Fundraising Fox

Simon Willison

Founder

Founder/CEO at Lanyrd

San Francisco, California, United States

FoundedLanyrd · YC

About

Simon Willison co-created Django and built Datasette. He co-founded Lanyrd, a Y Combinator W2011 company.

LinkedIn ↗X / Twitter ↗
Latest on 𝕏

Simon Willison @simonw

"Honolulu’s airport has started playing 17 island-themed, AI-generated songs on rotation, according to state transportation spokeswoman Shelly Kunishige." ! https://t.co/6SDfXhDeLH https://t.co/8ClhifGmMT

Aug 2, 2026 · ♥ 98 · ⇄ 3

Simon Willison @simonw

First time I've noticed this: I was eating outside at a Hawaiian restaurant and they had music piping into the courtyard - generic songs about being at the beach A little TOO generic... it turned out Shazam could identify none of then Slop.

Aug 2, 2026 · ♥ 551 · ⇄ 13

Simon Willison @simonw

Here's my attempt at summarizing the various "open letters" about AI development that have been doing the rounds over the past few weeks https://t.co/VXA7OMIAgJ

Aug 2, 2026 · ♥ 107 · ⇄ 15

Founder/CEO at LanyrdYC W11

Intro paths

YC

Simon went through Y Combinator (Winter 2011) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.

→

In turn, Simon can intro founders to Lanyrd's investors below.

Lanyrd's investors · 2

PROfounders CapitalY Combinator

Experience

  1. DatasetteOpen Source Developercurrent2017 — present
  2. Simon Willison's WeblogBloggercurrent2002 — present
  3. John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships at StanfordJSK Fellow2019 — 2020Stanford, California, United States
  4. EventbriteDirector of Architecture2013 — 2019
  5. LanyrdCo-founder and CEO2010 — 2013
  6. Guardian News and MediaTechnical Architect2008 — 2010
  7. GCap MediaConsultant2007 — 2008
  8. Self employedFreelance / Consultant2007 — 2008
  9. Yahoo!Technologist2005 — 2007
  10. Web Standards ProjectMember2003 — 2007
  11. SitePointColumnist2003 — 2005
  12. The World CompanyWeb Developer2003 — 2004
  13. Incutio LtdWeb Developer (Part Time)2001 — 2003
  14. Gameplay Plc.Web Editor2000 — 2001

Education

  1. University of BathBSc, Computer Science2001 — 2005

Skills & more

Web Standards5Server Side Programming1Crowdsourcing1User Experience8Web Development30Accessibility1Social Media3Django13JavaScript31Python11CMS6CSS11

From Simon's professional profile.

Founder mafias

Y Combinator mafia8,668

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Sam AltmanPresidentFounded LooptFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded CoinbaseMatt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded HotspotsTrae StephensYC Winter 2022Founded PursuitDelian AsparouhovYC Summer 2014Founded Nightingale +1Justin KanYC Winter 2018Founded Rye +3

+ 8,661 more

University of Bath mafia14

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Paul HetheringtonIntegrated Mechanical & Electrical Engineering (MEng)Founded Hlabs +1Jonathan MilnerBA Hons in Applied BiologyFounded Bit BioCam KavanaghBSc EconomicsFounded GrowthkitchenIain DukesBScFounded ViriomChris MolozianAdvanced Computer Systems: Software SystemsFounded Heroic LabsDaniel CampionMScFounded Sitenna

+ 7 more

Same school

Also attended University of Bath96

JohanInvestor at InvestinorMaddie CoughlinInvestor at DN CapitalCarlos ContiManaging Partner at Inveready Technology Investment GroupBen PalmerInvestment Professional at OxxJuliette PetitChief of Staff at Keen Venture PartnersSarah HollyheadDirector at Marlin Equity Partners

+ 90 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Lanyrd1

Ben FirshmanFounder at Replicate

Also worked at Guardian News and Media10

Alan HudsonInvestor at Mercuri.vcBrent HobermanExecutive Chairman, Founder at Founders FactoryJonathan VinerExpert advisor at VÅR VenturesAlan HudsonInvestor at GMG VenturesDaphne KisDirector, WorldQuant University at Mindshift CapitalIan McClellandVenture Partner at Ascension

+ 4 more

Also worked at GCap Media3

Jess McCartenCOO & Head of Programs at Sie VenturesPeter DelahuntyFounder at ShoptiquesBen FirshmanFounder at Replicate

Also worked at Yahoo!284

Jess LeePartner and Chief Product Officer at Sequoia CapitalMike SpeiserManaging Director at Sutter Hill VenturesFrédérique DameInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Marcie VuPartner at GreycroftIsabelle PhelpsPartner at Lerer HippeauPaul LevineOperating Partner at Sapphire Ventures

+ 278 more