JJ

Jake Jolis

Exploring new areas. Former founder & vc. Occasional startup helper

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

Education

Work Experience

2024

  • Founder

    2024

2017 - 2024

  • Partner

    2017 - 2024

    I invest in technology founders at the earliest possible time in their project's life. We always lead. 65+ of our companies have gone onto IPO.

2017 - 2017

  • Entrepreneur-in-Residence

    2017 - 2017

    New seed fund started by one of Verbling's investors. I led our investment in Applied Intuition (first round). Applied Intuition is currently valued at $6 billion.

2011 - 2017

  • CEO

    2013 - 2017

    Acquired by Busuu in 2020, so after my time. In 2021, $CHGG acquired Busuu (including Verbling) for $436m all-cash We built a video chat-based product in 2011, before they came into fashion. Product used by millions of consumers + created jobs for over 10,000 teachers. Raised $4.4M in venture capital from investors including Y Combinator, Sam Altman, and SV Angel. This was enough to become profitable. Still available today, 13 years later and counting, for 60 languages across iOS, Android, and web.

  • Cofounder

    2011 - 2017