Andrew Paradise

Andrew Paradise is the CEO and Founder of Skillz Inc., a leading mobile gaming platform known for its focus on fair competition and esports. Under his leadership, Skillz has emerged as a pioneer in the mobile gaming industry, becoming the first publicly traded mobile esports platform in December 2020.136

Early Life and Education

Born on April 10, 1982, Paradise developed an interest in technology at a young age, learning to program by modifying video games. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of Auckland and a BA in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he graduated summa cum laude.34

Career Path

Paradise began his career in private equity and venture capital before transitioning into technology entrepreneurship. His first venture was Double Picture, an advertising technology firm he founded in 2008 and sold in 2010. He then launched AisleBuyer, which introduced mobile self-checkout solutions and was sold to Intuit in 2012.124

In 2012, he co-founded Skillz with Casey Chafkin, aiming to enhance competitive gaming experiences for players while providing lucrative opportunities for game developers. Skillz enables developers to create engaging multiplayer tournaments and has hosted billions of competitions globally.134

Achievements

Skillz has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in America, topping the Inc. 5000 list in 2017. Paradise himself was named one of the "40 Under 40" by the San Francisco Business Times in 2018, highlighting his impact on the industry.25 Additionally, he has been featured in major media outlets like Forbes and Bloomberg for his contributions to mobile gaming and entrepreneurship.12

Personal Insights

Paradise believes that competition is not merely about winning or losing but about unlocking potential within individuals. His vision for Skillz reflects this philosophy, aiming to create a platform that fosters creativity and engagement among players worldwide.13