MAYA YAEL FRAI
2024 / ARCHIVE
ABOUT ME ——
Maya is an Investor and Entrepreneur with expertise across product management, design, and venture capital. Her experience spans leading tech companies and venture firms, giving her a unique perspective on product development from 0-1 and scaling.
As a Product Manager at Google, she led the launch for MLB live sports (first time monetized) on YouTube during the nation-wide lockdown, led a product pivot to content across eSports, Tentpole Events, Movies & Shows, and led the pilot launch of a new Direct Response ad format for top Media & Entertainment clients. She also spearheaded international expansions and monetization efforts for the Google Food team, including launches in the UK and Japan and new consumer experiences on Google Search + Maps.
In venture capital, Maya has quarterbacked investments from pre-seed to Series B at Village Global, Greylock Partners, and Google Ventures. She has also spent time as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Greylock, focusing on early-stage consumer products in AI. Since 2019, she has been a founding advisor for re—inc, supporting product launches, fundraising, and go-to-market partnerships.
Maya was born and raised in Miami to a Brazilian mother and Israeli father that taught her everything she knows about grit and passion. She started her first company in high school by launching an e-commerce brand and later created a platform to empower women during the #MeToo movement. She studied Computer Science at Cornell University and currently lives in San Francisco.
Writing | Creative
Action Breeds Expertise
Often, the worst decisions come from rationalizing our intuition away. Conversely, the best decisions often stem from trusting our intuition, even when it seems irrational.
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Often, the worst decisions come from rationalizing our intuition away. Conversely, the best decisions often stem from trusting our intuition, even when it seems irrational.
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AUG 2024
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Beyond the Camera and Keyboard
While the camera has certainly changed how we interact with technology and share information, AI is poised to transform the creative process itself.
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While the camera has certainly changed how we interact with technology and share information, AI is poised to transform the creative process itself.
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JULY 2024
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Human Creativity and AI
AI can reason. AI can notice patterns. But the most interesting nuances, insights, and ideas come from humans noticing small things that lead to next-generation ideas.
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AI can reason. AI can notice patterns. But the most interesting nuances, insights, and ideas come from humans noticing small things that lead to next-generation ideas.
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MAY 2024
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Drive it like you stole it
Reflecting on how to take advantage of limitless, fleeting opportunities, inspired by Greta Gerwig.
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Reflecting on how to take advantage of limitless, fleeting opportunities, inspired by Greta Gerwig.
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FEB 2024
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Own the room
Techniques and lessons learned from a recent workshop with Bill Hoogterp, coaching expert on communication and public speaking.
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Techniques and lessons learned from a recent workshop with Bill Hoogterp, coaching expert on communication and public speaking.
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Joining Village Global
Thrilled to join the Village Global team to focus on early-stage company building and investing. Village recently announced a $250M Fund III, with Reid Hoffman joining as Chairman, to back the best entrepreneurs at inception.
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Thrilled to join the Village Global team to focus on early-stage company building and investing. Village recently announced a $250M Fund III, with Reid Hoffman joining as Chairman, to back the best entrepreneurs at inception.
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NOV 2023
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Tokyo in Ten
In December, I had the pleasure of joining our first Village Global off-site in Tokyo. We had a chance to get to know each other personally, co-observe Tokyo tradition and rituals, and strategize core efforts.
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In December, I had the pleasure of joining our first Village Global off-site in Tokyo. We had a chance to get to know each other personally, co-observe Tokyo tradition and rituals, and strategize core efforts.
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Finding the right environment to build
Building something new: the critical role of the right environment in nurturing new ideas.
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Building something new: the critical role of the right environment in nurturing new ideas.
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NOV 2023
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
The Design-First Approach
The best products are those that emulate human nature rather than try to change it. Developing a functional product that resonates with users requires a design-first approach to innovation, and that it must be rooted in the understanding of how people work, think, & take action.
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The best products are those that emulate human nature rather than try to change it. Developing a functional product that resonates with users requires a design-first approach to innovation, and that it must be rooted in the understanding of how people work, think, & take action.
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Autonomous Careers
The pursuit of an autonomous career path can fulfill the human need to feel fully utilized. Web3 is one manifestation of that desire for autonomy and meaningful contribution.
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The pursuit of an autonomous career path can fulfill the human need to feel fully utilized. Web3 is one manifestation of that desire for autonomy and meaningful contribution.
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First 90 days, 30 lessons in venture
One of my favorite visualizations from Jack Butcher is the one above, expressing “Noise is what you say. Signal is what they remember.” If there’s anything I’ve heard the most over the last 90 days, it’s the importance of optimizing for high signal over noise.
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One of my favorite visualizations from Jack Butcher is the one above, expressing “Noise is what you say. Signal is what they remember.” If there’s anything I’ve heard the most over the last 90 days, it’s the importance of optimizing for high signal over noise.
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MAY 2022
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
A Year at YouTube
Sharing a bit about my experience and what I've learned working on the Strategic Bets product team at YouTube, focusing on live TV and streaming monetization.
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Sharing a bit about my experience and what I've learned working on the Strategic Bets product team at YouTube, focusing on live TV and streaming monetization.
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Launching on Google Search
I joined Google in the Summer 2019 to work on Explore Search, a team that focuses on helping users understand every topic they query to the point of infinite exploration and serendipitous discovery.
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I joined Google in the Summer 2019 to work on Explore Search, a team that focuses on helping users understand every topic they query to the point of infinite exploration and serendipitous discovery.
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Working at Rent the Runway
I led subscription strategy and analysis for first-time and recurring users to boost growth, retention, and activation rates. Launched new style community feature during RTR Hack Week.
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I led subscription strategy and analysis for first-time and recurring users to boost growth, retention, and activation rates. Launched new style community feature during RTR Hack Week.
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