Sharad Agarwal

Overview

Sharad Agarwal is an angel investor and senior principal researcher at Microsoft Research, specializing in AI systems and cloud services. He has been with Microsoft Research for over 13 years, working on advanced and applied research in mobile computing, networking, and cloud services. His work has advanced the state-of-the-art in several technical areas, including scalable cloud services, network traffic management, latency in multiplayer games, and geo-distributed online services. He is an ACM Distinguished Engineer and holds over 100 issued patents. He has authored over 45 academic publications with over 9,000 citations and an H-index of 45. He has served on over 60 academic committees. As an angel investor, Sharad has invested in over 20 startups, some of which have graduated from Y Combinator and raised capital from large VC firms. He has mentored and invested in startup founders through Grubstakes and other groups in Seattle. He is also involved in hosting fireside chats and podcasts, such as 'MEET THE METAPRENEUR,' where he engages with leaders in digital transformation and innovation. His investment focus includes early-stage technology companies, particularly in the fields of AI, cloud computing, and software development. He is based in Seattle, Washington, and is active in the local tech community, providing mentorship and guidance to emerging startups.

Investment Focus

• Innovative technology solutions
• Scalable business models
• Strong founding teams
• Clear market differentiation
• Potential for significant growth

Portfolio Companies