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Paras Maniar

Paras Maniar

cofounder text.ai (YC X25) | 3x Exit Experience - Venture, Publicly Traded & Private Equity | JD/MBA

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, United StatesComputer Software
Company
text.ai (YC X25)
Title
Co-Founder
Seniority
Founder
Department
Master Information Technology
Location
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, United States
Industry
Computer Software

About

As both a #littletech entrepreneur and #BigMedia executive, I have a proven track record of leading companies through significant transformations and growth. I’ve recently co-founded text.ai, a Y-Combinator company that revolutionizes chat by bringing AI to the SMS feeds of 5.5 billion users worldwide. I also successfully navigated Bobit through the pandemic and led it to an exit in late 2024 by transitioning its publication business from print to digital, reigniting growth across its event business, and developing a profitable set of digital lead generation solutions. I hold an JD/MBA from Northwestern and went to UC Berkeley for my undergrad (Go Bears!). I am always eager to learn and grow. As my niece and 27 year old co-founders remind me, age is just a number!

Experience

Co-Founder

text.ai (YC X25) · San Francisco, California, United States

Present

Y-Combinator company revolutionizing group chat.

Chief Executive Officer

Bobit · Los Angeles, California, United States

As CEO helped navigate Bobit through the pandemic, manage the transition of its publication business from print to digital, grew opportunities in Event and launched digital lead generation solutions. Successfully sold the the business in October of 2024.

Network Leader

Village Global · Greater Los Angeles Area

Invited by Village Global team to help grow entrepreneurship in Los Angeles. As part of the network I am able to offer great early stage entrepreneurs seed capital and the opportunity to join Network Catalyst, Village Global’s 90 day accelerator program. Support, network and money to get to a strong MVP.

Member of Board of Directors

Localogy

Represented Gannett on the trade association board alongside executives from Meta, Google and Microsoft. Localogy is the only trade association focused on building and growing the $10 Trillion U.S. Local marketplace

President, Local

Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK · Greater Los Angeles Area

Responsible for over $1B in local market sales across Gannett's 109 media organizations in 34 states and ReachLocal's North American sales organization.

Chief Strategy Officer

ReachLocal · Greater Los Angeles Area

Joined ReachLocal in May of 2015 as Chief Strategy Officer with direct responsibility over Corporate Development, Business Development and Marketing. In July of 2017 scope of responsibilities extended to include North American Sales at ReachLocal. ReachLocal was acquired by Gannett in August of 2016.

Member of Board of Directors

Silversheet · Greater Los Angeles Area

Aquired by AMN Healthcare NYSE: AMN

Principal and Head of North America

WPSChallenger · Greater Los Angeles Area

Board Member

EQAL

Founding Executive

EQAL

(acquired by Everyday Health NYSE: EVDY) Served in various leadership roles including: - SVP of Business Development & Strategy - Chief Operating Officer - Chief Strategy Officer & EVP of Corporate Development

Engagement Manager

McKinsey & Company

Education

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management

MBA

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law

JD

University of California, Berkeley

BA, Economics and PEIS (double major)

WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business)

Summer Program

Eötvös Loránd University

Education Abroad Program, Fall Semester

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