Ian Webster

Deadass, here’s what you need to know about Ian Webster, this guy’s a straight-up data wizard and tech badass who’s been crushing it across some crazy different worlds. No Cap.

So, he’s a YC W16 alum, which already shows he’s got that startup grit. But what’s wild is his path before that. Started out at Dartmouth, graduated in 2011, so he’s been in the game for over a decade now. But what really sets him apart? The dude’s been jumping into some of the coolest, most niche stuff out there.

First off, he was a cofounder and CTO at Zenysis, a company that’s all about macro-level data analysis, think governments and global health orgs using big data to make real-world decisions. That’s some heavy-duty stuff, and it shows he’s got a knack for turning complex data into something practical. Basically, he’s a hero behind the scenes helping save lives and run countries better.

Before Zenysis, he founded Asterank, a killer asteroid database and visualization project. Yeah, you heard that right, he’s into space rocks. That project was so dope it got acquired by Planetary Resources, a big name in asteroid mining. That shows he’s not just about data; he’s all about pushing boundaries and doing stuff straight out of sci-fi.

And his resume? It’s nuts. He worked at Google, leading engineering at Room 77, a hotel search startup that Google snapped up. So he’s got that big tech pedigree, knowing how to build and scale products. Plus, he’s worked at NASA, contributing to research projects. The dude literally co-investigated with NASA on some science mission grants. That’s advanced nerd shit.

But he’s not just about business and tech. He’s also into visualization and science communication. Created Ancient Earth and Dinosaurpictures.org, tools that make paleogeography and paleontology accessible and interesting. Basically, he loves making science fun and digestible, which is kinda rare in the startup world.

What does all this say about him? Honestly, he’s driven by curiosity and a desire to solve big, complicated problems. Whether it’s mapping ancient Earth, analyzing global health data, or tracking asteroids, he’s all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. His process shows he’s not in it for the fame, he’s in it for making a real impact, in some of the coolest, most ambitious ways possible.

Long story short? Ian Webster is that rare mix of scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur who’s not afraid to jump into the deep end. He’s built stuff that matters, from space rocks to saving lives, and he’s just getting started. The guy’s a straight-up innovator, and if you’re into startups or tech that actually changes the world, you gotta keep an eye on him.