Ari Kalfayan
About Ari Kalfayan
Ari Kalfayan is the Director of Sales and Business Development at Lambda, with a background in machine learning and startup ecosystems. He has held various leadership roles in companies such as Amazon Web Services and Figure Eight, and he advocates for equality and equity in entrepreneurship.
Current Role at Lambda
Ari Kalfayan serves as the Director of Sales and Business Development at Lambda, a position he has held since 2024. His role involves overseeing sales strategies and business development initiatives to enhance the company's market presence. He operates from Los Angeles, California, and engages in remote work, reflecting the modern workplace dynamics.
Previous Experience at Amazon Web Services
Before joining Lambda, Ari Kalfayan worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in various capacities. He served as Head of Early Stage Machine Learning Business Development for one year, from 2022 to 2023, focusing on startups and venture capital. Prior to that, he was a Senior Business Development Manager at AWS from 2020 to 2022, contributing to the growth of machine learning solutions.
Founding and Leadership Roles
Ari Kalfayan has held significant roles in various startups and tech organizations. He was a co-founder of Dolores Labs, which integrated with Weights & Biases, from 2017 to 2019. He also joined the founding team of Weights & Biases, which successfully raised $170 million and achieved a valuation exceeding $1 billion. His leadership in these ventures highlights his expertise in the tech startup ecosystem.
Educational Background
Ari Kalfayan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis, where he studied Political Science, Communication, and Global and International Studies. His education spanned from 2002 to 2006, providing a foundation for his career in business development and sales within the technology sector.
Advocacy and Community Engagement
Ari Kalfayan advocates for equality and equity in the entrepreneurial space. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and merit-based recognition for underrepresented groups. Additionally, he has created prominent startup and tech community events in San Francisco, contributing to the local ecosystem. He supports purpose-driven non-profits like Startout and Commonweal, focusing on promoting equality in business.