Joe Kraus

Joe Kraus is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and operator known for his leadership qualities. With a philosophy of 'winning with friends,' he values teamwork and achieving the seemingly impossible together. He has a rich history in the tech industry, having co-founded Excite.com, one of the earliest Internet search engines, in 1993. Taking Excite.com public in 1996 and selling it in 2000 marked a significant milestone in his career, with a substantial $6.7 billion transaction.

In 2004, Kraus co-founded another successful venture, JotSpot, which was eventually acquired by Google in 2006. Transitioning to Google Ventures (GV) in 2009, he served as a General Partner for a decade, focusing on investments in the Transportation sector, contributing to the success of companies like Turo, KeepTruckin', Flock Freight, and Lime. Kraus played a key role in scaling up GV during his tenure, particularly in the realm of Marketplaces, backing notable platforms such as StockX and Peerspace.

Currently, Joe Kraus has repositioned himself in an operational role as the President of Lime, a company dedicated to transforming cities for the better. At Lime, he spearheads the Product division, managing aspects like hardware design, engineering, supply chain, logistics, and software product management, showcasing his expertise in these domains. Lime's mission under Kraus's leadership is to prioritize people over cars, addressing the pressing issue of climate change and shaping a sustainable urban future.

Having pursued a B.A. in Political Science at Stanford University, Joe Kraus has a strong educational background that complements his illustrious career. His professional journey has seen him hold influential roles across various organizations, from being the President and Partner at Google Ventures to serving as the CEO of JotSpot and founding entities like DigitalConsumer.org and Excite.com.