Jeff Abbott
Founder of AI Salon
Jeff Abbott
Founder of AI Salon
San Francisco, California
Overview
Work Experience
Founding Partner
2018 - Current
Blitzscaling Ventures helps rapidly growing companies in winner-take-most markets become global leaders by providing in-depth scaling advice and capital. We invest in early-stage AI deals at the intersection of Blitzscaling and AI, and emerging blitzscalers at the growth stage. The firm is led by experienced venture investors and co-managed by Chris Yeh, Reid Hoffman's co-author for the book Blitzscaling. Reid Hoffman serves as the fund's special advisor.
Co-Founder and Chief Organizer
2023
Ai Salon is the global community bringing together AI founders and builders, investors and partners to connect and collaborate. A decentralized chapter-based organization forming chapters and hosting monthly events in top global startup ecosystems. Chapters are forming around the world now. DM to explore partnership.
Co-Founder & CEO
2017
Blitzscaling Academy supports ambitious founders and innovators in organizations of any size to learn and apply the blitzscaling framework to building a personalized blitzscaling playbook for their business.
Professor of Practice
2022
Instructor for Global Venture Formation in the 100 Million Learner's Initiative and Open Enrollment Programs.
Investment Committee, Qatar Technology Venture Fund
2019
Advisor and ex-officio member of the investment committee of the $50m Qatar Technology Venture Fund which invests in early-stage startups originating in, or with strategic relevance to, the Qatari ecosystem and broader MENA region.
General Partner
2015 - 2017
Early-stage venture builder and investment firm. Developed and ran technology commercialization programs with United States Air Force Research Labs (AFRL), US Navy SPAWAR SSC, US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center at Natick, Qatar Science and Technology Park, and other partners to turn valuable lab IP into startups with commercial potential. Numerous companies went on to raise venture funding. This business evolved into Blitzscaling Academy.
Director, Acceleration Programs & Services
2014 - 2015
I led Acceleration Services for ASU's Entrepreneurship + Innovation Group. This included developing programs, curriculum and mentorship services across 5 distinct acceleration programs serving over 120 student, faculty and alumni led ventures and a mentor corps with over 600 members. Among the programs I oversaw were the prestigious ASU Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative, the "Furnace" DOD Technology Transfer Accelerator, and redesign and launch of the ASU Startup School curriculum as a free online offering to broaden reach and increase access and inclusivity. Programs such as these have been core to the university's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration has contributed to its expansion and reputation as an entrepreneurial institution ranked #1 in Innovation in the US for many consecutive years.
Vice President of Business Development
2012 - 2013
Armed with nothing more than a laptop and a phone, launched a b2b sales initiative and sought to validate product market fit of new offerings at this PE-backed company that is part of the portfolio of Outlier Capital. Recruited national sales team, developed sales processes and implemented CRM. Grew pipeline from zero to over $20M.
Marketing Leader
2011 - 2012
Worked with the founders and early-stage team of this venture backed startup on revenue model development, partnerships and business development, and achieving product-market fit.
Founder and CEO
2008 - 2012
Founded and grew Arizona's first Hubspot certified partner inbound marketing bringing Web 2.0 services to businesses of all sizes.