For the first time we joined forces with our friends at Startup Grind London and invited member of the founding team at WhatsApp, Eugene Fooksman.

Eugene Fooksman is the founder of the Fooksman Family Foundation and a software pioneer. His philanthropic work follows decades of leadership in Silicon Valley, where as a key developer of messaging service WhatsApp he helped to transform the high-tech landscape.

Eugene kindly agreed to join us and share the early story of WhatsApp with selected group of entrepreneurs from the Startup Grind networking in London and Tel Aviv. As a big bonus, Eugene will join us for virtual business networking.

Born in St Petersburg, Russia to a civil engineer and molecular scientist, Eugene immigrated to the US with his family in 1999. The Fooksmans settled in the Bay Area, where Eugene’s career in startup life began. His professional success was soon complemented by philanthropic activity.

Eugene's commitment to philanthropy has grown throughout his journey: the life-changing connections he has forged, have informed and inspired his philanthropic interests, which span community building, arts and culture initiatives, and the next wave of young philanthropists.

Eugene established the Fooksman Family Foundation in 2018 as a way to participate more fully in his philanthropy. With an eye for innovation that fuels social change, his driving force is positive impact.

Alongside his investments, consultancy and philanthropic work, Eugene enjoys spending time with his two children and experiencing the world through travel.

Join us on Thursday, May 14th, learn from the WhatsApp story and meet Eugene virtually.