Matthew Stepka

Matthew Stepka is Managing Partner of Machina Ventures, an investment firm focused on early-stage companies leveraging artificial intelligence to amplify human potential. He also serves on the boards of Qoria, a child cyber safety company, and the Knight Foundation.

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

Prior to Google, Stepka was Vice President of Pharmacy at drugstore.com, a leading online health and beauty retailer (acquired by Walgreens), and Chief Operating Officer at WorldRes, an online hotel reservations network (acquired by WRI). He began his career as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, advising clients in healthcare, financial services, energy, and technology, after earlier roles as a systems consultant with Price Waterhouse. He also co-founded CyberJava, one of the first Internet cafés, and was a freelance software programmer from an early age.

Stepka holds a Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law, where he published papers on technology and public policy, and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Engineering and Management from Case Western Reserve University. He has served on the World Affairs Council board and is an inaugural Disruptor Foundation Fellow. Stepka is an inactive member of the California State Bar.