Kabir Shahani is one of the most accomplished technology entrepreneurs to emerge from the Pacific Northwest. A serial founder, investor, and educator, Shahani has spent the past two decades building software companies that solve real enterprise problems — and winning.
Born in Dearborn, Michigan and raised in Kansas City, Shahani came to Seattle to study at the University of Washington, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Informatics in 2004. He later completed the Advanced Management Program at Northwestern University, rounding out a strong academic foundation in both technology and business strategy.
His first venture, Appature, was co-founded in 2007 as a marketing automation platform targeting enterprise healthcare clients. The company grew steadily, eventually being acquired by IMS Health in 2013 — a significant exit that cemented Shahani’s reputation in B2B software.
The real breakthrough came in 2016, when Shahani co-founded Amperity alongside Derek Slager. Amperity’s mission was bold but clear: help the world’s largest brands unify their fragmented customer data into a single, reliable source of truth. The company attracted major clients across retail, travel, and hospitality, and raised nearly $200 million from investors including Tiger Global Management. In 2021, Amperity crossed the $1 billion valuation threshold, achieving unicorn status.
Shahani stepped down as CEO in 2022 and in 2023 founded Amp It Up Ventures, a vehicle for backing the next generation of AI-native software companies. Early investments include Avante, which raised $10 million in seed funding, and Adora.
Beyond his ventures, Shahani serves as an affiliate assistant professor at the UW Information School, where he teaches courses in AI, machine learning, and product design — reflecting his commitment to mentoring the next generation of Pacific Northwest technologists.
For a full profile, see his Wikipedia page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabir_Shahani
Martin Evans is a tech specialist with 10+ years of experience in software engineering, data analytics and digital transformation. He currently works as Senior Software Engineer for a leading IT solutions company in England. Martin has a passion for programming and loves staying up to date with the latest technology trends. He specializes in developing custom software solutions and is experienced with everything from front end to back end engineering practices.
