About
Ain McKendrick co-founded Palm Computing, where he worked on early PalmPilot devices, and later held roles in consumer electronics at Netflix, Dell, and TiVo. He has extensive experience developing autonomous systems for electric vehicles and autonomous trucks before becoming CEO of Faction Technology.
Founder at FactionYC W21
Intro paths
YC
Ain went through Y Combinator (Winter 2021) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
GP
Their group partner at YC was Brad Flora, Backing expeditions into the future — the partner who ran Faction's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
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In turn, Ain can intro founders to Faction's investors below.
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Experience
- FluidLogic®Board Membercurrent2021 — presentEl Segundo, CA
- FactionFounder & CEO2020 — 2026South San Francisco, CA
- New World AngelsInvestorcurrent2026 — presentBoca Raton, FL
- Miami AngelsInvestor2023 — 2026Miami, FL
- Starsky RoboticsVP Engineering2019 — 2020San Francisco Bay Area
- CyngnSVP of Engineering2017 — 2019Menlo Park, CA
- Podtek Inc.Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer2016 — 2017South San Francisco, CA
- HighfiveVP Engineering2014 — 2016Redwood City, CA
- LyveCo-Founder / VP User Experience & Software2012 — 2014Cupertino, CA
- NetflixSenior Director of Partner Products2009 — 2012Los Gatos, CA
- DellGM, Mobile Devices / Content / Software2005 — 2009Sunnyvale, CA
- MonsterGeckoCo-Founder & CEO2003 — 2006Palo Alto, CA
- DigeoDirector, Software Applications and User Experience2000 — 2003Palo Alto, CA
- TiVoSenior Member of Technical Staff1998 — 2000San Francisco Bay Area
- Diba (acquired by Sun Microsystems)Program Manager, Development Tools1997 — 1998Menlo Park, CA
- Palm ComputingSoftware Engineer / Founding Engineer1992 — 1997San Francisco Bay Area
Skills & more
Management1Strategy13Team Management3Embedded Systems12Board of DirectorsAngel InvestingStart-ups44Product Management70Software Development64PilotAircraftInstrument Rating
+12 more
AviationDrone PilotingConsumer ElectronicsMobile DevicesProduct MarketingSoftware EngineeringMobile ApplicationsUser ExperienceProgram ManagementAgile MethodologiesCloud ComputingScalability- Licensed Pilot Airplane SEL/IFR- 2000+ Hours — Federal Aviation Administration
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAV) — Federal Aviation Administration
- Advanced Open Water Diver / Enriched Air — PADI
From Ain's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Ain McKendrick?
- Ain McKendrick co-founded Palm Computing, where he worked on early PalmPilot devices, and later held roles in consumer electronics at Netflix, Dell, and TiVo. He has extensive experience developing autonomous systems for electric vehicles and autonomous trucks before becoming CEO of Faction Technology.
- Where does Ain McKendrick work?
- Ain McKendrick is Founder of Faction.
- What companies did Ain McKendrick found?
- Ain McKendrick founded Faction.
- Where did Ain McKendrick go to school?
- Ain McKendrick studied at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (BS, Computer Science); Y Combinator.
Founder mafias
Y Combinator mafia8,773
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Sam AltmanPresidentFounded Tools for Humanity +3Jessica LivingstonCo-founderFounded Y CombinatorAlexis OhanianYC Summer 2005Founded RedditFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded Nudge +1Matt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded HotspotsTrae StephensYC Winter 2022Founded Pursuit +1
+ 8,766 more
Y Combinator mafia4,716
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ryan SheaEntrepreneurshipFounded StacksTarek MansourFounded KalshiSuhail DoshiEating beans & riceFounded Playground +1Subomi OluwalanaW22Founded ConvoyDarius "Bubs" MonsefS19Founded Sightbox +3Matthew ScholzFounded Oisin Biotechnologies +3
+ 4,709 more
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo mafia22
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Rick StollmeyerIntegrated Technology ManagementFounded MindBody +1Ben LeeBSEEFounded MovellaCyrus LohrasbpourBachelor of Science (BS)Founded LeanMarketPhillip AkhzarBachelor of ScienceFounded PakibleBrian GonzalezBSFounded CurriAndrew GardnerBachelor's of ScienceFounded Humanly
+ 15 more
Starsky Robotics mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo92
Brent FellowsVice President, Finance and Tax at Menlo VenturesTravis BryantSales Leadership at Redpoint VenturesMax DavisSenior Accountant at HeavybitElizabeth PattersonOperating Partner at Sapphire VenturesRyan AzusFormer Chief Revenue Officer at Zoom Video Communications at Scale Venture PartnersJules GsellInvestor at IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)
+ 86 more
Also attended Y Combinator2,000
Tarek MansourCo-founder & CEO of KalshiSuhail DoshiFounder of Mixpanel; founder of ParticleSubomi OluwalanaCo-founder & CEO of ConvoyMaroof AhmedFounder at Octopus VenturesJustin SwartPartner at Bitkraft Esports VenturesCollin WallaceGeneral Partner at Lobby Capital
+ 1,994 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Starsky Robotics3
Also worked at Cyngn2
Also worked at Netflix57
Reed HastingsCo-founder of NetflixIsabelle StyslingerSenior Associate, Rise of the Rest at RevolutionTim HaleyCo-Founder at Redpoint VenturesKishen PatelInvestor at GreycroftAriel TseitlinPartner at Scale Venture PartnersHal TilyVenture Partner at Rackhouse Venture Management Lp
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+ 51 more
Also worked at Dell170
Jim BreyerFounder & CEO of Breyer CapitalMichael DellFounder & CEO of Dell TechnologiesBill RichterCEO of Qumulo and venture partner at MadronaSujal PatelStrategic Director at Madrona Venture GroupAtli ThorkelssonVP of Network at Redpoint VenturesGil GorenPartner at 83North
+ 164 more