Zach Rattner

Zach Rattner is a technology leader who built his career from corporate engineer to AI startup founder. As the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Yembo, he developed AI-powered virtual surveys that have changed how the home service and insurance industries operate. Yembo now serves customers in over 20 countries, processes millions of videos per year, and has grown to a 70-person company with multi-million dollar revenue.

With over 15 years of software engineering experience, Zach spotted and acted on opportunities in the AI space early. He holds over 20 granted US patents, with several more pending, and ranks in the top 2% of contributors on Stack Overflow. As a LinkedIn Top AI Voice, he shares practical insights about AI innovation and technology leadership.

Before starting Yembo in 2016, Zach worked at Qualcomm, where he led software development for Qualcomm ImpaQt, the company's internal innovation program. He guided teams through the incubation process, oversaw prototype development, and created internal tools that saved the company millions. His technical background includes integrating AI technology into B2B products, web application design and engineering, modem software engineering, and Bluetooth localization technology.

In his book Grow Up Fast: Lessons from an AI Startup, Zach shares what he learned about handling uncertainty, building strong teams, and adapting to rapid changes in AI. He focuses on testing assumptions, building diverse teams, and turning limitations into advantages – approaches that helped him build and grow an AI-powered company.

Zach graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Computer Engineering and stayed active in the startup community as a Program Lead for the Startup Leadership Program and Developer Track Co-Captain for Startup San Diego. Beyond technical work, he helps companies understand how to use their data effectively and gain advantages through AI implementation.