Ann Miura-Ko
Born 1976 · Age 49
Co-founding Partner at Floodgate (seed-stage VC), Stanford lecturer, repeat Forbes Midas List member, early investor in Lyft, TaskRabbit, Refinery29 and others. PhD in math modeling of computer security from Stanford; grew up in Palo Alto.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Santa Monica, grew up in Palo Alto
Born in Santa Monica; raised in Palo Alto. Daughter of a NASA rocket scientist; childhood steeped in technology.
High-school debate achievements
Placed first in the National Tournament of Champions and placed second in the State of California (reported in interviews).
Graduated Palo Alto High School
Graduated from Palo Alto High School (Paly). Active in speech & debate; won major tournaments in high school.
Externship/shadowed HP CEO Lew Platt at HP
As an undergraduate work-study/dean's-office job led to an opportunity to shadow Lew Platt (Hewlett-Packard) for a week — formative exposure to tech leadership.
Started at McKinsey & Company
Joined McKinsey as a business analyst (later senior business analyst). Worked on wireless internet strategy, venture arm design, and growth strategy for wireless/startup clients.
Earned B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Yale
Completed undergraduate degree (B.S.EE) at Yale University; participated in Robocup robotics competition in Paris as part of a Yale team.
Joined Charles River Ventures (CRV)
Worked as an analyst at CRV (deal diligence, sourcing) from ~Sep 2001 to mid-2003.
Second day at Charles River Ventures coincided with 9/11
Joined Charles River Ventures (CRV) in 2001; her second day coincided with the Sept 11 attacks — formative experience on shepherding companies through crisis.
Started PhD at Stanford (Quantitative Modeling of Computer Security)
Enrolled in Stanford PhD program studying math modeling of information security / computer security; began teaching/TAing in entrepreneurship (including as TA for Steve Blank).
Teaching Assistant for Steve Blank's entrepreneurship classes
Served as TA in lean startup / entrepreneurship classes at Stanford where she met Mike Maples Jr. and other industry mentors.
Observed shift toward inexpensive entrepreneurship
Analyzed changing startup economics (cloud, commoditized infrastructure): thesis that $500K could replace prior $5M seed norms; concept contributed to Floodgate investment thesis.
Seed/investment thesis publicly stated: '$500K is the new $5M'
Articulated Floodgate's thesis that smaller seed checks (~$500K) in early-stage founders were displacing prior $5M early rounds — strategic milestone for firm approach.
Co-founded Maples Investments / Floodgate (firm formation)
Co-founded the venture firm with Mike Maples Jr.; initially named Maples Investments; set out as a super-angel / seed-focused firm during the 2008 financial crisis.
First year at Floodgate: personal milestones and first investments
In her first year starting Floodgate she gave birth to her second child, defended her PhD thesis 6 weeks later (PhD completion followed), and made Floodgate's early investment in TaskRabbit.
Earned PhD from Stanford
PhD in math modeling of computer security (information security) conferred (degree year reported as 2010).
Led/participated in early investment in Lyft
Floodgate (Ann) invested in Lyft in 2010; she served on Lyft's board and remained on the board through 2023 (per firm bio).
Media recognition: 'Most Powerful Woman in Startups' article
Maples Investments -> Floodgate and Ann profiled in press (e.g., coverage highlighting her influence; TechCrunch / Forbes pieces around 2010 onward).
Maples Investments renamed Floodgate (March 2010)
Firm formerly called Maples Investments officially rebranded as Floodgate Fund in March 2010.
Reportedly sat on eight company boards
In a 2013 interview she noted serving on eight boards (example boards cited across sources include Zimride, Refinery29, TaskRabbit, ModCloth and more).
Startup Grind interview (San Francisco)
Appeared on Startup Grind to discuss time management, investing, and being a partner at Floodgate; noted she sat on eight boards at that time.
Profiled as top investor & 'Most Powerful Woman in Startups'
Multiple profiles highlighted her influence (VerdeMagazine profile cites Forbes calling her the 'Most Powerful Woman in Startups').
Public Stanford/eCorner talk: 'Hatching Thunder Lizards'
Public talk/interview on venture thesis for hunting 'thunder lizards' (large disruptive companies). (YouTube dated June 7, 2016.)
Named to Forbes Midas List (2017)
Included on the 2017 Forbes Midas List of top 100 venture capitalists (repeat Midas List member in later years).
Co-founding member of All Raise
Named a co-founding member of All Raise, a nonprofit supporting diversity among funders and founders (All Raise formed c. 2018).
Public thought leadership: multiple long-form interviews
Major interviews / podcast appearances (Tim Ferriss Aug 2, 2018; others) where she explained investing thesis, 'thunder lizards', debate background and career advice.
Featured on The Tim Ferriss Show (podcast episode #331)
Long-form interview covering debate, career path, Floodgate history, investments, and personal lessons (Tim Ferriss Show, Aug 2, 2018).
Named to New York Times list of Top 20 Venture Capitalists Worldwide (mentioned on Floodgate bio)
Firm bio describes her as on the NYT Top 20 VC worldwide list (timing implied post-2017 successes).
Elected to Yale Corporation Board of Trustees
Became a member of the Yale University board of trustees / Yale Corporation (service period noted 2019–2025).
Became co-director of Stanford Mayfield Fellows Program
Named co-director of the Mayfield Fellows Program at Stanford and continued lecturing in entrepreneurship.
Stanford ETL Speaker Series appearance
Appeared in Stanford ETL speaker series (video dated Aug 19, 2020) on entrepreneurship topics.
Named to Forbes Midas List (2022)
Again recognized on the Forbes Midas List of top venture investors.
Stepped down from Lyft board (service through 2023)
Reportedly served on Lyft's board through 2023 following an early investment in 2010.
Led seed/pre-seed investments in AI startups
Led seed or pre-seed rounds in AI startups (examples cited: Counsel Health, Hebbia, ReadyOn) as part of Floodgate's 2020s activity.
Floodgate profile summary and ongoing activity
Floodgate profile (2024) highlights investments across healthcare, consumer, marketplaces, and AI seed rounds; leadership roles and teaching at Stanford (profile updated 2024).
SmarterDX reported $1B+ exit (credited to Floodgate investments)
Floodgate bio references a $1B+ exit for SmarterDX in 2025 (healthcare sector exit noted on firm profile).
Key Achievement Ages
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