Farooq Abbasi, a University of Illinois alumnus, is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and educator. With a passion for innovation and social impact, he has made significant contributions in the world of venture capital, mentoring, and supporting emerging startups. Abbasi's extensive professional experience includes serving as the Founder and General Partner at Preface Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in companies tackling complex societal challenges. He has also served as a mentor at top-tier institutions such as MIT Sloan School of Management and Stanford University, and an associate/fellow at Creative Destruction Lab, a venture accelerator for science and technology startups.

Abbasi is known for his strategic investment decisions and expertise in identifying forward-thinking, innovative companies. He is also a co-founder of Diversity VC, an initiative aimed at promoting greater diversity within the venture capital ecosystem. Moreover, he has held several key positions at other leading venture capital firms such as Costanoa Ventures and Mosaic Ventures. His professional journey began as an intern at FanSnap and as a summer analyst at Citi bank.

Abbasi has a solid educational background, having studied Bachelor of Science at the University of Illinois. His cross-sector knowledge in finance, tech, and venture capital has earned him a reputation as a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial thought leader.