Tom Giannattasio

Yo, you gotta hear about Tom Giannattasio. This guy’s the real deal in the design and productivity world, and his story? Straight fire.

So, Tom’s been in the game for a minute. He’s a YC S20 alum, which honestly says a lot, being part of that batch means you’re crushing it from day one. Before that, he was at some pretty sick places, InVision, Twitter, Smashing Magazine, all that good stuff. The dude’s got a legit background in design, tech, and making tools that actually matter.

His process kicked off with Macaw, a web design tool that he started and got snapped up by InVision back in 2015. That was a big win, showing he’s got the Midas touch for building stuff people actually want. Then, he went all-in on his own vision with Clover, an all-in-one digital notebook for creatives. It was part of YC’s Summer 2020 batch, which, no cap, is a huge badge of honor. And get this, Figma ended up buying Clover. That’s like the ultimate stamp of approval, proving Tom’s got the skills to build something that the biggest players in the world want.

But here’s what’s crazy: Tom’s more than just about making cool tools. He’s a product guy through and through. At InVision, he was the Executive Principal Designer and Director of Product + Design, leading teams, shaping products, and setting the vision. Now, as of 2023, he’s crushing it at Figma as a Manager of Product Management. The dude’s been climbing that ladder, but it’s all about pushing the envelope and building stuff that totally changes how people work and create.

What’s his secret? The dude’s got a killer mix of design chops, he’s got a BS in Graphic Design from Pennsylvania College of Technology and an AAS in Computer Art & Design from SUNY Alfred. Plus, his experience spans from academia to big tech, MIT, Twitter (via acquihire, which is basically getting a bag of talent), nclud, Boston University, Sabre Hospitality. Basically, he’s been everywhere, soaking up knowledge, and then turning that into startups that actually stick.

And the motivation? No bullshit, Tom’s about building tools that enable creatives and teams. He’s the guy who sees a problem, jumps into it, and doesn’t stop until he’s built something that actually works, something that sticks. His whole story is about relentless hustle, smart design, and never settling for the status quo.

Long story short? Tom Giannattasio is a legit powerhouse in the startup and design space. He’s built, sold, and now helps shape the future at Figma. He’s proof that if you keep your head down, build real stuff, and stay hungry, you can crush it in tech and design, no Cap.