Professional Role and Background
Joy Tao is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Partiful, a New York-based event-planning startup founded in March 2020. She has held the CTO position since the company's inception. Prior to co-founding Partiful, Tao was a senior software engineer at Facebook. She is a Princeton University graduate and is based in New York City.
Company Overview and Market Position
Partiful, co-founded by Joy Tao and CEO Shreya Murthy, is a digital platform focused on event planning and social engagement, primarily targeting Gen Z users. The app allows users to create dynamic event pages, send invitations (frequently via SMS), and facilitate streamlined communication to help grow real-world social circles. Since its launch, Partiful has evolved from a web-based platform to a fully operational app, which Google recognized by naming it Google Play’s Best App of 2024 in recognition of its cultural impact.
The company has achieved significant market traction; in the first quarter of 2025, Partiful reported a 400% year-over-year user growth, adding 2 million new users and reaching 500,000 monthly active users by Q1 2025. The user base predominantly consists of individuals aged 20 to 30, reflective of a strong Gen Z demographic presence.
Key Professional Insights
- Joy Tao’s technical leadership as CTO has been instrumental in scaling the platform during rapid growth phases, particularly as the company navigated the challenges of launching during the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset in 2020.
- She is part of a founding team with strong technical pedigree; both founders, including Tao, are alumni of Palantir Technologies, known for its rigorous engineering culture. At least six Partiful team members, including Tao, have Palantir backgrounds.
- Partiful positions itself as a challenger to established event management solutions like Evite and Eventbrite, with a unique emphasis on social integration and mobile-first user experience aimed at younger audiences.
- The startup has attracted substantial venture capital investment, overcoming initial investor skepticism to raise a $20 million Series A round in 2023.
Professional Network and Influence
Joy Tao maintains a LinkedIn profile with an established professional network of nearly 300 connections, indicating robust industry engagement within technology and startup circles in New York. She is active on social platforms including X (formerly Twitter), where she shares developments related to Partiful and its organizational tools.
Summary of Relevant Achievements
- Co-founded Partiful in 2020, developing it from concept through market launch and expansion.
- Rapid user acquisition: 2 million new users in 2025, with a monthly active user count of 500,000 by Q1.
- Recognition: Partiful awarded Google Play Best App of 2024.
- Leadership: CTO role with prior technical experience at Facebook and Palantir.
- Fundraising: Helped secure $20 million Series A funding.
Joy Tao’s profile reflects a technically driven leader at the helm of a high-growth, culturally resonant tech startup that leverages social technologies to disrupt traditional event-planning markets. Her experience and network in top-tier tech environments provide a foundation for maintaining Partiful’s innovative trajectory and scaling its platform.
