Alumni Spotlight is pleased to announce The Top 100 Columbia Alumni in Technology of 2021. As the fifth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and whose alumni, faculty, and staff have included seven founding fathers of the United States and four U.S. presidents, Columbia has produced some of the most revered and accomplished leaders across the globe. With the advent of the technology industry in the mid 1900’s, Columbia was quick to adapt and in turn paved a way for the brightest minds to study and advance many specializations within computer science, biotechnology, energy and many other technical fields. In more recent years, alumni of Columbia have excelled in areas seeing some of the most rapid growth including financial technology, healthcare technology and venture capital.
Perhaps one of today’s most well-known venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, Ben Horowitz exemplifies excellence in the advancement of technology and true thought leadership on effective entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, other Columbia Alumni are having profound impact in various areas of financial technology – they lead companies such as Compass, Addepar, Betterment, Fundera and Albert, among many others. And in healthcare, companies like Kaia Health, Omada Health and Pear Therapeutics show us what’s possible in the years ahead when it comes to improving the lives of those facing unique physical challenges and ailments. It is our distinct honor to be able to recognize such an accomplished group of industry leaders. Please join us in celebrating the achievements of the Top 100 Columbia Alumni in Technology of 2021.
2. Ben Horowitz
Andreessen Horowitz
Ben Horowitz is the Co-Founder and General Partner of Andreessen Horowitz. Andreessen Horowitz is a stage-agnostic venture capital firm with assets under management across multiple funds. Horowitz has worked more than 22 years in the venture capital and private equity industry. He began his career in 1999.
Before joining Andreessen Horowitz he was a vice president and general manager at Hewlett-Packard, and before that the president and CEO at Opsware, Inc. Horowitz graduated from Columbia University in New York City with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
10. John Johnson
Harmony Labs
John Johnson is the Founder and Chair of Harmony Labs. Harmony Labs builds communities and tools to reform and transform media systems. Johnson has over 12 years in the research industry. He began his career in 2009. Before joining Harmony Labs, Johnson was a co-founder at Buzzfeeed and Johnson Research Labs, and before that a founder at the Pacific Foundation.
Johnson graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a Master's degree in research methodology and quantitative methods and from St. John's College with an undergraduate degree in philosophy and mathematics.
13. Kumar Saurabh
LogicHub
Kumar Saurabh is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LogicHub. LogicHub automates security analysts’ intelligence process to reduce breach detection time. Saurabh has over 22 years in the computer and network security industry. He began his career in 1999.
Before joining LogicHub, Saurabh was a co-founder and VP of engineering at Sumo Logic, and before that an algorithm and data architect at Mint.com. Earlier in his career he worked with Cadence India as a software engineer. Saurabh graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a Master of Science degree in computer science and from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
15. Zak Ringelstein
Zigazoo
Zak Ringelstein is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Zigazoo. He first joined the company in 2020. Zigazoo is the most trusted and fun social streaming app for kids. Zigazooers do video challenges by the world’s biggest kids’ brands and share them with friends. Previously, Ringelstein was the CEO and founder at UClass, and before that worked as a teacher at the International School of Tanganyika. Earlier in his career he worked with the United Nations as a researcher at the Millennium Villages Project.
Ringelstein earned a PhD in politics and education from Columbia University Teachers College, a Master's degree in education from Arizona State University, and an undergraduate degree in history and human rights from Columbia University in New York City.
21. Darrell Silver
Chegg, Inc.
Darrell Silver is the Vice President of Learning Services at Chegg, Inc. He first joined the company in 2019. Chegg is a student media learning platform offering services to universities and community colleges.
Previously, Silver was the CEO & co-founder of Thinkful, and before that the director of web archiving at Smarsh. Earlier in his career he worked with Clinton Group as the head of algorithmic trade execution and quantitative strategies. Silver earned an undergraduate degree in art history, criticism, and conservation from Columbia University.
25. Eric Poirier
Addepar
Eric Poirier is the Chief Executive Officer of Addepar. Addepar is a wealth management platform that specializes in data aggregation, analytics, and portfolio reporting for investment advisors. Poirier has over 17 years in the finance industry. He began his career in 2003.
Before joining Addepar, Poirier was a director at Palantir Technologies, and before that was a fixed income analyst at Lehman Brothers. Poirier graduated from Columbia University with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
26. Bharat Krish
TIME
Bharat Krish began his professional career over 23 years ago. Today, he is the Chief Technology Officer at TIME. TIME is a global media brand built on 98 years of unparalleled trust and authority, with an audience of more than 100 million people worldwide across their platforms.
Krish first got his start in 1998 as a software engineer in the diagnostic ultrasound group at GE Healthcare. From there, he went on to NBC Universal, before eventually rising to CTO at OTG Management, his most recent position prior to joining TIME.
Krish graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a Master’s degree in technology management, from Syracuse University with a Master of Science degree in computer engineering, and from Coimbatore Institute of Technology with an undergraduate degree in computer science and engineering.
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34. Julie Hansen
Babbel
Julie Hansen is the Chief Revenue Officer and U.S. Chief Executive Officer of Babbel. Babbel is the market-leading app for language learning. Hansen has over 32 years in the software industry. She began her career in 1989. Before joining Babbel, Hansen was the president and COO at Business Insider, and before that was SVP of interactive and GM of NCAA at CBS Interactive. Earlier in her career she worked with Workman Publishing as an editorial assistant.
Hansen graduated from Columbia University with a Master of Business Administration degree and from Yale University with an undergraduate degree in English.
38. Mehmet Akcin
EdgeUno
Mehmet Akcin began his professional career over 18 years ago. Today, he is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EdgeUno. EdgeUno is an internet datacenter and managed services provider in Latin America.
Akcin first got his start in 2003 as a principal network engineer at Universidad de Puerto Rico. From there, he went on to ICANN before eventually rising to senior director of global network infrastructure and services at Yahoo, his most recent position prior to joining EdgeUno.
Akcin graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a Master of Science degree and from Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus with an undergraduate degree in computer engineering.
39. Joey Levy
Simplebet
Joey Levy is the Co-Founder of Simplebet. He first joined the company in 2016. Simplebet is a B2B product development company using machine learning and automation to make every moment of every sporting event a betting opportunity.
Previously, Levy was the co-founder and CEO at Draftpot. Levy earned an undergraduate degree in history from Columbia University in New York City.
44. Alex Dickinson
ChromaCode, Inc.
Alex Dickinson is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of ChromaCode, Inc. He first joined the company in 2015. Previously, Dickinson was an SVP at Illumina, and before that a co-founder, CEO, and board member at Luxtera. Earlier in his career he worked with AT&T Bell Laboratories as a member of the technical staff.
Dickinson earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University’s Columbia Business School and a PhD and undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Adelaide.
50. Michael Amori
Virtualitics, Inc.
Michael Amori is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Virtualitics, Inc. He first joined the company in 2016. Virtualitics provides data visualization in virtual reality and augmented reality environments.
Previously, Amori was a managing director at Deutsche Bank, and before that was a director at Credit Suisse. Earlier in his career he worked at Caltech as a researcher. Amori earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree in physics from Columbia University in New York City.
51. Vishal Singh
Link3D
Vishal is Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Link3D, an additive manufacturing workflow, quality management and IoT platform designed to be the operating system for additive manufacturing organizations. His vision includes providing an end-to-end secure, connected ecosystem improving operational efficiency, creating a consistent and unified data model and enabling global, secure distributed manufacturing thereby enabling digital transformation for the customer base through the use of additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
Before joining Link3D, Singh was a co-founder at InnCreTech, and was CEO and CTO at Pintact. Earlier in his career he worked with Cisco Systems as a software development engineer. Singh graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a Master of Science degree and from the National Institute of Technology Warangal with an undergraduate degree in electronics and communications engineering.
53. Snehal Patel
MyDoc
Snehal Patel is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MyDoc. He first joined the company in 2012. MyDoc is a patient-centric digital healthcare platform that is simplifying the business of getting well and staying well.
Previously, Patel was an SVP at Clermont Holdings, and before that was an attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Patel earned a doctorate in law from Columbia University School of Law, a doctorate in medicine from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and an undergraduate degree in political science from Rice University.
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57. Ato Kasymov
Zentist
Ato Kasymov is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Zentist. Zentist is a dental insurance billing platform that delivers improved practice financial performance and patient affordability. Kasymov has over 13 years in the healthcare industry. He began his career in 2008.
Before joining Zentist, Kasymov was a deputy CEO at National Investment Corporation, and before that the head of corporate finance at Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna. Earlier in his career he worked with Renaissance Capital as an investment banking analyst.
Kasymov graduated from Columbia University’s Columbia Business School with a Master of Business Administration degree and from Baruch College with an undergraduate degree in finance and investment.
62. Omar Haroun
Text IQ
Omar Haroun is the Co-Founder of Text IQ. He first joined the company in 2014. Text IQ is a B2B artificial intelligence company with a reimagined approach to managing and mitigating risks derived from unstructured data.
Previously, Haroun was a managing partner at Oxford Digital Consulting Group, and before that was CRO at Greatist (acquired by Healthline). Earlier in his career he worked with INDEGO AFRICA on the New York regional board of directors.
Haroun earned a doctorate in law from Columbia University in New York City, a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University’s Columbia Business School, and an undergraduate degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from the University of Oxford.
65. Nicolas Borensztein
CrowdAI
Nicolas Borensztein is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of CrowdAI. He first joined the company in 2016. CrowdAI empowers organizations to create and deploy custom models for visual AI in a simple, code-free platform.
Previously, Borensztein was a VP of engineering at Adaptive Media, and before that worked as CEO at Ember. Earlier in his career he worked with AllianceBernstein as a technology associate in software development.
Borensztein earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics and computer science from Columbia University in New York City.
73. Chris Danzig
Interplay
Chris Danzig is the Venture Partner of Interplay. Interplay cofounds, incubates, and invests in companies. The firm is sector-, geo-, and stage-agnostic, focusing on disrupting industries using technology and design. Interplay is located in New York City with offices across the U.S., Philippines, and South America. Danzig has over 25 years in the venture capital industry. He began his career in 1996.
Before joining Interplay Danzig was a co-founder of QLabs Venture Studio at AOL Ventures, and before that was co-founder and product lead at Indaba Music. Earlier in his career he worked with Walt Disney Imagineering as an imagineer. Danzig graduated from Columbia University in New York City with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
75. John Pasmore
Yestime
John Pasmore is the Managing Partner at Yestime. He first joined the company in 2016. Yestime is building software that connects online platforms to offline experiences from shopping to venues and events.
Previously, Pasmore was the CEO at Trace USA, and before that served as CEO and board member at Voyage.tv. Earlier in his career he worked with Russell Simmons Oneworld as president. Pasmore earned an undergraduate degree in computer science from Columbia University in New York City.
82. Alan Meckler
Jupitermedia
Alan Meckler is the Chief Executive Officer of Jupitermedia. Jupitermedia produces tradeshows including Inside 3D Printing, RoboUniverse, and Virtual Reality Summit. Meckler has over 50 years in the media production industry. He began his career in 1971.
Before joining Jupitermedia, Meckler was the CEO of Mecklermedia. Meckler graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a PhD and an undergraduate degree in American history.
87. Amy Wang
Cogniac Corporation
Amy Wang is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Systems at Cogniac Corporation. Cogniac is building a one-of-a-kind human-centric computer vision platform and operating it as a cloud-scale service for every business that wants to optimize the state of their physical world. Wang has over 23 years in the software industry. She began her career in 1998.
Before joining Cogniac Corporation, Wang was senior manager of the AP software team, wireless system performance lead, and principal system engineer at Ruckus Wireless, and before that was VP of technology at Mela Networks. Earlier in her career she worked with Symbol Technologies as a principal system engineer. Wang graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a PhD in electrical engineering and from Tsinghua University with an undergraduate degree in automation.
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91. Derrik Deyhimi
Iconixx Software
Derrik Deyhimi began his professional career over 30 years ago. Today, he is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Iconixx Software. Iconixx Sales Performance Management automates incentive compensation, delivers accuracy and transparency, builds trust, and drives sales performance—while presenting a bright, visible picture of the future for every company and every person who is part of driving sales.
Deyhimi first got his start in 1991 as a senior analyst at Compaq Computer Corporation. From there, he went on to BSG Alliance before eventually rising to VP at Moxie Software, his most recent position prior to joining Iconixx Software.
Deyhimi graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a Master of Science degree in computer science, the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business with a Master of Business Administration and MIS in management, and the University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in mathematics and philosophy.
97. Andrew Cohen
Brainscape
Andrew Cohen began his professional career over 15 years ago. Today, he is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Brainscape. Brainscape is a web and mobile education platform that uses cognitive science to help people learn things faster.
Cohen first got his start in 2006 as an economic development specialist at the World Bank. From there, he went on to work with the United Nations before eventually rising to e-learning and management consultant at Satori Consulting, his most recent position prior to joining Brainscape. Cohen graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s degree in education and from the University of Georgia with an undergraduate degree in economics and finance.
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