George Ruan
InvestorCo-Founder and Managing Partner at Protagonist
Los Angeles, California
Writes $10K β $1M checks Β· typically $25K
About
George Ruan, a serial founder of five startups who co-founded Honey and achieved a $4B PayPal exit after modest VC, leverages China insight to prioritize friction removal and capital efficiency.
ContactΒ· self-published, not guessed
Invests in
AI & Machine LearningConsumerCrypto & Web3Enterprise SoftwareFintech
Experience
- EluveCo-founder and CEOcurrent2023 β present
- ProtagonistCo-Founder, Managing Partnercurrent2022 β presentMiami, Florida, United States
- PayPalVP - Honey2020 β 2022
- HoneyCo-founder and CEO2012 β 2020Los Angeles, CA
- Open PresenceCEO2008 β 2012
- Medical Science Int.Co-Founder2005 β 2007Guangzhou, China
- ABDOTC PublishingCo-Founder2006 β 2007
- Animebooks.comFounder2000 β 2005
Skills & more
Web Analytics15Web Development14Cause Marketing9Social Media Marketing15Entrepreneurship34Online Advertising19
From George's professional profile.
Colleagues at Protagonist
George Bousis
Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Protagonist
Harry Hurst
Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Protagonist
James Norris
Partner, CFO & Chief Compliance Officer at Protagonist
JP Grant
Director of Strategic Partnerships at Fiat Ventures
Malcolm Palle
Non-Executive Chairman at Coinsilium Group
Michael Gargiulo
Analyst at Protagonist
Nick Malone
Senior Associate at Protagonist
Sevan Avakian
Partner, General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer at Protagonist
Network8
Alex MacCawScout
Investor at Earl Grey Capital
Ashley MayerScout
Co-founder and full-time GP at Coalition Operators
Barrett BiringerScout
Principal, Owner at Plexus Capital
Brad GarlinghouseScout
Chief Executive Officer at Ripple
Drew TaggartScout
General Partner at Mantis Capital
Theodore KoenigScout
President at Monroe Capital
Heather Hartnett
General Partner, CEO at Human Ventures
Joe Marchese
Executive Chairman at Human Ventures
Investors connected to George in public investor directories β a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is George Ruan?
- George Ruan, a serial founder of five startups who co-founded Honey and achieved a $4B PayPal exit after modest VC, leverages China insight to prioritize friction removal and capital efficiency.
- Where does George Ruan work?
- George Ruan is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Protagonist.
- What does George Ruan invest in?
- George Ruan invests in AI & Machine Learning, Consumer, Crypto & Web3, Enterprise Software, Fintech.
- What check size does George Ruan write?
- George Ruan typically writes checks of $10K β $1M.
- Where did George Ruan go to school?
- George Ruan studied at UC Irvine.
Founder mafias
PayPal mafia48
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Peter ThielCo-founder & CEOFounded PalantirReid HoffmanBoard member from 1998; Executive Vice PresidentFounded LinkedIn +2Joe LonsdaleIntern, FinanceFounded Opto +3Elon MuskCo-founder (X.com); CEO 2000Founded Tesla +5Max LevchinCo-founder & CTOFounded AffirmKanishk ParasharManager, Software DevelopmentFounded Powder +1
+ 41 more
UC Irvine mafia39
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Jon O'BryanPhDFounded Blankethomes +2Francis LarsonBAFounded Leif +1Victor NogueraMechanical Engineering ThesisFounded Labsense +1Casey SpencerFounded ItsWare +1Binh TranBSFounded AVVTak CheungDoctor of Medicine (M.D.)Founded Lexington Medical, Inc
+ 32 more
Same school
Also attended UC Irvine120
Christian BuergerPortfolio Development at Intel CapitalJonathan GiegCommunity Manager at Pantera CapitalRyan LaurinManaging Director at Marlin Equity PartnersPascal KroteePrincipal, Ph.D. at RiverVest Venture PartnersZack IsaacsonVenture Partner at Rackhouse Venture Management LpCameron BaharVenture Partner at Think+ Ventures Management, Llc
+ 114 more
Shared employers
Also worked at PayPal156
Peter ThielCo-founder & Partner at Founders FundReid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockRoelof BothaAdvisor & former Steward at Sequoia Capital; SpaceX board memberDavid SacksCo-founder & General Partner at Craft Ventures; former White House AI & Crypto CzarKeith RaboisManaging Director at Khosla VenturesJoe LonsdaleFounder & Managing Partner of 8VC; co-founder of Palantir and Addepar
+ 150 more
Also worked at Honey13
Joanne BradfordObvious Champion at Obvious VenturesJimmy ZhuSenior Principal at Blumberg CapitalJonathon TriestFounder and Managing Partner at Ludlow VenturesQuincey KleinOperations Analyst at Montage CapitalHenry ShiVenture Partner at Bold Capital PartnersEmily WhitePresident at Anthos Capital
+ 7 more












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