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Roy E. Bahat

Roy E. Bahat

VC, public intellectual focused on future of work and tech ethics

San Francisco, California
Joined January 2025

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Summary

Roy E. Bahat is a prominent venture capitalist and public intellectual who heads Bloomberg Beta, an early-stage VC firm focused on the future of work and artificial intelligence. He is known for investing in forward-thinking companies and emphasizing social responsibility and inclusive practices within the tech industry. nitter+3
He is a strong advocate for worker empowerment and tech ethics, believing that technology should improve human labor rather than replace it. This philosophy is evident in his investment choices, his writings on organized labor, and his collaboration with non-profits and think tanks to foster fairer labor ecosystems. nitter+5
As a lecturer at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, he teaches courses that include an innovative one on organized labor, reflecting his commitment to educating future leaders on the importance of worker power and ethical considerations in business. nitter+2
Bahat has a diverse professional background, having served in government, led a non-profit, co-founded a gaming company (OUYA, Inc.), and held leadership positions in media companies like IGN Entertainment and News Corporation before transitioning into venture capital. nitter+2
He is a prolific writer and speaker, contributing to discussions on AI, labor equity, and digital transformation through his personal blog "Also by Roy Bahat" and articles in publications like Fortune and Harvard Business Review. His writings often offer thoughtful, progressive commentary on the intersection of technology, work, and society. roybahat+2

Work

Education

Projects

Writing

In startups, firing is more important than hiring

November 1, 2025

Discusses the importance of effective firing in startups over perfect hiring, acknowledging that initial hires are often wrong.

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I’m a venture capitalist, and here’s why I believe we need to guarantee everyone’s basic needs: The social floor is actually a trampoline that can propel our economy

April 23, 2024

Argues that guaranteeing basic needs creates a 'social floor' that acts as a trampoline, fostering economic growth and innovation rather than hindering it.

Favicon imagefortune.com

Starbucks is negotiating with its unionized workers. Here’s why this is good news for America

March 14, 2024

Highlights the agreement between Starbucks and its unionized workers as a positive example for future labor relations in America.

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The Labor-Savvy Leader

July 1, 2023

Advocates for business leaders to collaborate with organized labor rather than oppose it, suggesting a new approach to employer-worker relations.

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How to create and run a successful groupchat: a starter guide

Examines groupchats as a central nervous system for work, outlining strategies for effective management based on experiences with millions of members.

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The wrong question to ask when considering joining a startup

Advises individuals considering joining startups to focus on their potential contributions rather than solely on the company's odds of success.

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Researchers United? If you care about the future of AI, focus more on the people who actually build it, less on their CEOs

Argues that in the discussion about the future of AI, more attention should be paid to the actual builders of AI rather than just the celebrity CEOs.

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Our country's 'the dress' moment

Reflects on moments of profound change where the same event or situation can be interpreted in two completely different ways, similar to the optical illusion of 'the dress'.

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Request for startups: worker organizing

Identifies an unmet need for startups focused on serving workers' needs, contrasting with the common focus on employer-centric solutions.

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Startups and shame

Explores how shame can hinder founders and individuals in their work lives, affecting their ability to recognize potential or confront truths.

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Can we build better AI? Consider the case of the loom vs. the crane.

Discusses whether AI should be designed to expand human abilities ('cranes') or replace them ('looms'), advocating for AI that augments human capabilities.

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Our most frequent comments on pitch decks

Offers insights into common feedback provided on pitch decks, emphasizing the importance of understanding the venture before offering advice.

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A model to prepare workers for the future: organized labor training centers

Presents organized labor training centers as an effective model for equipping workers with new skills to adapt to technological changes.

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Business leaders need to take responsibility for how we respond to unionization

Argues that business leaders must proactively and responsibly engage with unionization efforts, collaborating with labor organizations.

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Notes

KMKartik Mandavillesaid
RERoy E. Bahat
has played a leading role in building or selling multiple successful companies.

Dec 4, 2025

MBMicah Baldwinsaid
RERoy E. Bahat
has played a leading role in building or selling multiple successful companies.

Dec 3, 2025

ATAmy Tamsaid they've seen
RERoy E. Bahat
make a meaningful positive impact by funding pre-seed startups in consumer, media, big data, or learning tech.

Oct 1, 2025

BLBrian Lisaid
RERoy E. Bahat
genuinely cares about maximizing their mental and cognitive potential.

Jun 15, 2025