaders. This exceptional leadership group brings together depth in investment expertise, technical mastery, and strong operational skills, all aimed at propelling the fund’s mission to advance safe, beneficial AI. Leveraging backgrounds in finance, data science, engineering, ethics, and entrepreneurship, the management team provides strategic guidance, operational support, and technical insight to portfolio companies and industry partners alike.
Jiacheng Pan (Frank) serves as the Founder & CEO, driving core strategy and leading efforts to establish an AI-powered intelligent financial planner for middle-class families. Under his leadership, the fund’s AI and fintech investment initiatives have grown significantly, with a particular focus on harnessing large-scale language models for financial innovation.
Pan holds an Executive MBA from Peking University and is recognized for his prior experience as a Senior Investment Director at China Minsheng Investment. Combining deep fintech and AI investment knowledge with a track record as a Senior Consultant at KPMG, he is an influential figure in the venture and technology landscape.
Ahmed Samy Fayad is a senior leader responsible for shaping the fund’s long-term vision, promoting business development, and aligning strategic goals with the rapidly evolving AI market. Fayad works across executive and technical teams, ensuring the fund continuously develops cutting-edge, ethical AI solutions while fostering partnerships that expand its industry reach.
Fayad earned a Master of Science in Operations and Supply Chain Management from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Previously, he served as Data Science Manager and Product Line Marketing Manager at OpenAI, and as a Robotics Software Engineer at Dexterity, Inc., bringing significant expertise in strategic planning and complex project management to the OpenAI Startup Fund management team.
John Weinberg partners with startups in the fund’s portfolio, helping them attract top-tier engineering talent and advising on technical hiring and team growth. With a focus on scaling early-stage ventures, Weinberg helps bridge the gap between OpenAI’s expertise and the dynamic startup ecosystem.
A Harvard University alumnus, Weinberg previously founded Stealth (ASI/AGI projects) and has extensive experience in nurturing AI-driven growth and fostering successful startup trajectories.
Kevin Barrett leads the technical department, setting the direction for research, technology development, and engineering excellence at the fund. He spearheaded breakthrough projects in AI-powered virtual assistants and advanced NLP algorithms, driving technical innovation across portfolio companies.
Barrett received his master’s in Computer Science and Technology from Caltech and previously held the position of Risk Management and Safety Technologist at OpenAI. His cross-industry expertise in AI, machine learning, and data science is central to the technical advancement of the fund.
Mizanur Rahman Mizan directs the Safe Systems team to ensure safe deployment and compliance in AI models promoted by the fund. By building robust safety frameworks and guiding legal/ethical adherence, Mizan fortifies trust in AI technologies across sectors.
He earned an MSIS in Mathematics and Computer Science from UCLA and held previous research and leadership roles at OpenAI. Mizan’s specialization in AI safety and applied research bolsters the fund’s reputation for responsible AI development.
Simon Jim offers strategic technical advisory to internal teams and external clients, facilitating AI application across multiple industries. Previously as VP of People and HR Director, he shaped company culture, talent acquisition, and HR strategies for the fund’s rapid growth.
Jim holds a Master of Computer Science from UC Irvine, combining technical acumen with a profound understanding of organizational leadership and AI consulting.
Curtis Li manages teams responsible for developing and deploying customer engagement AI models, enhancing efficiency, and innovating on data management. His cross-functional collaborations generate high-performing algorithms and drive measurable impact for client startups.
Li’s master’s in Computer Science is from the University of Southern California, and his experience in machine learning and AI research positions him as a valuable asset for implementing AI-driven strategies.
Ebraheem Elnagar oversees major AI projects from conception to successful rollout, ensuring strategic alignment and cross-team synergy. He is credited with converting advanced research into impactful, market-ready solutions and sustaining innovation momentum within the fund.
Elnagar holds an engineering degree from Zagazig University and a master’s from Stanford University in Computer Science and Technology. Previously a Research Scientist and Project Manager at OpenAI, he is well-versed in both AI research and operational leadership.
George Liu leads efforts on ethical AI and compliance, shaping responsible development processes and regulatory alignment for OpenAI Startup Fund companies. As a former CTO of OpenAI, he played a key role in establishing technology strategy and standards for effective, fair AI use.
Liu earned a master’s in Computer Science and International Business from UC Berkeley and is highly knowledgeable in AI technology leadership and governance.
Peter Chen heads Amazon’s Frontier AI & Robotics Lab and was previously Co-founder and CEO of covariant.ai. His pioneering work in robotics foundation models reverberates across the AI community, shaping next-generation technologies and investment opportunities.
Chen received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley and formerly contributed as a Research Scientist at OpenAI, bringing extensive technical insight into foundational and applied AI.
The OPENAI STARTUP FUND MANAGEMENT, LLC management team stands out for its collective breadth in AI innovation, financial expertise, technical operations, and industry-specific knowledge. Their collaborative, mission-driven structure ensures the fund consistently identifies high-impact startup opportunities, supports founders, and advances the venture’s overarching commitment to AI that is both innovative and responsible. With accomplished leaders guiding strategic, technical, ethical, and operational priorities, the OPENAI STARTUP FUND MANAGEMENT, LLC executives are instrumental in shaping the future of AI-powered industries.
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