Ann Lai

Managing Partner

2023 - Current

General Partner

2020 - 2023

We focus on post-seed investing across all categories, looking for early stage companies that have found that product market fit but, for whatever reason, may be overlooked by the industry. Post-investment, our team works closely and tactically with companies through this critical stage to acclerate operating performance by providing on-the-ground operating expertise across product, operations, analytics, marketing, etc.

Advisor

2016 - 2020

Advised 30+ companies from Series Seed through Series C (current value $2.4B+) on growth, product optimization, pricing models, data science best practices, KPI (re)definitions, business streamlining, and fundraising. Focused on working with companies to leverage "data-informed" decision making to deliver impact -- rather than applying data science for the sake of having "data science" and on facilitating collaborations between traditionally non-quantitative teams and BI/data science teams to generate the best business outcomes.

Principal

2015 - 2016

Binary capital focuses on investing in early stage, consumer-facing technology companies. Responsible for data-driven sourcing, executing due diligence, and supporting/advising portfolio companies on data analytics and growth initiatives.

Head of Strategic Growth

2014 - 2014

Led a team leveraging data analytics as well as rapid-iteration testing to develop key strategies across StyleSeat in its accelerating growth as the preeminent marketplace for beauty and wellness. The team (6 members, including metro launch teams) tackled topics focused on consumer growth, including: - SEO - marketplace health assessment - propensity/affinity matching - monetization strategy testing - metro launches in Atlanta & Chicago (supply-side balance & demand-side growth)

Director of Growth

2013 - 2014

Led a core team (7 members) focused on developing and executing strategies to grow Tapingo in the campus market by using data to focus and optimize marketing and operational strategies. Key functions of the team include: - Strategic Analytics: Determined and tracked KPIs for internal and external audiences; Designed data-driven strategies for viral consumer growth; Provided prioritization & guidance for sales; Provided BI insights for campuses; Tested various in-app promotional & gamification elements. - Campus Liaison Management: Coordinated & executed campus launches/deployments; Maintained healthy and happy campus relationships through conveying our performance via KPIs; Expanded our merchant foodprint on campus. - Advertising & Marketing: Executed display ad/email/social media campaigns; Coordinated traditional marketing & print efforts (B2B & B2C); Created sales pitch decks & accompanying collateral; Managed all on-campus promotional efforts including a team of student interns serving as campus coordinators Successfully demonstrated viral adoption at major universities across the US, achieving engagement at mature campuses of 40%-50% of the student body as WAUs (Weekly Active Users), ordering 3-4 times/week on Tapingo.

Senior Business Analyst, Business Intelligence

2012 - 2013

Led a small team focused on providing ad hoc support and strategic analytics to all international territories as well as to the central finance, eSports, player behavior, and community teams Drove key strategies around major initiatives such as launch plans for new international territories, changes in monetization plans in Asian territories, evaluation of the international impact of major game feature changes, etc. Aided the re-imaging of business intelligence from a traditional ad hoc service to a proactive contributor in strategic decision-making

Senior Researcher, Research & Development, Investment Research

2011 - 2012

Developed adaptive, systematic equity research models by integrating large proprietary data panels with fundamental research through mathematical/statistical modeling Generated/initiated coverage for 40+ publicly traded companies across 6 existing sector and 2 new sectors within the first 9 months Recognized as a top performer with leadership potential as 1 of 12 individuals selected globally to participate in the 2012 ITG Edge Leadership Program

AVP, Analytics

2010 - 2011

Developed and managed the employee analytics sector of Analytics, focusing on quantitatively investigating employee behavior, hiring criteria, compensation structure, etc., in a cooperative effort with HR and Compliance Re-examined existing strategic technologies (e.g., dialer algorithms) via mathematical models to stabilize and maximize efficiency Selected as a participant in the CEO’s initiative to create a spin-off technology startup (<50-member special team); created pitch presentations

Business Development Manager

2007 - 2009

Spearheaded the reinvention of a SAT I/SAT II tutoring program geared toward international, ESL students for an Korea-based test preparation company to develop a more competitive stance within a highly saturated market Designed the curriculum complete with original teaching materials and adaptive testing technology (to gauge the performance of both students and tutors) to complement a new strategy for hiring and compensating tutors