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Key people at 10e9.
10e9 was founded by Hooman Radfar (Founder).
10e9 is an investment and advisory firm that provides capital and strategic guidance to early-stage, data-driven technology companies. Operating as an active investor rather than a passive capital provider, the organization takes equity stakes in its portfolio companies while assisting founders with operational scaling, customer acquisition, and market expansion strategies. Through a strategic partnership with the startup studio Expa, the firm connects entrepreneurs with an extensive network of experienced operators, including early executives and founders from Uber and Foursquare. While the firm's current assets under management and total deployed capital remain undisclosed, its leadership brings significant enterprise scaling experience, highlighted by the growth of the data platform AddThis to nearly 2 billion monthly users prior to its 2016 acquisition by Oracle. 10e9 was founded by former Expa partner and technology entrepreneur Hooman Radfar.
10e9 was founded by Hooman Radfar (Founder).
Key people at 10e9.
10e9 is an investment platform and founder network created by serial entrepreneur Hooman Radfar that operates as a personal investment vehicle and advisor to early-stage startups; it focuses on accelerating founder-led companies by providing capital, operating advice, and access to Radfar’s network from his time at AddThis and Expa.[2][3]
High-Level Overview
10e9 operates as an angel/seed-stage investment platform and founder-focused support network founded and run by Hooman Radfar, aimed at helping early-stage startups scale through capital, operator experience, and introductions drawn from his prior exits and venture roles.[2][3] Its mission is to back and advise ambitious founders, leveraging Radfar’s operator background and relationships to improve startup outcomes and accelerate growth.[2] The investment philosophy emphasizes founder-led teams, product-market fit at seed/early stages, and hands-on support rather than passive capital—acting as a connector between startups and larger venture ecosystems Radfar participates in (including Expa and other VC networks).[2] Key sectors are technology-heavy consumer and developer-facing internet businesses (reflecting Radfar’s AddThis and Expa experience), though the platform has advised and invested across fintech, marketplaces, and infrastructure startups.[2][3] Impact on the startup ecosystem comes through early capital, mentorship, and access to follow-on investors and operator networks that help startups professionalize GTM and product strategy early in their lifecycles.[2][3]
Origin Story
10e9 was founded by Hooman Radfar after his entrepreneurial exit and subsequent roles as a venture partner and operator investor; Radfar co-founded AddThis (acquired) and later joined Expa as a venture partner, and 10e9 emerged as his personal investment/advisory vehicle to back and advise founders outside of traditional institutional fund structures.[2][3] Radfar’s background—serial founder, operator and venture partner—shaped 10e9’s model: providing both capital and active operational guidance. The idea grew from Radfar’s pattern of advising and investing in the same types of high-growth internet and platform businesses he helped build, formalizing that activity into a recognizable platform and network for founders.[2][3] Early traction is visible through the advisory and investor roles Radfar has taken with multiple startups and through public mentions tying 10e9 to his broader involvement with startups he’s mentored or invested in via Expa and personal channels.[2]
Core Differentiators
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
10e9 rides the continuing trend of founder-led angel platforms and operating venture partners providing both capital and high-touch support to early-stage startups—a model that complements larger institutional funds by de-risking companies before they seek bigger rounds.[2] The timing matters because startups increasingly value operator-led investors who can offer tactical help (hiring, GTM, product priors) in addition to capital during a competitive seed/early market.[2][3] Market forces favor high-quality networks and repeat founder credibility in sourcing and scaling startups, and platforms like 10e9 act as talent and deal-flow multipliers that channel promising founders into larger venture ecosystems (e.g., Expa and other partner funds).[2][3] By providing early validation and operational mentorship, 10e9 influences the ecosystem by increasing founder survivability and improving the quality of companies that reach later-stage investors.[2][3]
Quick Take & Future Outlook
10e9 is well-positioned to continue as a niche, operator-led seed/advisory vehicle: expect it to keep sourcing deals through Radfar’s network, focus on high-leverage product and go-to-market guidance, and partner with institutional VCs for follow-on rounds.[2][3] Trends that will shape its journey include continued demand for operator-investors, greater emphasis on founder diversity and sector specialization, and increasing competition among angel platforms—making differentiation via proven operating support and curated network introductions critical.[2] If Radfar leverages his Expa ties and prior exit credibility effectively, 10e9’s influence should grow as a trusted early backer that helps founders cross the hardest early-stage milestones and access larger venture capital when ready.[2][3]
Sources: reporting on Hooman Radfar’s roles as founder of 10e9, co‑founder of AddThis, and venture partner at Expa provides the factual basis for the summary and analysis presented above.[2][3]
