Next in AI: An Upcoming Conversation with Gamma’s Cofounder

Beta x Essence VC: Changing the Enterprise

Timothy Chen, General Partner at Essence Venture Capital, is a key figure in the realms of developer tools, data infrastructure, and AI/ML. With extensive leadership experience at prominent companies like Grid.ai, Tendermint, Cloudera, and Microsoft, Timothy has developed deep expertise in cloud services, machine learning platforms, and distributed systems.

At Essence VC, Timothy drives early-stage investments, backing companies that show high potential for innovation and growth. His portfolio includes startups like Noteable (acquired by Confluent), Basis (acquired by Digits), and Tabular (acquired by Databricks). In addition to his investment role, he serves as an advisor to firms like Rupert and Bessemer Venture Partners, the latter known for fostering more than 145 IPOs, including major successes such as LinkedIn, Yelp, and Wix. Timothy’s combination of technical expertise and strategic insight makes him a leading voice in both the venture capital landscape and cutting-edge technology spaces.

Grant Lee, Co-founder of Gamma

Grant Lee, co-founder and CEO of Gamma, drives the development of this AI-powered platform that reimagines presentations and content creation by automating workflows and integrating modular, interactive elements. Gamma allows users to convert text into dynamic decks, breaking away from traditional slide tools like PowerPoint to create fluid, customizable content optimized for both horizontal and vertical formats.

Since its launch, Gamma has grown rapidly to over 20 million users, supported by a $12 million funding round led by Accel, reflecting its strong market adoption and viral growth. Positioned as a next-generation communication tool, Gamma offers a seamless way to create, share, and engage with presentations, enhancing productivity in the modern, fast-paced work environment.

Anubhav Maheshwari, Partner at Stage 2 Capital

With a rich professional background, Anubhav serves on the boards of multiple high-growth startups including Rally UXR, Veremark, MVP Match, and Momentum.io, where he provides strategic oversight and operational guidance. He is also a board observer for companies like MedScout, Opus Training, and Order.co, helping them navigate the challenges of scaling. After graduating from Wharton, his early career in technology investment banking at Morgan Stanley laid the foundation for his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and strategic advisory for leading tech firms.

Stage 2 Capital focuses on early-stage B2B software companies, partnering closely with leadership teams to drive sustainable revenue growth and optimize sales operations. Their portfolio includes notable exits like Builtfirst (acquired by AppDirect), OnScale (acquired by Ansys), and ListReports (acquired by MBS Highway).