Ali Partovi, an otherwise relatively unsung character in Silicon Valley, is changing that dramatically with his venture firm, Neo. Founded nearly eight years ago, Neo’s mission is to change how extraordinary talent – deep thinkers, creative doers, innovative makers – is found, developed, and utilized. While Partovi is perhaps not a household name, his impact on the tech ecosystem is far-reaching. Every day, he uses his unique role to fundamentally reinvent how new companies are created and grow.
Ali Partovi’s journey began with this in 2017. He was a first year student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) then. His participation in those formative years, as a young adult, set the stage for much of what he’s since pursued, especially with Neo. Partovi and his brother, Hadi, often hosted tech interviews for budding entrepreneurs. In short, they did an imitation of the intense and arcane hiring processes employed by tech behemoths such as Google. This applied learning approach gave them key information on how to look for up-and-coming talent.
Neo’s dedication to artistic excellence is reflected in its highly competitive, selective nationwide application process. So much so that applications to the firm’s programs have doubled each year, a sure sign of their excellence. Partovi has always been devoted to keeping just a little more selectivity than scale, because he cares about quality first and foremost.
In 2022, Partovi opened up new possibilities with Neo by introducing a traditional accelerator program. This initiative provides funding and mentorship to 20 companies annually, ensuring that emerging entrepreneurs receive the support they need to succeed. Partovi’s approach emphasizes four key qualities he believes are essential for founders: technical ability, a willingness to challenge the status quo, a focus on serving others, and what he refers to as “magnetism.”
And this is just the most recent of her investment strategies which have already paid out big dividends. His first fund has experienced a huge boom in value, having grown three to four times since its inception. There’s definitely room for improvement! “This year, for the first time, I can conclusively say that we are discovering the future superstars before anyone else,” he stated, reflecting on Neo’s success in identifying groundbreaking talent.
One particularly harsh and memorable example of this talent discovery was a coding test administered to the entrepreneur Truell. The test was finished in under 15 minutes, a testament to the work readiness and talent of people getting into Neo’s programs. Partovi believes that “computer science really helps. It just helps you think,” underscoring the importance of technical knowledge in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Neo’s impact goes far beyond financial support — it embodies a 360-degree approach to entrepreneurship. Partovi often advises aspiring founders to “not obsess about making money and obsess more about serving other humans.” This philosophy is at the heart of Neo’s culture and mentorship practices.
Partovi’s other entrepreneurial pursuits, both as an investor and as an educator, have fueled his tremendous expertise of the startup world. He is the co-founder of iLike, a social music discovery platform which was acquired by CODA. In 2009, MySpace purchased it for a rumored $20 million. He co-founded Code.org with his brother Hadi. This national, nonprofit initiative seeks to expand access to high-quality computer science education throughout the United States.
Growth on the second fund at Neo has already been impressive – nearly doubling in size from placements like Anysphere alone. That trend speaks to Partovi’s smart predictive vision and clear talent to spot big money-making opportunities at the intersection of education and tech.
Partovi’s distinctive approach to talent discovery is the other product of his experiences, both as a tech entrepreneur and education reformer. He encourages budding entrepreneurs to “take a bit more risk, going outside their comfort zone,” pushing them to aim higher and challenge their limits. These lessons offer huge competitive advantages to the startups he invests in. More importantly, they help create a culture of innovation in the greater tech ecosystem.
