Eric Bakan

Head of Data, Y Combinator
San Francisco, California, United States

Professional Overview

Eric Bakan is an accomplished data and engineering leader with extensive experience driving innovation and business impact in the technology industry. As the Head of Data at Y Combinator, he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of data strategies and solutions that support the accelerator's mission and portfolio companies.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Head of Data at Y Combinator, Eric is responsible for developing and executing the organization's data strategy, leading a team of data professionals, and driving the implementation of data-driven initiatives across the accelerator's portfolio. He leverages his expertise in data engineering, machine learning, and product development to help Y Combinator and its startups unlock the full potential of their data assets.

Career Progression

Prior to joining Y Combinator, Eric held several leadership roles at Modern Health, a leading mental health technology company. He served as the Head of Foundations Engineering, Senior Engineering Manager, and Engineering Manager, where he led cross-functional teams in building robust data and engineering solutions to support the company's rapid growth and product innovation.

Before Modern Health, Eric was the Head of Machine Learning at Triplebyte, a technology assessment platform, where he drove the development and deployment of advanced machine learning models to enhance the company's talent evaluation and matching capabilities. Earlier in his career, he co-founded Nightingale App, a healthcare technology startup, and gained valuable experience in software engineering and research during his time at MIT CSAIL and Qualcomm.

Academic Background

Eric holds a bachelor's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he conducted undergraduate research at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL).

Areas of Expertise

• Data strategy and execution

• Data engineering and infrastructure

• Machine learning and artificial intelligence

• Product development and innovation

• Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration

Professional Impact

At Y Combinator, Eric has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization's data initiatives, leading the implementation of advanced analytics and machine learning solutions to support the growth and success of its portfolio companies. His contributions have helped Y Combinator leverage data-driven insights to identify promising startups, optimize operations, and drive continuous improvement.

Throughout his career, Eric has demonstrated a track record of delivering measurable business impact through his technical expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to build high-performing teams. His industry contributions and innovative mindset have positioned him as a respected leader in the technology community.

Conclusion

With his extensive experience in data, engineering, and product development, Eric Bakan is well-equipped to lead Y Combinator's data strategy and drive the success of the accelerator's portfolio companies. His proven ability to translate data-driven insights into tangible business value makes him a valuable asset in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.