Nate Smith

Big ups to Nate Smith – this guy’s a straight-up legend in the startup and tech world. No cap. He’s that serial entrepreneur who’s been around the block a few times, and every time he jumps in, he leaves a mark.

So, Nate’s from the class of ’07 at Olin College – tiny school, but he was already making moves. Helped start their LGBTQ group, so he’s got that inclusive vibe from day one. Dude’s got a background in electrical and computer engineering, which basically means he’s a tech wizard.

Fast forward, he lands at Google, one of the biggest tech giants – and not just to chill. He’s leading major projects like the redesign of Google Image Search in 2010, and he’s also messing around with Google Analytics and Web Search. Basically, he’s the guy who’s shaping how billions of us find shit online. That’s some serious cred.

Nate’s more than just a guy who loves big corporate gigs. The dude’s got that entrepreneurial fire, no cap. He co-founded Lever, now one of the top talent platforms out there – used by Netflix, KPMG, a ton of heavy hitters. He was CEO and CTO, raised over $120 million, and led the company to a massive exit – sold to Employ for over half a billion in 2022. That’s real hustle. It shows he’s got the vision, the grind, and the skills to turn ideas into straight-up impact.

And get this – he’s not just about making money. He’s all about building companies that care about people. His leadership at Lever was big on empathy, user-focused design, promoting a culture that’s inclusive and collaborative. The kind of leader who gets that tech is about people, not just products.

Oh, and he’s not done. In 2025, he co-founded Collate, an AI-driven platform all about speeding up life sciences innovation through better documentation. That’s him jumping into the next frontier – AI, biotech, making the world better and faster.

On top of all that, he’s also been mentoring startups at Y Combinator as a Visiting Group Partner. Basically, he’s helping the next wave of founders crush it. You see, Nate’s process isn’t just about building tech – it’s about building the right kind of tech, with heart, and empowering others along the way.

He lives in SF with his husband, Chris Cheng, and their two bernedoodles – sounds like a chill life, but don’t get it twisted. This guy’s all about changing the game, making real impact, and staying true to his values.

Long story short? Nate Smith is the real deal. Tech genius, startup legend, empathy-driven leader. He’s proving you can crush it in business and still keep it human. That’s why he’s so important – because he’s showing us that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of values. No Cap.