James Hardiman is an accomplished investor in early-stage applied artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech companies with extensive experience in board leadership, business management, and engineering. He is currently a partner at Data Collective (DCVC), a venture capital firm focused on investing in AI and data-driven startups that help solve pressing global issues. James holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Chicago - Booth School of Business.

He has served as an investor and board director for several startups, including a stealth biotech company, a stealth industrial inspection company, Gradle Inc., a stealth robotics company, among others. Besides, he has been an investor and board observer at companies such as Q-CTRL, Gro Intelligence, Subtle Medical, Unlearn.AI, and nTopology Inc. James has extensive experience in the AI, machine learning, 3D printing, biotech, and healthcare industry. He also worked at ZS Associates as a consultant and Blackstone Group as a summer associate.

Before his stint in investment and business management, James worked at Lam Research, a multinational semiconductor company, where he focused on research and development.