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Mackenzie Kosut
Director @ Microsoft / CTO-in-Residence. Ex-Amazon, Betterment, Oscar, Tumblr
Mackenzie Kosut is a prominent figure in the tech startup ecosystem, currently serving as the Director at Microsoft for Startups. His career has been focused on supporting and accelerating the growth of startups across various stages of development.
Professional Background
Mackenzie's current role at Microsoft involves several key responsibilities:
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Principal AI Advocate for Startups: In this capacity, he works to accelerate top AI founders' access to capital, credits, and the latest AI technologies.3
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Director - Digital Native CSAs: Kosut took on this position at Microsoft in September 2022, indicating his involvement with cloud solution architecture for digital-native companies.4
Previous Experience
Before joining Microsoft, Mackenzie held significant positions in other major tech companies:
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Global Startup Advocate at Amazon: In this role, he provided mentorship, guidance, and support to startups of various types, leveraging his extensive background in the field.
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AWS Global Evangelist: While at Amazon Web Services, Kosut was involved in initiatives such as interviewing startup founders and leaders during events like AWS re::no-wrap[Invent.5]
Involvement in Startup Ecosystem
Mackenzie Kosut has been actively involved in supporting the startup community:
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He has participated as a judge or mentor in startup competitions, such as the Webit Founders Games, which connects promising startups with investors and enterprise business leaders.1
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His work focuses on bridging the gap between startups, investors, and established enterprises, helping to foster innovation and growth in the tech industry.
Personal Initiatives
During challenging times, Mackenzie demonstrated his commitment to community support by creating an online discussion board where people could offer resources, guidance, and support.2
Mackenzie Kosut's career trajectory and current role at Microsoft for Startups position him as a key figure in the startup ecosystem, particularly in areas related to AI, cloud technologies, and digital innovation.