Rob McGinnis
FounderFounder/CEO at Prometheus
Santa Cruz, California, United States
FoundedPrometheus · YC
About
Rob McGinnis founded Prometheus, which produces synthetic fuels from captured CO2 using renewable energy. He previously launched venture-backed companies in desalination and nanotechnology, holds over 20 patents, and completed a PhD in Environmental Engineering from Yale.
Likely email· guessed from name + firm domain, not firm-published
- r•••@prometheusfuels.comreveal75% confident
Founder/CEO at PrometheusYC W19
Intro paths
YC
Rob went through Y Combinator (Winter 2019) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
GP
Their group partner at YC was Jared Friedman, YC Group Partner — the partner who ran Prometheus's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
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In turn, Rob can intro founders to Prometheus's investors below.
Prometheus's investors · 10
ARCH Venture PartnersChicago · $50K – $250M checks · since 2026BlackRockNew York · since 2026BMW i VenturesMountain View · $10M checks · since 2020DST GlobalGeorge Town, Grand Cayman · $100K – $200M checks · since 2026Emles Venture PartnersNew York · since 2020ExpaWest Hollywood · $250K – $3M checks · since 2020Goldman SachsNew York · since 2026Maersk Growth$1M – $50M checks · since 2020MetaplanetTallinn · $500K – $10M checks · since 2020Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2019
Experience
- PrometheusFounder, CEOcurrent2018 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- World Economic ForumGlobal Innovatorcurrent2022 — presentDavos, Graubünden, Switzerland
- MattershiftFounder, CEOcurrent2013 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- Oasys WaterFounder, CTO2008 — 2012Greater Boston Area
Skills & more
Water37Water Treatment24R&D30Engineering18Forward Osmosis1Reverse Osmosis4Membrane DistillationPressure Retarded OsmosisEntrepreneurship5Distillation2Chemical Process ModelingAspen Plus
+12 more
Aspen HYSYSEnergy SystemsMembraneEnergyProcess SimulationWastewater TreatmentProcess EngineeringDesalinationChemical EngineeringStart-upsRenewable EnergyCleantechLanguages Spanish
From Rob's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Rob McGinnis?
- Rob McGinnis founded Prometheus, which produces synthetic fuels from captured CO2 using renewable energy. He previously launched venture-backed companies in desalination and nanotechnology, holds over 20 patents, and completed a PhD in Environmental Engineering from Yale.
- Where does Rob McGinnis work?
- Rob McGinnis is Founder/CEO of Prometheus.
- What companies did Rob McGinnis found?
- Rob McGinnis founded Prometheus.
- Where did Rob McGinnis go to school?
- Rob McGinnis studied at Y Combinator; Yale University (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Environmental Engineering); Yale University (Bachelor of Arts (BA), Theater).
Founder mafias
Y Combinator mafia8,773
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
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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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Yale University mafia190
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Michael SeibelBAFounded SocialCamBen SilbermannB.A.Founded Audiobeta +2Justin KanPhysics and PhilosophyFounded Stash +6Kevin RyanBAFounded Business Insider +2Harry GrunerFounded Hilos +2Emmett ShearBSFounded Softmax +2
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Same school
Also attended Y Combinator2,000
Tarek MansourCo-founder & CEO of KalshiSuhail DoshiFounder of Mixpanel; founder of ParticleSubomi OluwalanaCo-founder & CEO of ConvoyArhaan A.Deeptech Fellow at Clear VenturesMaroof AhmedFounder at Octopus VenturesJustin SwartPartner at Bitkraft Esports Ventures
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Also attended Yale University799
Ann Miura-KoCo-founding Partner at FloodgateDavid SzeAdvisory Partner at GreylockMichael SeibelPartner Emeritus at Y CombinatorBen SilbermannCo-founder of PinterestAnthony PhilippakisInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Karthik ArdhanareeswaranInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)
+ 793 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Prometheus1
Also worked at World Economic Forum213
Tom HulmeInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)David FrankelSeed Stage Venture Capital in the United StatesLaura BockPartner at QED InvestorsZachary BogueCo-Founder and Managing Partner at DCVC (Data Collective)Nathaniel HardingManaging Partner at Cortado VenturesMike MoradiGeneral Partner at Cortado Ventures
+ 207 more
