Bessemer Venture Partners promotes Christopher Wan to Vice President

At Bessemer, the concept of curiosity is a firm value that helps us identify and back technological innovation and the entrepreneurs bringing these discoveries to life. In this spirit, we celebrate the promotion of Chris Wan to Vice President. Since joining the firm in 2021, Chris has leveraged his unique blend of technical knowledge and policy expertise to help entrepreneurs navigate complex go to market motions as they commercialize these scientific and technical breakthroughs.

With a background spanning engineering, law, and policy, Chris brings a multidisciplinary perspective to his work with founders. He primarily makes seed- and early-stage investments in deep tech, including artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). Chris works closely with several portfolio companies, including Bastille, Halter, Lumachain, TurbineOne, Windfall Bio, ModelCode.ai, and Xanadu. He also contributed to Bessemer's roadmaps in aerospace, quantum computing, climate tech, defense tech, and AI/ML infrastructure. In 2023, Chris played a key role in researching and developing the XB100, Bessemer and XPRIZE’s definitive ranking of the world’s top 100 private deep tech companies, and the firm’s accompanying report, the State of Deep Tech.

"Chris's unwavering dedication to entrepreneurs and his ability to navigate the complex interplay between technology and policy make him an indispensable partner to the founders we support," shares David Cowan, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. "His intellectual curiosity and independent thinking embody what Bessemer is all about."

“I joined Bessemer because I am insatiably curious about how the world works and I’m fundamentally optimistic about the future," says Chris. "I love partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs who are tackling the world's most pressing challenges head-on. One of my favorite parts of the role is being a thought partner and helping remove roadblocks, enabling founders to focus on what matters most: building amazing products that people love."

Prior to joining Bessemer, Chris worked as an engineer on the News Credibility team at Facebook, and at In-Q-Tel, the CIA's venture arm. He also contributed to AI policy white papers at the Stanford Institute of Human-Centered AI. Chris earned his J.D. from Stanford Law School and his bachelor’s in computer science from Yale University. Outside of work, you can find Chris running, biking, swimming, watching NBA basketball, and reading about history and industrial policy.

To learn more about Chris and his work in deep tech investing, follow him on Twitter @chrisxwan and check out his Substack, where he writes about the intersection of technology and politics.