Fen Zhao
InvestorDirector of Data Science & Research at Alpha Edison
Los Angeles, California
Writes $100K – $5M checks · typically $1.5M
About
Fen Zhao has led data science research at Alpha Edison since 2018, using large-scale data sets to identify market opportunities. She previously served as a program officer at the National Science Foundation, managing research portfolios in data science and cybersecurity with a focus on commercializing academic research, and worked at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on science policy for national security during the Obama Administration. Earlier in her career she was an associate in McKinsey's Risk Management practice. She holds a PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford and a BS in Physics and Mathematics for Computer Science from MIT.
Invests in
CybersecurityData & Infrastructure
Experience
- Alpha EdisonPartnercurrent2026 — present
- Alpha EdisonDirector of Research and Data Science2018 — 2026Greater Los Angeles Area
- National Science FoundationProgram Officer2013 — 2017Arlington, VA
- White House Office of Science and Technology PolicyAAAS Policy Fellow2012 — 2013Washington D.C. Metro Area
- National Science FoundationAAAS Policy Fellow2011 — 2012Arlington, VA
- McKinsey & CompanyAssociate2009 — 2011Florham Park, NJ
Skills & more
InvestmentsFederal Grants ManagementData ScienceVenture CapitalPortfolio ManagementProgram ManagementFinancial Modeling
From Fen's professional profile.
Colleagues at Alpha Edison
Network5
Britt Danneman
Principal at Alpha Edison
Harry Morris
Analyst at Alpha Edison
Nate Redmond
Partner at Alpha Edison
Nick Grouf
Partner at Alpha Edison
Robey Miller
Partner at Alpha Edison
Investors connected to Fen in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Fen Zhao?
- Fen Zhao has led data science research at Alpha Edison since 2018, using large-scale data sets to identify market opportunities. She previously served as a program officer at the National Science Foundation, managing research portfolios in data science and cybersecurity with a focus on commercializing academic research, and worked at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on science policy for national security during the Obama Administration. Earlier in her career she was an associate in McKinsey's Risk Management practice. She holds a PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford and a BS in Physics and Mathematics for Computer Science from MIT.
- Where does Fen Zhao work?
- Fen Zhao is Director of Data Science & Research at Alpha Edison.
- What does Fen Zhao invest in?
- Fen Zhao invests in Cybersecurity, Data & Infrastructure.
- What check size does Fen Zhao write?
- Fen Zhao typically writes checks of $100K – $5M.
- Where did Fen Zhao go to school?
- Fen Zhao studied at Stanford University (PhD, Applied Physics); Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS, Physics (8)); Hunter College High School.
Same school
Also attended Stanford University2,000
Peter ThielCo-founder & Partner at Founders FundReid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockDavid SacksCo-founder & General Partner at Craft Ventures; former White House AI & Crypto CzarKeith RaboisManaging Director at Khosla VenturesGarry TanPresident & CEO of Y CombinatorAlfred LinPartner at Sequoia Capital
+ 1,994 more
Also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology1,387
Fred WilsonCo-founder & Partner at Union Square VenturesElad GilSolo general partner investing through Gil CapitalAileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesHemant TanejaCEO & Managing Director of General CatalystNat FriedmanCo-lead of Meta Superintelligence Labs; co-founder of NFDGBrad FeldCo-founder of Foundry and Techstars
+ 1,381 more
Also attended Hunter College High School12
Franklin BiGeneral Partner at Pantera CapitalMiyuki MatsumotoInvestor at Aglae VenturesKrishna ShahSenior Associate at CVS Health VenturesGeri KirilovaPartner at LaconiaKatherine HoffmannAI Lead at UNICEF Innovation FundSpencer Gordon-SandDirector of Operations (alum) at Lofty Ventures
+ 6 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Alpha Edison13
Nick GroufPartner at Alpha EdisonSteve HorowitzPartner at Alpha EdisonJami HuntManaging Partner at Alpha EdisonAngela JonesPartner at Alpha EdisonSteve LapinController at Alpha EdisonTara NikkhooOperations Manager at Alpha Edison
+ 7 more
Also worked at National Science Foundation61
Corey RitterPartner at ARCH Venture PartnersVic SinghGeneral Partner at RRE VenturesAaron FykeFounder and Managing Partner at Thin Line CapitalLucy LiuPrincipal at Longwood FundElisa Miller-OutCo-Founder and Managing Partner at Chloe CapitalPaul KimLearning & Development at Roble Ventures
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+ 55 more
Also worked at White House Office of Science and Technology Policy2
Also worked at McKinsey & Company1,549
Elad GilSolo general partner investing through Gil CapitalJim BreyerFounder & CEO of Breyer CapitalAnn Miura-KoCo-founding Partner at FloodgateJeremy LiewPartner at Lightspeed Venture PartnersMike SpeiserManaging Director at Sutter Hill VenturesJeremy LevinePartner at Bessemer Venture Partners
+ 1,543 more