Eric Liu

Let’s dive into the world of Eric Liu, this guy’s the real deal, and his story is straight-up inspiring. So, Eric’s a YC W15 alum, which already means he’s got that startup hustle in his veins. But what’s crazy is his background, he’s been around the block with some heavy hitters like Yelp, SigOpt, MIT, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, and The MathWorks. Dude’s no stranger to tech and research.

What really sets him apart is his passion for using data for good. He co-founded Bayes Impact, a nonprofit backed by YC, that’s all about harnessing big data to solve social issues, stuff like criminal justice, education, healthcare, and jobs. Basically, he jumped into the social good space with the same energy most folks reserve for Silicon Valley unicorns. And it’s not just talk, he served as the U.S. executive director, leading open source projects and data science initiatives that actually make a difference. That’s some advanced stuff.

Before Bayes Impact, Eric was deep in the VC world at Thomvest Ventures, investing in data science startups in finance and ad tech. Plus, he was digging into how machine learning is changing online lending, so he’s always been on the cutting edge of tech and finance. And just to top it off, he graduated magna cum laude from Berkeley with a business degree, so he’s got the brains and the hustle.

What does all this say about him? Honestly, it’s pretty clear, Eric’s driven by a bigger purpose. He’s not just about startups or making cash; he genuinely wants to use tech to solve real problems, to do good at scale. His process from product and research roles to starting a nonprofit that’s actually changing lives? That’s not easy, but he crushed it because he believes in making impact, not just chasing fame or money.

So, if you ask me, Eric Liu is one of those rare founders who combines hardcore tech chops with a heart, someone who’s out here building tools and initiatives that actually matter. He’s proof that startups aren’t just about unicorns and exits, but about making the world better. No Cap, he’s someone to watch because he’s redefining what success means in this space.