Ali Partovi and Neo Venture Firm Revolutionize Startup Talent Discovery

Ali Partovi, an influential yet relatively under-recognized figure in Silicon Valley, has built a remarkable career as a founder, investor, and mentor. An Iranian-born Harvard graduate, he co-founded LinkExchange and iLike, and launched the nonprofit Code.org with his twin brother Hadi. Together, the Partovi brothers were early investors in tech giants such as Facebook, Airbnb, and Dropbox, signaling their keen eye for transformative technology ventures.

Partovi’s current focus is Neo, his eight-year-old venture firm dedicated to revolutionizing how exceptional talent is discovered and supported. Neo’s strategy diverges from traditional venture capital by prioritizing individuals over themes or companies, often identifying promising founders while they are still in college. Neo nurtures these talents through mentorship and funding before startups are even incorporated.

Neo’s programs include the “Neo Scholars” initiative, which awards $20,000 grants to about 30 selected college students annually to take gap semesters without equity requirements. Additionally, Neo runs an accelerator program providing funding and guidance to 20 early-stage startups each year. This approach fosters risk-taking, encourages founders to push beyond comfort zones, and aims to cultivate future industry leaders.

A hallmark of Partovi’s method is rigorous technical evaluation, exemplified by his early interaction with Michael Truell, now co-founder of Anysphere and creator of the AI-powered coding editor Cursor. Partovi’s coding tests are not mere assessments but gateways to deeper conversations and mentorship, helping identify individuals with the potential to build impactful companies.

Neo’s portfolio includes several high-profile startups: Anysphere, which is approaching a $10 billion valuation; Cognition, a coding assistant valued at $4 billion; Pika Labs, a text-to-video generative AI tool valued at $700 million; and Chai Discovery, backed by OpenAI and Thrive Capital for molecular structure prediction. These successes underscore Neo’s ability to spot and nurture future tech leaders.

Partovi evaluates potential founders based on four key qualities: technical ability, entrepreneurial spirit, willingness to challenge the status quo, and magnetism—the ability to attract talented peers. This holistic assessment helps Neo identify individuals who can not only innovate but also build strong teams and communities around their ventures.

Despite growing demand, Neo maintains strict selectivity, choosing quality over quantity. The firm recently closed a $320 million fund, with Partovi personally increasing his investment significantly, signaling strong confidence in Neo’s model. Early funds have already yielded returns three to four times their value, with potential for further growth.

In a challenging exit market, Partovi advises founders to prioritize building enduring value and serving users over short-term financial gains. His philosophy emphasizes creating products that people love, with financial success as a natural outcome. This mindset aligns with Neo’s long-term approach to nurturing transformative technology leaders.

Ali Partovi and Neo exemplify a new paradigm in venture capital—one focused on early talent discovery, personalized mentorship, and patient investment. Their success stories demonstrate the power of investing in people first, reshaping how startups are built and scaled in the modern tech landscape.