John Backus

John Backus is a technology entrepreneur and executive currently serving as the CTO of Cognito at Plaid.1 Here's an overview of his background and career:

Professional Experience

John co-founded Cognito, an identity verification company, in July 2013 and served as its CTO.1 Cognito developed an API for identity verification, focusing on simplifying the process through advanced technology integrations and partnerships.12 In January 2022, Cognito was acquired by Plaid for approximately $250 million, and John transitioned to his current role as CTO of Cognito at Plaid.2

Education and Early Career

John holds a BS in Computer Science from Stanford University, which he attended from 2012 to 2016.1 During his time at Stanford, he expressed interest in exploring technologies related to cryptocurrencies, 3D printing, augmented reality, and autonomous robotic drones.1

Before founding Cognito, John gained experience as a software developer at companies like KZO Innovations and Koofers.com.1 He also briefly served as a Technical Lead for Bloom Protocol, working on decentralized identity and credit solutions.1

Interests and Online Presence

John is active online and shares his work and thoughts on various platforms.2 He maintains a personal website (johnback.us) where he discusses his core interests, which revolve around questions of human flourishing, coordination, and the long-term future of humanity.2

Current Location

As of the most recent information available, John Backus is based in Miami, Florida.13