Kartik R.

Kartik R. is an accomplished technology leader with extensive experience in engineering, product management, and venture capital. Currently serving as the Head of Engineering at Ava, an AI startup focused on enhancing live captioning for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, Kartik also holds roles as a Venture Partner at NextGen Venture Partners and Mentor at First Round Capital, providing guidance to early-stage AI/ML startups. Previously, Kartik served as Director of Engineering at Paypal/Honey, where efforts included improving personalized shopping experiences for millions of users. With a rich background that includes engineering management positions at Castlight Health, KAYAK, Apple, and American Express, Kartik has demonstrated expertise in scaling technology solutions and leading diverse teams. Academic credentials include an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's in Computer Science from the University of Illinois.