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  1. Home
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  3. Emmett Shear
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Emmett Shear

Emmett Shear

CEO / Softmax

CountryUnited States
EducationBS, Yale University
Known ForRuby on Rails, PostgreSQL, Linux server administration, Python
Twitter119.7K
LinkedIn5.6K
TechnologyInternet InfrastructureWeb Design
Twitter Followers
119.7K
LinkedIn Followers
5.6K
Twitch CEO Tenure
12 Years
Twitch Co-Founder
Yes
Search More

About Emmett Shear

Emmett Shear is an American Internet entrepreneur and investor, best known as the co-founder of the live video platform Justin.tv, which later evolved into Twitch. He served as the CEO of Twitch from 2011 to 2023, overseeing its growth into the world's leading video platform for gamers before its acquisition by Amazon. Currently, he is the CEO of Softmax, an applied developmental cybernetics research company, and has also served as the interim CEO of OpenAI.

Career

Softmax
Softmax

CEO

Feb 2024 - Present
Position

CEO

Y Combinator
Y Combinator

Visiting Group Partner

Apr 2023 - Jul 2025
Position

Visiting Group Partner

Twitch
Twitch

CEO

Oct 2011 - Mar 2023
Responsibilities

As Twitch has grown from an initial team of 4 to more than ten times that, there have been new challenges at every step.

My job now involves product design, hiring, legal work, hiring, management, hiring, strategizing, and hiring. And even a tiny bit of coding when I get the chance.

Fathom (YC W21)
Fathom (YC W21)

Angel Investor

Aug 2021 - Sep 2021
Position

Angel Investor

Y Combinator
Y Combinator

Part-time Partner

Jun 2011 - Jun 2016
Responsibilities

Advising YC startups on everything from fundraising strategy to technical approach to product decisions to hiring and firing. I hold office hours about weekly, and help with the selection process for new batches.

Justin.TV Inc.
Justin.TV Inc.

Founder

Sep 2006 - Nov 2011
Responsibilities

As CTO, I was responsible for coding, hiring, and technical management. Somehow I also wound up as our DBA. And the stats guy. And occasional product designer.

You wear a lot of hats when you start a company.

Kiko Software Inc.
Kiko Software Inc.

Founder

2005 - Sep 2006
Responsibilities

I wrote a lot of code. V1 was a one-page app way before they became fashionable, so I had to reinvent a bunch of frameworks. I also learned how databases work, Ruby on Rails, system administration, and more about browser quirks than any human should know.

Education

Yale University
Yale University

BS

2001 - 2005
Field of Study

BS - Computer Science

University of Washington
University of Washington
1997 - 1998
Education

N/A

Skills

Core technical and professional competencies developed through founding and leading major technology platforms.

Leadership & Business

Startup Founding

Venture Capital

Strategic Planning

Executive Leadership

Team Management

Hiring & Talent Acquisition

Technical Skills

Ruby on Rails

Python

PostgreSQL

Linux System Administration

System Architecture

Product Design

Domain Expertise

Live Video Streaming

Gaming Industry

Applied AI Research

Cybernetics

Internet Infrastructure

Domains

Primary Focus

Artificial Intelligence, Applied Cybernetics, Live Video Streaming, Gaming, Internet Infrastructure

Secondary Focus

Venture Capital, Startup Ecosystem, Media & Entertainment

Tags

Personality

Visionary, Entrepreneurial, Technical Founder, Strategic Leader, Investor

Approach & Focus

Future of AI, Platform Scaling, Technology Development, Product-Centric

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Frequently Asked Questions

A factual summary of Emmett Shear's career, focusing on his executive roles at Twitch, Softmax, and OpenAI.

How long was Emmett Shear CEO of Twitch?

He served as the CEO of Twitch from October 2011 until March 2023, overseeing its growth for nearly 12 years before its acquisition by Amazon.

What is Emmett Shear's current role?

He is currently the CEO of Softmax, an applied developmental cybernetics research company, a position he has held since February 2024.

Did Emmett Shear serve as OpenAI CEO?

Yes, he briefly served as the interim CEO of OpenAI in November 2023, following the initial removal of Sam Altman.

What was Emmett Shear's role at Y Combinator?

He has held multiple roles at Y Combinator, including Partner (2011-2016) and a Managing Director role (2023-2025).

Who acquired the platform Justin.tv/Twitch?

Justin.tv, the live video platform he co-founded, evolved into Twitch and was acquired by Amazon in 2014.

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