Joseph Besgen
FounderCo-Founder at Paper Instruments
San Francisco, California, United States
FoundedPaper Instruments · YC
About
Joseph Besgen is co-founder of Paper Instruments, which develops AI models and tools for knowledge work in professional services and white-collar domains.
Co-Founder at Paper InstrumentsYC X25
Intro paths
YC
Joseph went through Y Combinator (Spring 2025) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
GP
Their group partner at YC was Diana Hu, General Partner at Y Combinator — the partner who ran Paper Instruments's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
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In turn, Joseph can intro founders to Paper Instruments's investors below.
Paper Instruments's investors · 1
Co-founders at Paper Instruments
DK
Daanish KhaziCo-Founder
GB
Gavin BainsCo-Founder
Experience
- Paper InstrumentsCo-Foundercurrent2025 — present
- TrabaSenior Software Engineer2023 — 2025New York, New York, United States
- Career BreakTravel2022 — 2023
- FacebookSoftware Engineer2020 — 2022Menlo Park, California, United States
- Resource 19Co-Founder, Technical Lead2020Berkeley, California, United States
- Associated Students of the University of CaliforniaSenator2019 — 2020Berkeley, CA
- FacebookSoftware Engineer Intern2019Menlo Park, CA
- hummFrontend Developer2018
- DRWSoftware Engineer Intern2018Greater Chicago Area
- QuantgeneBioinformatics and Data Science Intern2018Berkeley, California
- Northrop GrummanAerospace Intern2017San Diego County, California, United States
Skills & more
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)103D Printing10Rapid Prototyping13Laser Cutting10Music12Percussion Performance9Data Science2Human Centered Design3Go (Programming Language)Leadership27Interpersonal Skills8Design Thinking3
+7 more
JavaPythonSolidWorksAutodesk Fusion 360Final Cut ProCPython (Programming Language)- RYA Coastal Skipper — Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
- RYA Day Skipper — Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
From Joseph's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Joseph Besgen?
- Joseph Besgen is co-founder of Paper Instruments, which develops AI models and tools for knowledge work in professional services and white-collar domains.
- Where does Joseph Besgen work?
- Joseph Besgen is Co-Founder of Paper Instruments.
- What companies did Joseph Besgen found?
- Joseph Besgen founded Paper Instruments.
- Where did Joseph Besgen go to school?
- Joseph Besgen studied at University of California, Berkeley (B.S. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering Minor); University of California, Davis; Westview High School.
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
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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
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University of California, Berkeley mafia538
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Steve WozniakBSFounded AppleTony XuB.S.Founded DoorDashAravind SrinivasDoctor of Philosophy - PhDFounded PerplexityAli GhodsiPost-docFounded DatabricksRyan PetersenBAFounded FlexportDavid FriedbergBAFounded Climate +2
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Same school
Also attended University of California, Berkeley1,452
Byron DeeterPartner at Bessemer Venture PartnersSteve WozniakCo-founder of AppleTony XuCo-founder & CEO of DoorDashAravind SrinivasCo-founder & CEO of Perplexity AIAli GhodsiCo-founder & CEO of DatabricksRyan PetersenFounder & CEO of Flexport
+ 1,446 more
Also attended University of California, Davis154
Charles CallSLP & Venture Partner at Cottonwood Technology FundDavid PhuController at Felicis VenturesBryan EglanDirector of Business Development at Menlo VenturesScott MaxwellInvestor at OpenView Venture PartnersMasoud AdinaHead of Compliance at GreycroftCraig MuirInvestor at Third Rock Ventures
+ 148 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 Paper Instruments3
Also worked at Associated Students of the University of California8
Natan ReddyPrincipal at Ironspring VentureCourtney ChowVice President at Battery VenturesJonathan AllenManaging Partner at Dekrypt CapitalGrace LeeFellow at LifeX VenturesSahana RajasekarFounder at BlokSadia SaifuddinFounder at Risely AI
+ 2 more
