Jyri Engeström

Jyri Engeström is a prominent venture capitalist and entrepreneur, currently serving as a Co-Founder and General Partner at Yes VC, an early-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco. Yes VC focuses on investing in pre-seed and seed-stage companies, particularly those driven by social movements. Engeström co-founded the firm with Caterina Fake, a well-known figure in the tech industry, and together they have backed numerous successful startups, including Unity, Dapper Labs, and Oura.124

Before establishing Yes VC in 2018, Engeström had a notable career as both an entrepreneur and an investor. He co-founded Jaiku, a mobile social network that was acquired by Google, and Ditto, a mobile local recommendations app that was acquired by Groupon. His experience also includes a role as a seed investor at True Ventures, where he contributed to investments in various companies, including Iceye, which focuses on climate change solutions through satellite technology.1235

Engeström's career has been characterized by a blend of product management and investment roles. He has held significant positions at major tech companies, including Google, where he managed the Gmail mobile app, and Groupon, where he was Director of Product Management. His background also includes a tenure at Nokia as a Senior Product Manager.134

In addition to his investment activities, Engeström is involved in educational initiatives, co-founding Sesat School, a micro-school in San Francisco, and serving on the board of the Rare Cancer Research Foundation. He is also a co-owner of a café in Helsinki.14