MAYA YAEL FRAI
2025 / ARCHIVE
ABOUT ME ——
Maya is a product leader, founder, and investor with expertise in product management, venture capital, and design. Her work spans leading technology companies, investing in early-stage startups, and building consumer businesses.
At Google, she is a Product Lead in Applied AI on Search, shaping how billions of users discover information. Previously, she led the launch of MLB Live Sports on YouTube, spearheaded international expansion and monetization for Google Search and Maps, and worked on AI-driven discovery experiences.
In venture capital, Maya has invested in and advised startups from pre-seed to Series B at firms including Village Global, Greylock Partners, and Google Ventures. She was an Entrepreneur in Residence at Greylock, focused on consumer AI, and has been a founding advisor to re—inc since its inception in 2019.
Maya leads several creative projects, currently leading the transformation of her family-owned fine jewelry business, redefining modern luxury by merging technology with timeless craftsmanship. She is also a writer and poet, exploring themes of identity, ambition, and relationships. She is currently working on her debut poetry collection, set to be published in summer 2025.
Born and raised in Miami to a Brazilian mother and Israeli father, Maya launched her first e-commerce company in high school, later created a platform for women’s empowerment during the #MeToo movement, and has been a lifelong builder at the intersection of technology, commerce, and storytelling.
She studied Computer Science at Cornell University and is based in San Francisco. She is an avid cyclist, a lover of film and art festivals, and a traveler who has explored over 30 countries.
Writing | Creative
The Purveyor of Taste
The more I work with AI, the more its power becomes apparent. But so does something even more fundamental: AI is not the arbiter of quality—we are. We are the purveyors of taste.
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The more I work with AI, the more its power becomes apparent. But so does something even more fundamental: AI is not the arbiter of quality—we are. We are the purveyors of taste.
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MAR 2025
Made in: San Francisco, CA
Made in: San Francisco, CA
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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