Jim
InvestorFounder/General Partner at Maven Ventures Β· Board director at Vcognition Technologies
Palo Alto
About
Jim Scheinman is the founder and managing partner of Maven Ventures, a micro-VC fund and incubator in Palo Alto that backs consumer internet and mobile startups with hyper-growth potential. Before investing full time, he was a founder, executive, and angel investor with roles across Bebo (sold to AOL for $850M), Tango, NBCi, and Friendster. Through Maven he was an early investor in autonomous vehicle companies including Cruise and Embark, and his portfolio company Chariot was acquired by Ford Smart Mobility. He is a TED speaker and a frequent presenter and judge at startup events, and he holds a neuropsychology degree from Duke and a law degree from UC Davis.
ContactΒ· published on Jim's own website
Beyond investing
- Founded
- Founded Maven Ventures, a micro-VC fund and incubator in Palo Alto.
- Education
- Holds a BSc in Neuropsychology from Duke University. Earned a JD from the University of California, Davis School of Law.
- Awards
- Is a TED speaker and frequent presenter and judge at startup conferences and events.
- More
- Has achieved three 'Unicorn' ($1B+) exits or valuations over the past 20 years.
From Jim's own website β common ground for a warm intro.
Board director at Vcognition Technologies
Intro paths
In turn, Jim can intro founders to Vcognition Technologies's investors below.
Vcognition Technologies's investors Β· 3
Co-founders at Vcognition Technologies
Experience
- Zoom Video CommunicationsInvestor and Advisorcurrent2011 β presentPalo Alto
- Maven VenturesFounding Managing Partner2013 β 2024Palo Alto & SF
- Maven VenturesAngel Investor & Mentor Capitalist2008 β 2013
- Epic for KidsFirst investor and advisor2013 β 2021
- Embark TrucksInvestor and advisor2016 β 2021
- Cruise Automation, Inc.Board Observer & Investor2014 β 2016
- TangoInvestor & Advisor and formerly COO2011 β 2015
- Check Inc. (now Mint Bills)Investor & Advisor and formerly COO2009 β 2013Palo Alto
- KatangoInvestor and Advisor2011Palo Alto
- Social Gold/JamboolInvestor & Advisor2008 β 2010
- Charles River VenturesEntrepreneur in Residence2007 β 2008
- BeboHead of Business Development, Marketing and Sales (First Employee)2005 β 2007
- BirthdayalarmVice President, Business Development & Sales2005 β 2006
- FriendsterHead of Business & Corporate Development2003 β 2005
- AgileTVConsultant, Business Development & Marketing2001
- NBCi (NBC Internet)Senior Vice President, Business Development & Marketing1998 β 2001
- DLA Piper Rudnick Gray CaryAssociate, Attorney1995 β 1998
Skills & more
+12 more
Strategic PartnershipsProduct DevelopmentOnline AdvertisingNew Business DevelopmentCloud ComputingMarketingMobile DevicesStrategyOnline MarketingMergers & AcquisitionsMentoringLeadershipLanguages Hebrew
From Jim's professional profile.
Investments
Per the investor's own website.
Podcasts & interviews
featuring JimEmbark Self-Driving Semi Truck
Embark
Jim Scheinman TED Talk: The Amazing true story of Galen Clark, the "Father of Yosemite"
Jim Scheinman
Writing
All posts βJim writes about autonomous vehicles, including Maven Ventures' investments in Embark and Cruise and his predictions for self-driving cars, along with lessons from his early days at the social network Friendster.
The author reflects on being Friendster's fourth employee, referencing a Gimlet Media podcast about why the pioneering social network failed and the lessons he now applies at Maven Ventures.
The author describes Maven Ventures leading the seed round of Embark, a self-driving truck startup, and the market need and opportunity in the trucking industry.
Following a Web Summit debate, the author lists ten reasons he believes level 4 or 5 autonomous vehicles will become widespread within five to ten years.
Colleagues at Maven Ventures
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Network1
Investors connected to Jim in public investor directories β a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Jim?
- Jim Scheinman is the founder and managing partner of Maven Ventures, a micro-VC fund and incubator in Palo Alto that backs consumer internet and mobile startups with hyper-growth potential. Before investing full time, he was a founder, executive, and angel investor with roles across Bebo (sold to AOL for $850M), Tango, NBCi, and Friendster. Through Maven he was an early investor in autonomous vehicle companies including Cruise and Embark, and his portfolio company Chariot was acquired by Ford Smart Mobility. He is a TED speaker and a frequent presenter and judge at startup events, and he holds a neuropsychology degree from Duke and a law degree from UC Davis.
- Where does Jim work?
- Jim is Founder/General Partner at Maven Ventures and Board director at Vcognition Technologies.
- What companies has Jim invested in?
- Investments tracked here include Embark, Bebo, Chariot, Check, Cruise, Tango.
- Where did Jim go to school?
- Jim studied at Duke University (BS, Neuropsychobiology); UC Davis School of Law, King Hall (JD, Corporate Law).
- What awards has Jim received?
- Is a TED speaker and frequent presenter and judge at startup conferences and events.
- What has Jim written?
- Jim has 3 tracked posts on jimscheinman.com, including "Friendster: Lessons from a Missed $400B Opportunity", "How Self-Driving Startup Embark will Transform the Trucking Industry", "Web Summit Debate: 10 Reasons Self-Driving Cars Will Be Here Sooner Than You Think".
- What podcasts and interviews feature Jim?
- Tracked appearances include "Embark Self-Driving Semi Truck", "Jim Scheinman TED Talk: The Amazing true story of Galen Clark, the "Father of Yosemite"".
- Does Jim lead rounds?
- Yes β Jim has led 1 tracked investment.
Same school
Also attended Duke University522
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