David Lieb

David Lieb is a prominent figure in the tech startup ecosystem, currently serving as a Group Partner at Y Combinator (YC). He is best known for co-founding Bump, a mobile app that allowed users to share photos and contact information by simply bumping their devices together. Launched in 2009 as part of YC's Summer batch, Bump gained significant popularity, amassing over 150 million users before being acquired by Google in 2013. The technology and concepts developed during Bump's creation laid the groundwork for Google Photos, which has since become one of the most widely used photo management services globally.124

Background and Education

Lieb's educational journey includes degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Princeton University and Stanford University, where he specialized in machine learning and computer vision. He also began an MBA program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business but left to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions with Bump.235

Career at Google and Y Combinator

After Bump's acquisition, Lieb worked at Google for nearly a decade, where he played a significant role in developing Google Photos. His experience at Google, coupled with his entrepreneurial background, has positioned him as a valuable asset in guiding new startups at Y Combinator. He returned to YC as a Visiting Partner before becoming a full-time Group Partner in 2024, where he focuses on mentoring founders and helping them navigate the challenges of building successful companies.1245

Personal Insights

Lieb's journey has not been without challenges; he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018 but successfully overcame the illness. This experience prompted him to reassess his priorities and reaffirm his commitment to the startup community, particularly at Y Combinator, where he feels most at home.145

In his role at YC, Lieb emphasizes the importance of understanding and connecting with customers, guiding founders to focus on building products that truly meet user needs. His insights are shaped by his own experiences as a founder, making him a relatable and effective mentor for emerging entrepreneurs.14