Silicon Valley‘s influence in Washington D.C. is no longer in the shadows. The tech industry’s disruptors are now steering the course at the highest levels of government, largely due to the Department of Government Efficiency, widely known as DOGE. This organization has become a focal point of attention as entrepreneurs and investors from the tech sector increasingly engage with public service, aiming to reshape federal operations and slash government spending.
Silicon Valley‘s Infiltration of DOGE
Much of the scrutiny surrounding DOGE has centered on the connections its personnel maintain with Elon Musk, a close ally of President Trump. However, a significant parallel lies in the network of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who have answered the call to reduce government expenditures. These tech leaders are bringing their private sector expertise to the federal government, impacting policy and operations.
This report presents a detailed compilation of founders and VCs collaborating with DOGE, identified through public records, legal documentation, and investigative journalism. Our analysis also uncovers a previously undisclosed DOGE affiliate, Mike Gonzalez, formerly the head of the HR tech startup TraceHQ. This list illustrates the expanding reach of Silicon Valley within governmental structures.
Gonzalez is just one example of a tech founder transitioning into public service roles. Our comprehensive list of founders now serving within DOGE includes individuals ranging from the co-founder of Airbnb to a tech executive who sold his company for nearly a billion dollars. These individuals are seeking new purpose in government after successful careers in the startup world, highlighting a shift in career aspirations among tech leaders.
The involvement extends to the venture capital sphere, encompassing figures like Silicon Valley luminary Marc Andreessen, who describes himself as an “unpaid intern” at DOGE. Another key individual is a former Thiel Capital employee who has ascended to prominent governmental positions. This VC contingent underscores the deep integration of Silicon Valley‘s financial power within DOGE’s operations.
Regardless of one’s perspective on DOGE, the escalating influence of Silicon Valley on the federal government is undeniable. Continue reading to discover the individuals shaping this evolving landscape and their impact on the future of governance.
Founders
Nate Cavanaugh
Cavanaugh co-founded Brainbase, an enterprise SaaS firm acquired in 2022, and FlowFi, a marketplace for finance experts that secured $9 million in funding last year. His entrepreneurial background positions him as a key figure in DOGE’s initiatives to refine government operations.
He is part of a DOGE group tasked with auditing, and some argue dismantling, the USADF and IAF. These U.S. agencies support development projects in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as outlined in a lawsuit by USADF president Ward Brehm. Cavanaugh’s involvement signals a shift in approach to international development funding.
While Cavanaugh lacks a public record of political engagement, he cites Peter Thiel, a prominent Trump supporter, as a significant influence on his worldview and business philosophy. This connection aligns with the broader trend of tech figures finding inspiration in politically active investors.
(back to top)
Stephen Ehikian
Ehikian has twice sold companies to Salesforce: Airkit.ai in 2023 and RelateIQ in 2014. Following these acquisitions, he held product roles at Salesforce, most recently as VP of AI products. His extensive experience in tech integration is now applied to government operations.
President Trump appointed Ehikian as acting administrator and deputy administrator of the GSA in January. This agency is central to federal government contracting and procurement. His appointment signifies a move to bring private sector efficiency to government purchasing processes.
In this capacity, Ehikian oversees GSA’s real estate holdings and manages government technology contracts. He has indicated intentions to terminate leases, reduce consulting contracts, and implement personnel reductions within the GSA. His actions reflect a commitment to streamlining government resource allocation.
Senators Alex Padilla and Representative Joseph Morelle expressed opposition to Ehikian’s collaboration with DOGE on these measures in a letter sent in March. This bipartisan scrutiny highlights the contentious nature of DOGE’s reform efforts.
(back to top)
Justin Fulcher
Fulcher is the founder of RingMD, a telehealth startup based in Singapore. In 2013, Fulcher gained attention when the Singaporean government invested $500,000 in RingMD when he was only 21. His early success in attracting government funding is a notable aspect of his career.
Despite international expansion across Asia, RingMD eventually declared bankruptcy, according to Forbes. This business outcome underscores the volatile nature of startup ventures, even with initial success.
Fulcher, now 32, was recruited by DOGE to supervise reforms at the Veterans Administration (VA). Shortly after DOGE’s arrival, the VA reduced its staff by 1,000 positions. His role at the VA signifies DOGE’s focus on major governmental agencies and potential workforce adjustments.
(back to top)
Joe Gebbia
Gebbia is the billionaire co-founder of Airbnb and Samara, a pre-fabricated tiny home startup that raised $41 million in 2023. He also maintains a personal connection with Elon Musk, who considered purchasing Samara tiny homes last year, as indicated in Tesla filings. His ties to both the tech industry and influential figures broaden his network.
As a DOGE volunteer within the Office of Personnel Management, Gebbia confirmed his role in a post on X following media reports in The New York Times. “My initial DOGE project focuses on enhancing the inefficient and paper-dependent retirement process,” Gebbia stated. His involvement targets operational improvements within key government functions.
Gebbia, a long-time Democratic donor, disclosed that he voted for Trump in 2024 and supports Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed health secretary. This political shift aligns with a growing trend of bipartisan engagement within DOGE.
(back to top)
Mike Gonzalez
Gonzalez founded TraceHQ, an HR startup, in 2019, selling it to Paylocity in 2023 for an undisclosed sum. According to his website, Gonzalez began his career as a product manager at Facebook and collaborated with David Sacks at Zenefits during Sacks’ CEO tenure, prior to launching his own venture. His resume showcases experience in prominent tech companies.
VC David Sacks has joined the Trump administration as its crypto and AI advisor. Gonzalez was part of the finance team during their time at Zenefits. This prior professional relationship connects Gonzalez to influential figures within the administration.
Gonzalez’s LinkedIn profile previously indicated that he joined DOGE full-time earlier this month as a “Senior Advisor” at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Following an inquiry from TechCrunch for comment, the DOGE reference was removed from his LinkedIn profile. This alteration suggests a degree of sensitivity surrounding DOGE affiliations.
Gonzalez has not publicly specified his role at OPM. However, in February, he expressed concerns on LinkedIn regarding the state and process of the federal budget. This public commentary hints at his focus on fiscal matters within his governmental role.
(back to top)
Vinay Hiremath
Hiremath is the co-founder of Loom, a video recording startup acquired by Atlassian in 2023 for $975 million. His significant financial success in the tech sector precedes his foray into public service.
In a personal blog post titled “I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life,” Hiremath detailed his decision to “externalize” his emotions following a breakup by climbing a Himalayan mountain. Subsequently, he opted to work for DOGE, a significant life transition.
His tenure at DOGE lasted approximately one month and involved extensive recruiting efforts. Hiremath noted being added to DOGE-managed Signal groups and “immediately put to work,” indicating a rapid onboarding process and immediate responsibilities.
Hiremath described DOGE’s work as “extremely important” but cited personal needs as the reason for his departure. He canceled plans to relocate to Washington, D.C., choosing to travel to Hawaii instead, as detailed in his post. His brief involvement highlights the varied commitments of individuals working with DOGE.
(back to top)
Brooks Morgan
Morgan is the co-founder and former CEO of Podium Education, an Austin-based edtech startup, according to a press release from last year. While he is not currently listed in a leadership position on the company’s website, his background is rooted in educational technology.
His social media presence is minimal, but reports indicate his involvement in edtech for over a decade, including prior work with a company offering a Facebook application for schools. This history suggests long-term engagement in the digital education sector.
Morgan is reportedly involved in DOGE’s initiatives at the Department of Education, particularly focusing on augmenting or potentially replacing staff with AI technologies, as reported by The New York Times. His role points to DOGE’s interest in leveraging artificial intelligence to reshape educational administration.
(back to top)
Kyle Schutt
Crunchbase lists Schutt as a co-founder of KAMM, a Virginia-based software company, which state records indicate is inactive as of late November 2024. His background includes experience in the software development and startup fields.
Schutt has also worked on WinRed, as WIRED reports, a fundraising platform that claims to have raised $1.8 billion for Republican candidates since 2023. He also served as CTO at REVV, an online fundraising platform utilized by the Republican party. His experience spans both technology and political fundraising domains.
A DOGE member, Schutt is currently on staff at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, according to an internal directory reviewed by Politico. He previously served at the GSA. Reports indicate he has access to FEMA systems and has worked for Outburst Data, a company hosting several Musk-related sites and portions of the DOGE website. This diverse set of involvements highlights his wide-ranging access and connections.
(back to top)
Ethan Shaotran
Shaotran formerly founded Energize.ai, although its website is no longer operational. He also developed several iPhone applications, including “Donald Dash,” a running game themed around Donald Trump. His entrepreneurial ventures include both AI and app development.
In 2024, Shaotran informed Business Insider that he was a 22-year-old computer science student at Harvard managing his startup on his own. The startup, focused on an AI scheduling assistant, had received a $100,000 grant from OpenAI. His early achievements highlight his technical talent and startup acumen.
Shaotran was among DOGE personnel named in a lawsuit by federal employees aiming to prevent DOGE staff from accessing federal records, though he was not named as a defendant. This legal challenge underscores the contentious nature of DOGE’s operations and access to government data.
Reports indicate Shaotran possesses a working GSA email address and requested access to a decade’s worth of GSA data. He also has access to email systems at the Department of Education and backend website access, as reported by NBC. These access permissions raise questions regarding the scope of DOGE’s operational reach across federal agencies.
(back to top)
Brad Smith
Smith is a veteran healthcare entrepreneur. He co-founded Aspire Health, a palliative care company (later acquired by Anthem), and CareBridge, which provides in-home services to Medicaid patients (and reportedly secured a $2.7 billion sale deal with Elevance Health). His career demonstrates significant success in the healthcare sector.
He also co-founded Russell Street Ventures, a healthcare VC firm, and served as CEO of Main Street Health, offering primary care services in rural areas. His experience spans healthcare operations, venture capital, and service delivery.
Smith directed the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation during President Trump’s first term. He is considered a leader within DOGE, alongside Steve Davis, a close associate of Elon Musk. His prior government service and leadership roles position him as a key figure in DOGE’s initiatives.
As ABC News reported, Smith has advocated for privatizing components of Medicaid and Medicare. Within DOGE, Smith has sought access to Medicare payment systems, according to The New York Times. His policy perspectives and access requests signal a focus on fiscal and structural reforms within healthcare programs.
(back to top)
Jordan Wick
Wick co-founded Intercept, a Y Combinator startup. In a 2024 podcast, he mentioned his prior role as an engineer at Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving car company. His background includes experience in both startup and advanced technology sectors.
He is among DOGE personnel granted extensive access to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, according to a lawsuit from former USAID contractors, which names him, though not as a defendant. This access highlights DOGE’s broad data-gathering activities across various agencies.
Wick holds a computer science degree and a master’s degree from MIT, according to archived website information. He also worked at Flexport, a YC-backed logistics startup. His educational background and professional experience emphasize his technical and entrepreneurial skills.
(back to top)
Venture Capitalists
Baris Akis
Akis is a co-founder and president of Human Capital, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm. His leadership position in the VC world brings financial expertise to DOGE’s operations.
Reports indicate he led inquiries into the Treasury Department’s payment systems, as reported by The New York Times. He was also mentioned in a lawsuit concerning DOGE’s legality, although not as a defendant. His involvement touches on sensitive financial and legal aspects of government operations.
Akis marks the second Human Capital connection to DOGE. Amanda Scales, formerly Human Capital’s head of talent, now serves as chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management, the federal government’s HR division. This linkage demonstrates a network of influence between Human Capital and key government positions.
(back to top)
Marc Andreessen
Andreessen co-founded Andreessen Horowitz, a prominent venture capital firm. He publicly supported Trump for president in 2024, a shift from his endorsement of Hillary Clinton in 2016. His political evolution mirrors the changing dynamics within Silicon Valley.
Andreessen has described himself as an “unpaid intern” for DOGE in a Hoover Institution podcast earlier this year, reportedly aiding in recruiting DOGE’s initial personnel, according to the FT. His self-described role and recruitment activities highlight his active participation in DOGE’s formation.
In the same podcast, Andreessen noted that Scott Kupor, former managing partner at a16z and incoming OPM head, is “very aligned” with DOGE’s mission. This endorsement underscores the strategic alignment of key figures in VC and government administration.
(back to top)
Antonio Gracias
Gracias founded and is CEO of Valor Equity Partners, and has a long-standing close association with Elon Musk. Valor has invested in numerous high-profile startups, including Anduril, Dataminr, Eight Sleep, and Reddit. It is particularly recognized for its investments in Musk’s companies such as SpaceX, Neuralink, SolarCity, The Boring Company, and Tesla. His deep ties to Musk amplify his influence within DOGE.
Gracias is well-known for serving on Tesla’s board from 2007 to 2021, including periods before its IPO and during Tesla’s acquisition of SolarCity, a Musk-controlled company, for $2.6 billion. His extensive involvement with Tesla and Musk’s ventures highlights his long-term relationship with the tech magnate.
In a February episode of the VC All-In Podcast, Gracias mentioned his work with DOGE: “I’m not there full-time. I’m in and out a little bit and trying to help where I can.” He also stated DOGE had over 80 full-time members at that point. His part-time advisory role contributes to DOGE’s operational capacity.
He is reportedly now involved with DOGE’s efforts at the Social Security Administration, The New York Times reported, and is one of nine DOGE associates there. Other Valor employees are also part of this Social Security team, according to the NYT. This concentrated involvement indicates a focused effort to impact the operations of the Social Security Administration.
(back to top)
Michael Kratsios
Until recently, Michael Kratsios served as managing director at Scale AI, a data labeling startup that began collaborating with the Pentagon last year to assess AI tools for military applications. His private sector AI expertise is now being applied to governmental contexts.
From 2010 to 2017, Kratsios was employed at Thiel Capital, the firm managing Peter Thiel’s investments. Thiel was an early supporter of Trump in 2016. Kratsios also served as CTO of the U.S. during Trump’s first term. His prior governmental service and connection to Thiel align with DOGE’s broader network.
Kratsios assisted in staffing DOGE in late 2024 by conducting interviews with potential candidates, Bloomberg reported. His recruitment efforts played a role in building DOGE’s personnel.
He is President Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy. During his confirmation hearing, Kratsios, in response to questions regarding potential mass firings of federal employees, stated that it was reasonable for the current administration to evaluate existing talent. His potential leadership role at OSTP and stance on personnel evaluation underscore DOGE’s broader goals for government restructuring and efficiency.
(back to top)
Scott Kupor
Kupor is a managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz and was a16z’s first employee. He is a board member for numerous a16z investments, and a former chairman of the National Venture Capital Association, the VC industry’s lobbying arm. His extensive VC experience and industry connections are now directed toward governmental reform.
President Trump announced in December 2024 his selection of Kupor to serve as director of the Office of Personnel Management. On the same day, Kupor confirmed his involvement with DOGE. His appointment signifies a direct alignment between top government personnel roles and DOGE’s objectives.
The OPM, as the federal government’s HR department, has become a central point for DOGE’s mission to reduce the federal workforce. DOGE personnel are utilizing OPM data and computer systems to gather information on federal employees across agencies, according to a CNN report. This centralized access and data utilization highlight OPM’s pivotal role in DOGE’s restructuring efforts.
(back to top)
Shaun Maguire
Maguire is a partner at Sequoia Capital and previously co-founded Expanse, a cybersecurity firm acquired by Palo Alto Networks for $800 million in 2020. His cybersecurity background and VC position enhance DOGE’s capabilities.
Reports indicate Maguire has assisted in screening potential DOGE candidates. He is a frequent and vocal supporter of DOGE on X, publicly endorsing its mission and activities. His public support and recruitment role amplify DOGE’s visibility and network.
Maguire is an outspoken supporter of President Trump and disclosed a $300,000 donation to Trump’s campaign last summer. His political engagement underscores the partisan dimensions of DOGE’s support network.
(back to top)
Adam Ramada
Ramada formerly served as a managing director at SpringTide Capital, where he facilitated a $12 million investment in ZBiotics, a probiotic drink company. His firm also invested in a SpaceX supplier last year. His investment background provides financial expertise to his governmental role within DOGE.
He was identified as a DOGE member in a temporary restraining order sought by the American Federation of Teachers to restrict DOGE’s access to sensitive information. A federal judge later denied this restraining order. This legal interaction underscores the contentious relationship between DOGE and some established institutions.
In a signed declaration, Ramada stated he began working for DOGE in January, tasked with auditing contracts and programs at the Department of Education for waste, including federal student loans. President Trump, a critic of the Department of Education, recently signed an executive order initiating its closure in the near future. His audit focus aligns with stated administration priorities to reshape the Department of Education.
In a separate declaration, Ramada, also listed as a GSA employee, indicated his assignment to the Labor Department to “improve its information technology and data organization system.” His dual roles and assignments across departments suggest a broad operational scope within DOGE.
(back to top)
Amanda Scales
Scales spent two and a half years at Human Capital, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, advising portfolio companies on talent and HR matters, according to her LinkedIn profile. Her former boss at Human Capital, co-founder Baris Akis, has served as a DOGE advisor. This professional connection highlights the linked networks between Human Capital and DOGE leadership.
Scales currently serves as chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management, the federal government’s central human resources department, according to an OPM internal memo. Her high-level position within OPM places her at the heart of federal personnel management and potential DOGE-led initiatives.
Prior to Human Capital, Scales worked in talent acquisition at Uber, according to her LinkedIn. Her experience in talent management within both the tech sector and now within government positions her as a pivotal figure in personnel-related initiatives at OPM.
(back to top)