Matthew Stepka

Matthew Stepka is Managing Partner of Machina Ventures, an investment firm focused on early stage, artificial intelligence and data science enabled companies.

Until recently, Stepka was Vice President, Business Operations and Strategy at Google, where he led and incubated strategic initiatives, especially mission-driven projects with high social impact. Over nine years with the company, he led efforts ranging from expanding internet access, developing clean energy, strengthening freedom of expression and democracy, innovating in robotics, establishing novel pricing strategies and extending Google’s footprint in emerging markets, especially Africa.

Prior to joining Google, Stepka was Vice President, Pharmacy for drugstore.com, a leading online health and beauty retailer (acquired by Walgreens), and Chief Operating Officer for WorldRes, an online hotel reservations network (acquired by WRI). He was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company for over five years, serving clients in the healthcare, financial services, energy and technology sectors. Prior to that, he was a systems consultant with Price Waterhouse. In addition, Stepka co-founded CyberJava, one of the first Internet cafes, and was a freelance software programmer from an early age.

Stepka holds a Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law, where he authored various papers on public policy related to technology. He has two Bachelor of Science degrees, in Computer Engineering and Management from Case Western Reserve University. He has served on the Board of World Affairs Council and is an inaugural Disruptor Foundation Fellow. Stepka is a member of the California State Bar.