Fundraising Fox

Matt Hershenson

Investor

Founding Partner at Playground Global · Board director at Insamo

Bay Area

Writes $1M – $20M checks · typically $10M

About

Matt Hershenson is a Founding Partner at Playground Global, which he helped start in late 2014. He previously worked as a hardware engineer at Apple, co-founded Danger in 2000 (maker of the T-Mobile Sidekick, later acquired by Microsoft, where he became a Partner in Hardware Engineering), and served as Director of Hardware on Google's Android team, shipping multiple generations of phones, tablets, and streaming devices.

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHardwareRoboticsSemiconductors

Board director at Insamo

Intro paths

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In turn, Matt can intro founders to Insamo's investors below.

Insamo's investors · 6

Axial VCSan Francisco · $100K – $5M checksCivilization Ventures Management, LlcTiburon · $1M – $10M checksMRL Ventures FundCambridge · $25M checksPlayground GlobalPalo Alto · $1M – $20M checks · since 2023venBio Global StrategicSan Francisco · since 2023venBio PartnersSan Francisco

Co-founders at Insamo

TC
TIMOTHY CRAVENExecutive Officer, Director
TP
TOBY PASSIOURAExecutive Officer, Director

Experience

  1. InsamoBoard Membercurrent2023 — presentBerkeley, California, United States
  2. Outpace BioBoard Membercurrent2021 — presentSeattle, Washington, United States
  3. Playground GlobalCo-Foundercurrent2014 — presentPalo Alto CA
  4. RightHand Robotics, IncBoard Membercurrent2019 — presentSomerville, MA
  5. Ayar LabsBoard Membercurrent2018 — presentEmeryville, CA
  6. Inscopix, Inc.Board Member2020 — 2022Palo Alto, CA
  7. Sparta ScienceBoard Member2017 — 2022Menlo Park, CA
  8. SkydioBoard Member2017 — 2021Redwood City, CA
  9. GoogleDirector of Android Hardware2010 — 2014
  10. MicrosoftPartner, Hardware Engineering2008 — 2010Palo Alto
  11. DangerCo-Founder1999 — 2008Palo Alto
  12. Mainbrace CorporationHardware Engineer1998 — 1999
  13. Nxp Semiconductors (Erstwhile Philips Semiconductors)System Architect1997 — 1998Sunnyvale, California, United States
  14. Philips Mobile Computing GroupHardware Team Lead1996 — 1997Sunnyvale, California, United States
  15. Catapult EntertainmentHardware Engineer1994 — 1996Cupertino, California, United States

Investments

Board seats

InsamoInsamoOutpaceRightHand RoboticsVerticalsemi

Sources: the firm's website · SEC Form D filings.

Colleagues at Playground Global

Andy Rubin
Managing Partner at Playground Global
Angela Lin
Executive Assistant at Playground Global
Austin Yu
Investor at Playground Global
Benjamin Kim
Partner at Playground Global
Brian Burton
Investor at Playground Global
Bruce Leak
General Partner at Playground Global
Caroline Little
Director Government Affairs at Playground Global
Chika Nakasu
Executive Manager at Playground Global

Frequently asked questions

Who is Matt Hershenson?
Matt Hershenson is a Founding Partner at Playground Global, which he helped start in late 2014. He previously worked as a hardware engineer at Apple, co-founded Danger in 2000 (maker of the T-Mobile Sidekick, later acquired by Microsoft, where he became a Partner in Hardware Engineering), and served as Director of Hardware on Google's Android team, shipping multiple generations of phones, tablets, and streaming devices.
Where does Matt Hershenson work?
Matt Hershenson is Founding Partner at Playground Global and Board director at Insamo.
What does Matt Hershenson invest in?
Matt Hershenson invests in AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Deep Tech, Hardware, Robotics, Semiconductors.
What check size does Matt Hershenson write?
Matt Hershenson typically writes checks of $1M – $20M.
What boards does Matt Hershenson sit on?
Matt Hershenson holds tracked board seats at Insamo, Insamo, Outpace, RightHand Robotics, Verticalsemi.

Shared employers

Also worked at Insamo3

Jory BellGeneral Partner at Playground GlobalBenjamin KimPartner at Playground GlobalPeter DudekPresident at MRL Ventures Fund

Also worked at RightHand Robotics, Inc3

Amit LubovskyDirector, Americas at SoftBank Vision FundHyuk-Jeen SuhGeneral Partner at SkyRiver VenturesNatan LinderFounder at Tulip

Also worked at Sparta Science6

Julie Allegro MaplesFounder & General Partner at FYRFLY Venture PartnersMiles DorosinAnalyst at Westbound Equity PartnersAdam GoobicManaging Director at General Purpose Venture CapitalDan KistlerManaging Director at General Purpose Venture CapitalChristy LaneVenture Partner at IA Capital GroupJeff RosenManaging Partner at Broom Ventures

Also worked at Google1,715

Ron ConwayFounder of SV AngelElad GilSolo general partner investing through Gil CapitalKai-Fu LeeChairman of Sinovation Ventures and CEO of 01.AIBrian SingermanCo-founder of GPx; Partner Emeritus at Founders FundJess LeePartner and Chief Product Officer at Sequoia CapitalTomasz TunguzFounder & General Partner at Theory Ventures

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