About
Phil Brennan spent several years leading counterterrorism operations for the US government before joining Facebook in 2017, where he built out their community threat intelligence team. He later co-founded Cinder with Glen Wise, a former Facebook colleague.
Founder at CinderYC W22
Intro paths
YC
Phil went through Y Combinator (Winter 2022) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
GP
Their group partner at YC was Brad Flora, Backing expeditions into the future — the partner who ran Cinder's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
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In turn, Phil can intro founders to Cinder's investors below.
Cinder's investors · 3
Co-founders at Cinder
GW
Glen WiseFounder
Experience
- CinderCinder Agentcurrent2026 — presentThe internet
- CinderCo-Foundercurrent2022 — present
- FacebookSecurity Research2017 — 2022Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- US GovernmentTeam Lead2006 — 2017
- Office of the Secretary of DefenseIraq Country Director2011 — 2012
- Seeds of PeaceCounselor2002 — 2003Portland, Maine Metropolitan Area
Skills & more
Languages Arabic · French
From Phil's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Phil Brennan?
- Phil Brennan spent several years leading counterterrorism operations for the US government before joining Facebook in 2017, where he built out their community threat intelligence team. He later co-founded Cinder with Glen Wise, a former Facebook colleague.
- Where does Phil Brennan work?
- Phil Brennan is Founder of Cinder.
- What companies did Phil Brennan found?
- Phil Brennan founded Cinder.
- Where did Phil Brennan go to school?
- Phil Brennan studied at Y Combinator; Columbia | SIPA (Master’s Degree, International Relations and National Security Studies); Middlebury College (Summer Language Program, Arabic Language and Literature).
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
Middlebury College mafia16
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ian FolauMaster's DegreeFounded GitLinks +1Austin OgilvieFounded Yhat +1Steve RealeBachelor of ArtsFounded New retirementLara SetrakianArabic Language and LiteratureFounded News DeeplyKirby WinfieldBAFounded DwellableMike FarberBread Loaf Environmental Writer's ConferenceFounded Greenstory
+ 9 more
SOAS University of London mafia6
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
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 Columbia | SIPA49
MarioPartner at Hummingbird VenturesMarissa SterlingSenior Platform Associate at BURNT ISLAND VENTURESKatie ChoiInvestor at Chaac VenturesNick AlbaneseVP, Research & Strategy and Investment Associate at The Westly GroupRoy WiesnerPartner at aMoonNicholas JavaVenture Partner at Beyond Capital Ventures
+ 43 more
Also attended Middlebury College129
Parker HarrisCo-founder of SalesforceAlex FinkelsteinInvestor at Spark CapitalJeff DoranInvestor at Spark CapitalTrevor KienzleInvestor at Correlation VenturesUrvashi BarooahPartner at Redpoint VenturesEnzo WienerPrincipal at Redpoint Ventures
+ 123 more
Also attended The Key School1
Shared employers
Also worked at Cinder3
Also worked at Facebook535
Peter ThielCo-founder & Partner at Founders FundChamath PalihapitiyaFounder & CEO of Social CapitalJim BreyerFounder & CEO of Breyer CapitalDavid SzeAdvisory Partner at GreylockReed HastingsCo-founder of NetflixAndy FangCo-founder & CTO of DoorDash
+ 529 more
Also worked at Office of the Secretary of Defense14
Douglas Lemott Jr.Vice President, SAP National Security Services at Riphean InvestmentsYisroel BrumerFounding Partner; Co-Founder & CEO, DEFCON AI at Red Cell IncubationAnne PowersExecutive Assistant at Red Cell IncubationCaitlin ByrnesTalent at AudaciousEmil MichaelSenior Advisor at P1 VenturesHeidi GrantFormer Global Growth & Engagement Head at the Boeing Company, former Director Defense Security Cooperation Agency at NEW VISTA CAPITAL
+ 8 more
