Shanaz Hemmati
Unicorn founderFounder at Zenbusiness · Co-founder at Ureeka
Austin, Texas, United States
FoundedZenbusiness$1.7BUreeka
Find your path to Shanaz
134 people in our graph share verified history with Shanaz — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Serena YangunlockedShanaz: together at Capital Factory (2025–2026)
×9Shanaz: together at Capital Factory
Shanaz: together at Excite.com
Shanaz: together at I2 Technologies (formerly SMART Technologies)
About
Shanaz Hemmati is Co-Founder and Executive Advisor at ZenBusiness, a venture-backed platform for entrepreneurs, where she previously served as Chief Operating Officer. She earlier held roles at HomeAway, which was acquired by Expedia, and holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UT Austin. She also serves as a board member and advisor to early-stage startups, focusing on strategy, fundraising, finance, operations, and technology.
Co-founder at Ureeka
Intro paths
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In turn, Shanaz can intro founders to Ureeka's investors below.
Ureeka's investors · 4
Co-founders at Ureeka
DJ
David JakubowskiExecutive Officer, Director
MB
Melissa BradleyDirector
RG
Robert GattoExecutive Officer
RB
Ross BuhrdorfCEO & Co-Founder
Founder at Zenbusiness
Intro paths
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In turn, Shanaz can intro founders to Zenbusiness's investors below.
Zenbusiness's investors · 19
Amplify.LALos Angeles · $500K – $5M checks · since 2020ATX Venture PartnersAustin · $250K – $5M checksBreyer CapitalAustin · $500K – $10M checksCathay InnovationParis · $5M – $40M checks · since 2022Cleveland AvenueChicago · $1M – $10M checksFlucas VenturesJupiter · $100K – $5M checksFluent VenturesMill Valley · $250K – $2M checksGeekdomSan Antonio · $50K – $500K checksGreatPoint VenturesSan Francisco · $250K – $20M checksGreycroftNew York · $100K – $5M checks · since 2021Gutbrain VenturesBostonInterlock PartnersDallas · $1M – $5M checksLerer HippeauNew York · $500K – $2M checksmark vcAustinOak HC/FTStamford · since 2022Omega Venture PartnersSilicon ValleyPTB VenturesNew YorkRosecliff VenturesNew York City · $500K checksSoftBank Vision FundLondon
Co-founders at Zenbusiness
RB
Experience
- ZenBusinessCo-Founder & Executive Advisor (previously: Chief Operating Officer)current2017 — presentAustin, Texas Area
- Graphio.aiInvestor and Advisorcurrent2025 — present
- CandosaBoard Observercurrent2024 — present
- Capital FactoryMentorcurrent2019 — presentAustin, Texas Metropolitan Area
- GolightlyBusiness Advisor2018 — 2020
- HomeAway.com (acquired by Expedia)Global VP, Information Systems2006 — 2016Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
- SurgientDatabase architect2005 — 2006
- SalionOracle DBA2000 — 2005
- Excite.comOracle DBA1999 — 2000Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
- I2 Technologies (formerly SMART Technologies)Oracle DBA1997 — 1999Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
- Texas Rehabilitation CommissionSenior Project Manager1989 — 1997Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
Skills & more
Compensation & Benefits3Financial Management2Acquisition Integration2Organizational CultureInformation TechnologyHuman Resources (HR)Board RelationsP&L ManagementPlanning Budgeting & ForecastingCorporate StrategyFundraisingOperational Efficiency
+12 more
Budget ManagementCompensation ManagementCustomer SatisfactionDiversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)Organizational StructureData IntegrationBusiness SystemsSoftware DevelopmentDiversity & InclusionCollaborative Problem SolvingManagementDatabasesLanguages English · Farsi
From Shanaz's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Shanaz Hemmati?
- Shanaz Hemmati is Co-Founder and Executive Advisor at ZenBusiness, a venture-backed platform for entrepreneurs, where she previously served as Chief Operating Officer. She earlier held roles at HomeAway, which was acquired by Expedia, and holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UT Austin. She also serves as a board member and advisor to early-stage startups, focusing on strategy, fundraising, finance, operations, and technology.
- Where does Shanaz Hemmati work?
- Shanaz Hemmati is Founder of Zenbusiness and Co-founder at Ureeka.
- What companies did Shanaz Hemmati found?
- Shanaz Hemmati founded Zenbusiness, Ureeka.
- Where did Shanaz Hemmati go to school?
- Shanaz Hemmati studied at The University of Texas at Austin (B.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering).
Founder mafias
The University of Texas at Austin mafia318
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Michael DellFounded Force10Philip KrimMinorFounded Electron X +2Michael GortonPhysics & Engineering w minor in EnglishFounded Principal Solar +2Mike McNeilComputer ScienceFounded Fleet Device Management Inc. +2Michael RoyzenBachelor of Science - BSFounded Smartlens +2Amar SawhneyM.S. and PhDFounded Access Closure +2
+ 311 more
Capital Factory mafia22
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ben LammPartner & Board MemberFounded Breaking +3Joah SpearmanStartup Mentor on Communications, Community & FundraisingFounded SXSW +2Andrew BuseyCo-founder / Partner / MentorFounded Hypergiant +2Steve SemelsbergerInvestorFounded YouEarnedIt +1Matt AllisonMentor & LPFounded Trendkite +1Ross BuhrdorfPartner / Mentor / InvestorFounded Ureeka +1
+ 15 more
Zenbusiness mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Ureeka mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended The University of Texas at Austin893
Michael DellFounder & CEO of Dell TechnologiesViswa SankaranarayananVenture Partner at Monta Vista CapitalTodd KleinManaging Partner, Revolution Growth at RevolutionSapna MehtaInvestor at RevolutionAnish AggarwalInvestor at LightbankAndrew ScottSenior Finance Manager at Greycroft
+ 887 more
Shared employers
Also worked at ZenBusiness9
Matt StreisfeldGeneral Partner at Oak HC/FTChris ShonkPartner and Co-Founder at ATX Venture PartnersJeff WilliamsManaging Partner at Interlock PartnersSimon WuPartner at Cathay InnovationMikeVenture Advisor at Ranch VenturesPaul BricaultAdvisor at Canyon Creek Capital
+ 3 more
