Fundraising Fox

Michael Roberson

Founder

Founder at Semiotic

San Francisco, California, United States

FoundedSemiotic · YC

About

Michael Roberson studied computer science and cognitive science at Columbia before founding a design studio and serving in UX and brand design roles at Amazon and Landor respectively. He is currently CEO of Semiotic.

Founder at SemioticYC F25

Intro paths

YC

Michael went through Y Combinator (Fall 2025) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.

GP

Their group partner at YC was David Lieb, General Partner at Y Combinator — the partner who ran Semiotic's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗

→

In turn, Michael can intro founders to Semiotic's investors below.

Semiotic's investors · 2

Leonis CapitalSan FranciscoY CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2025

Co-founders at Semiotic

BGBryan Grisales
Bryan GrisalesFounder
BYBrandon Yao
Brandon YaoFounder

Experience

  1. Semiotic (YC F25)Co-Founder and CEOcurrent2025 — presentSan Francisco
  2. AmazonUX Design Intern2025Seattle
  3. flow.studioFounder & Creative Director2020 — 2024
  4. LandorBrand Design Intern2023New York

Frequently asked questions

Who is Michael Roberson?
Michael Roberson studied computer science and cognitive science at Columbia before founding a design studio and serving in UX and brand design roles at Amazon and Landor respectively. He is currently CEO of Semiotic.
Where does Michael Roberson work?
Michael Roberson is Founder of Semiotic.
What companies did Michael Roberson found?
Michael Roberson founded Semiotic.
Where did Michael Roberson go to school?
Michael Roberson studied at Columbia University (Cognitive Science, Computer Science); Y Combinator; Commonwealth 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

+ 8,766 more

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

+ 4,709 more

Columbia University mafia200

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Ben HorowitzBAFounded OpswareChris DixonBachelor of Arts - BAFounded HunchKai-Fu LeeA.B.Founded 01Robin ChanB.A.Founded Operator +2Kevin M. SlawinB.A.Founded Perseus SENOLYTIX +2Joey LevyBachelor of Arts (B.A.)Founded Draftpot +2

+ 193 more

Same school

Also attended Columbia University726

Ben HorowitzCo-founder & General Partner at Andreessen HorowitzDoug LeonePartner at Sequoia Capital; former Global Managing PartnerChris DixonFounder & Managing Partner of a16z crypto at Andreessen HorowitzKai-Fu LeeChairman of Sinovation Ventures and CEO of 01.AIGabriella GiglioHR & Executive Talent at General CatalystScott BillerInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)

+ 720 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

Also attended Commonwealth School2

Mark TowfiqVenture Partner at Copper Sky CapitalChing-Ping LinPartner & COO at Orbit Startups

Shared employers

Also worked at Semiotic (YC F25)2

Bryan GrisalesFounder at SemioticBrandon YaoFounder at Semiotic

Also worked at Amazon645

Apoorva MehtaFounder of Instacart; founder of Cloud Health SystemsBinny BansalCo-founder of Flipkart; co-founder of PhonePe and OppDoorBrad PorterFounder & CEO of Collaborative RoboticsJane MooneyCo-founder & VP, Strategy and Finance at Collaborative RoboticsNick FrosstCo-founder of CohereDave MunichielloInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)

+ 639 more

Also worked at Landor2

Freddie LuchterhandSpecialist Advisor, Brand Impact at Openspace VenturesEsha AgarwalCreative Associate at Spring Marketing Capital