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Laura Close

Founder

Founder at Included

Greater Seattle Area

FoundedIncluded

Find your path to Laura

221 people in our graph share verified history with Laura — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Doug KoobunlockedLaura: together at Starbucks (2011–2012)
×7Laura: together at University of Oregon
×4Laura: together at Starbucks

About

Laura Close is the founder and CEO of Close Cohen Career Consulting, LLC, an executive career consulting firm, and previously founded the AI startup Included, which was acquired by Phenom. She works in executive coaching, software design, and keynote speaking, and advises AI startups in the US and Europe. She has spoken at AWS re:Invent and participated in IBM's 2025 Agentic AI track at SXSW, and hosts the "HR Tech, What's Working?" LinkedIn Live podcast.

Founder at Included

Intro paths

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In turn, Laura can intro founders to Included's investors below.

Included's investors · 4

Ascend Venture CapitalSeattle · $250K – $750K checksFlying Fish VenturesSeattle · $500K – $5M checksSignalFireSan Francisco · $250K – $15M checksTrilogy Equity PartnersSeattle · $2M – $6M checks

Co-founders at Included

RG
RAGHURAM GOLLAMUDIExecutive Officer, Director
CGCHANDAN GOLLA
CHANDAN GOLLAExecutive Officer, Director

Experience

  1. Close Cohen Career Consulting, LLCFounder & CEOcurrent2013 — presentSeattle, WA
  2. ClarityLoopAdvisorcurrent2026 — presentEdinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
  3. Women Shaping AIMembercurrent2025 — present
  4. AI ComputerAdvisorcurrent2026 — presentSeattle, Washington, United States
  5. Harvard Business ReviewAdvisory Council Membercurrent2024 — presentSeattle, Washington, United States
  6. CareerspanAdvisor2025 — 2026Brooklyn, NY
  7. Included.AICo-Founder, AI for HR (Aquired by Phenom)2021 — 2026Redmond, Washington, United States
  8. Find VenturesAdvisory Board Member2020 — 2025Greater Seattle Area
  9. StarbucksCareer Consultant (Program Design, Speaker, Executive Coach)2011 — 2012Starbucks Corporate Campus, Seattle

Skills & more

Leadership38Strategic Planning11Critical Thinking16Public Speaking25Collaborative Problem Solving13Facilitation6Team ManagementManagementMicrosoft OfficeExecutive Development4Staff TrainingPitch Development2
+12 morePerformance ManagementLeadership DevelopmentEmployee EngagementDevelopment ProgramsHuman Resources (HR)Human Capital ManagementExecutive VisibilityAdult EducationStrategic ConsultingProgram ManagementE-LearningInstructional Design

Languages English · Spanish

From Laura's professional profile.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Laura Close?
Laura Close is the founder and CEO of Close Cohen Career Consulting, LLC, an executive career consulting firm, and previously founded the AI startup Included, which was acquired by Phenom. She works in executive coaching, software design, and keynote speaking, and advises AI startups in the US and Europe. She has spoken at AWS re:Invent and participated in IBM's 2025 Agentic AI track at SXSW, and hosts the "HR Tech, What's Working?" LinkedIn Live podcast.
Where does Laura Close work?
Laura Close is Founder of Included.
What companies did Laura Close found?
Laura Close founded Included.
Where did Laura Close go to school?
Laura Close studied at University of Oregon (Bachelor of Arts Economic Development).

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