Andrew Yang
Andrew Yang is a well-known entrepreneur, lawyer, and philanthropist. He is the Founder and CEO of Venture For America, a fellowship program to help startups better reach their potential while providing the country’s best and brightest with the skills and experience they need to become successful entrepreneurs in their own right. Yang has handled several executive positions at a number of technology and education companies. Prior to VFA, he was the CEO and President of Manhattan GMAT, a test preparation company that was acquired by the Washington Post/Kaplan in 2009. Yang is the author of Smart People Should Build Things and The War on Normal People. He was a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and a 2021 candidate for mayor of New York City.
Andrew Yang Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Founder and CEO
Academic History
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J.D., Law
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B.A., Economics
Venture For America is a national nonprofit and two-year Fellowship program that gives recent college graduates firsthand startup experiences to help them become strong leaders.
VFA provides a path for entrepreneurship to college graduates who want to learn how to build companies and create jobs.
In 2024, the nonprofit shut down its operations after more than a decade of helping young adults find jobs in innovation ecosystems.
EARLY CAREER
Yang has worked in start-ups and early stage growth companies as a founder or executive for more than twelve years.
He has handled several executive positions at a number of technology and education companies.
He has also served as the co-founder of an Internet company and an executive at a health care software start-up.
He was the CEO and President of Manhattan GMAT, a test preparation company that was acquired by the Washington Post/Kaplan in 2009.
He has appeared on CNN, NBC, Fox Business, TIME, TechCrunch, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and many other media outlets.
RECOGNITIONS
2015 Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship
2012 Fast Company 100 Most Creative People in Business
2011 The White House Champion of Change
Yang filed to run for the United States presidency in 2020 under the slogan "Make America Think Harder."
His defining policy proposal was Universal Basic Income, a supplemental income offered to American adults to prepare them for the economic challenges incurred by artificial intelligence and automation.
Prior to suspending his presidential campaign in 2020, Yang built a strong digital coalition and attracted a base of loyal supporters called the Yang Gang.