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Ben Rubin

CEO & Co-Founder at Here Not There

Ben Rubin is a prominent entrepreneur based in New York, known for his role as the CEO and Co-Founder of Here Not There Labs, a company focused on developing decentralized communication tools. He has a notable history in the tech industry, having previously co-founded the viral livestreaming app Meerkat and the group video chat platform Houseparty, which was acquired by Epic Games in 2019.135

Education and Early Career

Rubin studied architecture at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from 2009 to 2014. However, he transitioned from architecture to technology, founding his first company, Life on Air, shortly after leaving school. This venture primarily focused on live streaming products, leading to the creation of Meerkat, which gained significant attention during its launch.123

Professional Experience

  • Here Not There Labs (April 2020 - Present): As CEO, Rubin leads the development of innovative communication solutions.

  • Houseparty (December 2012 - June 2019): Co-founded and served as CEO until its acquisition by Epic Games. Houseparty became popular for facilitating group video chats, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Sequoia Capital: Rubin has also worked as a scout for this prominent venture capital firm since May 2017, identifying promising startups and trends in the tech landscape.

  • Benchmark: He served as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) from June 2019 to April 2020, where he contributed to various projects and initiatives.134

Rubin's entrepreneurial journey reflects a commitment to creating engaging digital experiences and adapting to evolving social trends, positioning him as a significant figure in the tech industry.

Highlights

Feb 27 · twitter

Create a group. Add an agent. Make money with friends.

We changed Towns into a place to chat with your friends and have ai agents move money for you.

Try out the new app now and let me know what you think

Jan 5 · twitter

Prediction markets are social by default.

Politics, sports, housing. Conviction forms in group chats long before anyone places a bet, which is why the trade living in the same thread as the conversation feels like the right interface.

That’s one piece of the bet we’re making with Towns.

Jun 25 · a16zcrypto.com
On finding product-market fit... and meaning - a16z crypto
May 10 · youtube.com
Journey to jumpstart: from Meerkat to Houseparty to a crypto-native ...
Journey to jumpstart: from Meerkat to Houseparty to a crypto-native ...
Jul 19 · Grist
Carbon removal trade group launches with 'Hippocratic oath' for the industry - Grist
Jul 19 · The Hill
The role of startups in restoring our climate with carbon removal - The Hill

Related Questions

What inspired Ben Rubin to transition from architecture to digital spaces?
How did Ben Rubin's experience at Sequoia Capital influence his approach at Here Not There Labs?
What were the key challenges Ben Rubin faced while building Houseparty?
How does Ben Rubin's background in architecture influence his approach to tech entrepreneurship?
What are the main goals of Here Not There Labs?
Ben Rubin
Ben Rubin, photo 1
Ben Rubin, photo 2
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Experience

CEO & Co-Founder at Here Not There Labs since April 2020
Scout at Sequoia Capital since May 2017, EIR at Benchmark from June 2019 to April 2020, CEO & Co-founder at Houseparty (part of Epic Games) from December 2012 to June 2019

Education

B.Arch in Architecture from Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 2009-2014

Location

Brooklyn, New York, United States