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    Sailesh Ramakrishnan

    Passionate about solving Climate Change and anything that goes to Space! Am a Dad, Managing Director @ rocketship.vc and went to school at Univ of Michigan, UPitt, Virginia Tech, IIT Madras.

    Sailesh Ramakrishnan is a Managing Partner at Rocketship.vc, a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. He has an extensive background in technology, entrepreneurship, and investing.

    Career Highlights

    Sailesh co-founded Rocketship.vc in February 2014 and has been serving as a Managing Partner since then.1 Prior to this role, he was the CTO and co-founder of LocBox, a startup focused on marketing for local businesses, which was later acquired by Square.2

    His professional experience includes:

    • Director of Engineering at @WalmartLabs
    • Various leadership roles at Kosmix, including Director of Engineering and Lead for Monetization and Metrics
    • Computer Scientist at NASA Ames Research Center

    Educational Background

    Sailesh has a strong academic foundation:

    • B.Tech from IIT Madras
    • MS in Construction Management from Virginia Tech
    • MS in Intelligent Systems from the University of Pittsburgh
    • PhD candidate in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Michigan (2001-2005)1

    Expertise and Approach

    At Rocketship.vc, Sailesh is known for his data-driven approach to investing. The firm uses algorithms and data analysis to identify promising startups, particularly in areas like climate tech and sustainability.3 His technical expertise spans various topics, including relevance algorithms and web page monetization.1

    Research and Early Career

    Before entering the startup world, Sailesh worked on applying AI to computer modeling of cancer at the University of Pittsburgh. At the University of Michigan, he contributed to the development of higher-level reasoning for Nursebot, a robotic assistant for the elderly. His research at NASA focused on contingency planning for Mars Rovers as part of the Mars Exploration Rovers mission.2

    Investment Philosophy

    As a VC, Sailesh emphasizes the importance of understanding the ecosystem in which a startup operates. He advises founders to consider not just the funding amount or the VC firm's name, but also the expertise and support they can provide in the specific domain of the startup.4

    Sailesh Ramakrishnan's unique journey from a software engineer to a VC partner, combined with his technical background and data-driven approach, has positioned him as a notable figure in the venture capital landscape, particularly in the realm of AI and sustainability-focused investments.

    Highlights

    Aug 17 · youtube.com
    The INDUStry Show with Sailesh Ramakrishnan - YouTube
    The INDUStry Show with Sailesh Ramakrishnan - YouTube
    Aug 9 · youtube.com
    649th 1Mby1M Roundtable with Sailesh Ramakrishnan, Rocketship.vc
    649th 1Mby1M Roundtable with Sailesh Ramakrishnan, Rocketship.vc
    Jan 11 · VCCircle
    Coinbase Ventures, Better Capital, others back IppoPay - VCCircle
    Sep 23 · IBS Intelligence
    IppoPay raises funds from Better Capital & Global Angels - IBS Intelligence

    Related Questions

    What are some of the notable startups that Rocketship.vc has invested in?
    How did Sailesh Ramakrishnan transition from NASA to the startup world?
    What is the investment strategy of Rocketship.vc?
    Can you tell me more about Sailesh's role at Walmart Labs?
    What was the impact of LocBox being acquired by Square on Sailesh's career?
    Sailesh Ramakrishnan
    Sailesh Ramakrishnan, photo 1
    Sailesh Ramakrishnan, photo 2
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    Location

    Saratoga, California, United States