Payam Zamani
About Payam Zamani
I am an entrepreneur, Internet pioneer, angel investor and currently the CEO and Founder of One Planet Group, a hybrid tech firm that runs a suite of online technology and media businesses. I started One Planet with the mission is to support strong business ideas while at the same time building an ethos that helps improve society and gives back to communities. This philosophy is embodied in my company’s tagline, innovation + intention, to convey that good ideas and profitable businesses are not enough; to positively impact the world, we need align all our efforts with the right intentions. Born in Iran, I was raised as a member of the Baha’i Faith, a peaceful religion focused on bringing about love and unity amongst people of all races and backgrounds. I escaped Iran in 1987 at the age of 16, fleeing religious persecution and ended up in Pakistan before being granted asylum in the U.S. and landing in San Francisco in June 1988. Thrilled for the opportunity to attend University (Baha’i’s are still not able to attend University in Iran), I put myself through college and earned a B.S. in environmental toxicology from the University of California, Davis. Shortly after graduating, I began my entrepreneurial journey founding and helping others launch Internet-based businesses. In 1994, I co-founded the first online car buying service, AutoWeb.com. In 1999, I helped take the company public and completed a successful IPO reaching a market cap of $1.2 billion. Today, in addition to running One Planet Ops, I currently serve or have previously served on the Board of Directors or Advisors to many technology-based startups, including The RealReal, SoulPancake, Wayfarer Entertainment, and BestMile. I am also the Founder and the Editor-in-Chief of BahaiTeachings.org – a spiritual enlightenment website. Together, my wife and I are proud supporters of the Tahirih Justice Center and the Equal Justice Initiative.