Lars Rasmussen: From Theory PhD to Startup Land

Biography:
Lars Rasmussen is an angel investor and startup advisor based in Athens, Greece. Lars holds a Ph.D. in theoretical computer science from UC Berkeley in California. In 2004, Lars and his brother Jens sold their mapping startup Where 2 Tech to Google. Lars became the lead engineer on the team that created Google Maps from Where 2’s technology. Lars was next a director of engineering at Facebook in Menlo Park and London. His favorite investments include Canva, Astranis, Chiaro, Neara, and Protio. In his copious spare time, he enjoys boating the Greek Islands, kitesurfing, and coffee.

Abstract:
On this super flattering occasion I get to tell the story of my career since graduating in 1998 with a theory PhD: working at Mike Luby’s startup Digital Fountain; co-founding the startup that became Google Maps; the spectacular failure of Google Wave; seed investing in Australian Canva; and now mostly angel investing around the world from sunny Greece. Oh and Go Bears!

EECS Colloquium
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
310 Sutardja Dai Hall (Banatao Auditorium)
2 - 3p