As a Co-Founder and Venture Partner, Steven Hong's journey in the tech industry is marked by notable achievements and deep insights. Holding a PhD and MS in EECS from Stanford University, where he earned several best paper awards for his research in AI and Wireless Communications.

His career began with a strong foundation in management and strategy consulting at McKinsey and Uber, specializing in M&A diligence and expansion strategy. This led him to co-found Kumu Networks, a venture focused on Self Interference Cancellation for Full Duplex Wireless, where he was instrumental in product management, fundraising, IP strategy and business development.

Steven's venture capital prowess was further honed during his tenure as a partner at Kleiner Perkins. Here, he focused on early-stage HardTech companies, delving into sectors like Autonomous Systems, AI, Machine Learning, and Robotics. His strategic investments and guidance have been key to nurturing groundbreaking innovations in these fields.

Prior to joining Essentia Ventures, Steven served as the CEO and Co-Founder of Oculii, a leader in AI Software for Radar Perception. Under his leadership, Oculii achieved significant milestones, including raising more than $80 million from top-tier VC investors and securing commercial partnerships globally. His journey with Oculii culminated in its acquisition by Ambarella, where he currently holds the position of VP/GM, overseeing the company's advancements in Multi-Modal AI Inference Silicon.

At Essentia Ventures, Steven leverages his extensive experience and deep industry knowledge to source top-tier deals, guide investment strategies and support the portfolio companies. This collaborative approach enables Essentia to stay deeply connected and embedded within the industries it invests in, offering strategic advantages in understanding, speed, and execution.