In brief
Michael Polansky (born September 26, 1983) is an American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist specializing in technology and healthcare initiatives. He graduated from Harvard University in 2006 with a degree in applied mathematics and computer science. Early in his career, Polansky worked at the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates and the venture capital firm Founders Fund, co-founded by Peter Thiel.
Polansky has held key leadership roles in ventures associated with Sean Parker, co-founder of Napster and former president of Facebook, including serving as chief operating officer of the video-chat platform Airtime and executive director of the Parker Foundation since 2015, which focuses on global public health, life sciences, and civic engagement. He is the CEO of the Parker Group, an umbrella organization for Parker's business and charitable endeavors, and a board member of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, which funds research into cancer treatments. Additionally, Polansky co-founded the venture capital firm Avos Capital Management and founded biotech company Outer Biosciences and investment firm Hawktail.
Limited public details are available regarding Michael Polansky's early childhood and family background. He was born on September 26, 1983.
Michael Polansky attended Harvard University from 2002 to 2006, where he earned an A.B. degree in applied mathematics and computer science.
Polansky overlapped at Harvard with Mark Zuckerberg, whose early work on Facebook highlighted the potential of tech entrepreneurship and influenced the campus environment during that era.
Michael Polansky is Jewish.
Photographs
Hero photograph: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
